Masjid Jamek Malaysia Heritage

1.0 Introduction

Malaysia is a country with a rich diversity of architectural and historic buildings. Offen known for its’ multi national, and broad cultural diversity, this country is blessed with history and cultural effects which forms its national identity. Malaysia is also a popular country for its fast and rapid developments still maintain a significant cultural properties such as Sultan Abdul Samad’s building, Masjid Jamek in Kuala Lumpur, Tengkera Mosque in Malacca, statues and other prominent architectural footprints. These old buildings remain strong, clearly shows the unique architectural heritage and priceless of historic buildings. Along with the other historic building, traditional mosque has long known for its unique, and history contribution in the nation. Remaining architectural heritage are never cleared from demolition elements hence preservation is a essential actions to keep the cultural property from being ruined by process of modernization and architectural revival. In Spanish term, the word mosque is ‘Mezquitta’, which means Muslims house of worship.

Jamek Mosque is also known as Masjid Jamek. Jamek mosque is a elegant and earliest mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia surrounded by the city. Jamek Mosque is located at the junction of the Klang and Gombak River. Jamek Mosque was designed by a British architect, Arthur Benison Hubbac. Jamek Mosque was officially opened by the Sultan of Selangor on 23rd of December in 1909. Besides that, "Jamek" is an Arabic word that means a place where people gather to worship god. It is also assigned to as "Friday Mosque" by the locals. It is because Malay peoples went to mosque worship god every Friday. Jamek Mosque is one of the Kuala Lumpur's historical place. In year 1850, the miners would disembark here their equipment and rules. Jamek Mosque was the main mosque in the central of Kuala Lumpur until The National Mosque was built in the year of 1965. Jamek Mosque cost RM32,625 and the money was lifted by contribution from the Malaysian community and Government funds. Its palm trees and the location on the banks of the Klang and Gombak rivers afford a peaceful setting that supplement the Jamek Mosque's elegant domed tower.

Meaning of Heritage

People's heritage can be described as the practices and traditions that are passed on from parents to children. Heritage is also about what has been passed on from the family, community and place where people have been raised. For example a person may have grown up in a family of medical professionals or in a proudly Zulu family where the old customs are still followed. This is part of their heritage. People also have a national heritage. A person who was born in South Africa has a South African heritage. This also means they have an African heritage because they were born on this continent.

There are different types of heritage. A country’s natural heritage is its beautiful environment and natural resources, like gold and water. Areas that are very special and where animals or plants are in danger of extinction like the St. Lucia Wetlands and uKhahlamba Drakensberg Parks in KwaZulu Natal are world heritage sites. They are respected and protected against harm.

Cultural heritage is formed by those things or expressions that show the creativity of people. These can be special monuments, like a building, sculpture, painting, cave dwelling or anything important because of its history, artistic or scientific value. The styles of buildings can also be part of our cultural heritage because of their architecture, where they are built or what they were used for. Robben Island, The Cradle of Humankind at the caves of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai in Gauteng, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the ancient city of Mapungubwe in Limpopo are all examples of South Africans cultural heritage. Cultural Heritage is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Cultural Heritage is often expressed as either Intangible or Tangible Cultural Heritage (ICOMOS, 2002).

Defination of Cultural Heritage

The definition of the term “Cultural Heritage” has been evolving throughout the 20th century from an approach referring exclusively to "monuments", mainly single buildings, a concept which has been successively broadened, considering groups of buildings (ensembles), natural and man-made sites, arriving at a definition which includes both tangible and intangible heritage and the close interrelations between the two. According to the definition by UNESCO, objects and land/seascapes belonging to cultural heritage distinguish themselves for their "outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science". Natural heritage can be defined as "natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view..." and " ... areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation" and natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty". The close interrelation between the cultural heritage and (national, regional, local) identity introduced in the last decades of the 20th century, to the consideration of intangible heritage as the "mainspring of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development" an element in need for safeguarding. Intangible heritage comprises, according to the definition provided by the specific convention adopted by UNESCO in 2003: "(a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; (b) performing arts; (c) social practices, rituals and festive events; (d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; (e) traditional craftsmanship." As part of human activity Cultural Heritage produces tangible representations of the value systems, beliefs, traditions and lifestyles. As an essential part of culture as a whole, Cultural Heritage, contains these visible and tangible traces form antiquity to the recent past. Cultural Heritage is a wide concept. We prefer to concentrate on the similarities between the various heritages sectors, instead of on their differences.

What is Cultural Heritage?  Cultural Heritage can be distinguished in Built Environment which is buildings, townscapes and archaeological remains. Besides, it also can be distinguished in Natural Environment (Rural landscapes, Coasts and shorelines, Agricultural heritage),  and Artefacts (Books & Documents, Objects, Pictures).

Heritage Cycle

The Heritage Cycle diagram gives us an idea how we can make the past part of our future. In a clockwise direction the wedges and arrows read by understanding (cultural heritage) which people value it, by valuing it people want to care for it, by caring for it and it will help people enjoy it. From enjoying it will comes a thirst to understand and etc.