Page 886 - Proceedings Collega2023

SITUATING HERITAGE MOSQUE: A RETROSPECTIVE NOTES FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MASJID
IHSANIAH ISKANDARIAH, PERAK

ABSTRACT

Masjid Ihsaniah Iskandariah in Kampung Kuala Dal, Padang Rengas, Perak, Malaysia is a mosque
that has been granted with the heritage status. This mosque is unique in terms of its traditional
architectural arts and holding unique construction properties. During the past few years, the mosque that
was built in 1938, could not be used at all due to several damages. Therefore, the Perak state government
has built a new mosque next to the Masjid Ihsaniah for the use of the villagers and its surroundings.
However, the state government in collaboration with the National Heritage Department, the Ministry of
Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia has repaired the damage and the successful conservation processes
made the Masjid Ihsaniah standing finely while maintaining its original features and concept. This
qualitative study explored the understanding and experience of the Mosque Development Committee
Members in helping the Heritage Department and the state government to promote and educate the local
and surrounding communities about heritage mosque. The data were collected through in-depth
interview sessions with selected informants from the Mosque Development Committee members.
Secondary data were also be used to obtain information related to heritage mosques from the perspective
of local wisdom and the agency. The results of this study outlined that the committee members were
aware about the identity of the heritage mosque and its unique history. In addition, they were able to
explain basic and additional information to the visitors. The committee members raised their main concern
about the huge budget needed in the conservation project. In conclusion, they would continue to manage
the mosque with proper restoration budget and training support to prepare them as an expert for their
valuable heritage asset within the community.
Keywords: Heritage mosque; Masjid Ihsaniah Iskandariah; National Heritage Department; public
awareness; Village Development Committee Members; local wisdom.

Pengenalan dan Objektif Kajian

Pemuliharaan bangunan warisan di mana sahaja di dunia ini adalah usaha berterusan yang
dilakukan untuk mengekalkan legasi negara. Antara bangunan yang menjadi tumpuan konservasi adalah
stesen keretapi, bangunan pentadbiran, istana dan sekolah. Tempat ibadah juga tidak terkecuali daripada
menjalani usaha pemuliharaan tersebut. Malahan, tempat ibadah menjadi keutamaan untuk dipulihara
kerana ia adalah pusat tumpuan penganut agama tersebut melakukan ibadah dan berfungsi sebagai
institusi penting dalam kehidupan orang beragama. Faktor sedemikian menjadikan tempat ibadah antara
keutamaan dalam usaha konservasi oleh pemegang taruh berkaitan seperti agensi kerajaan, persatuan
keagamaan dan komuniti setempat.

Kedudukan Malaysia sebagai negara umat Islam menjadikan masjid sebagai antara bangunan
warisan yang terkenal kerana keunikan seni binanya selain memainkan fungsi keagamaan, sosial, politik
dan ekonomi. Beberapa buah masjid warisan masih kekal sebagai aset negara dan digunakan sehingga
kini. Tiga buah masjid tua yang masih kekal di Malaysia adalah Masjid Kampung Laut, Kelantan (dibina
pada 1349 Masehi); Masjid Raja, Lenggong, Perak (dibina pada 1541 Masehi) dan Masjid Kuala Dulang,
Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan (dibina pada 1618 Masehi). Ketiga-tiga masjid yang berusia ratusan tahun ini
dibina tanpa menggunakan paku yang menjadi bahagian penting identiti sesebuah masjid warisan di
Nusantara. Masjid warisan lain yang juga mendapat perhatian umum adalah Masjid Zahir, Kedah; Masjid
Kapitan Keling, Pulau Pinang dan Masjid Ubudiah, Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Kewujudan masjid warisan di
seluruh negara adalah membuktikan usaha konservasi sentiasa dilakukan bagi memulihara monumen

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 873 -