History

 

Masjid India was built in 1863.

It is shown in a map published in 1889. The map was drawn by W T Wood of the Kuala Lumpur Land Office.

According Mr. J.M. Gullick, a member of the Malayan Civil Service, there were two mosques in Kampung Rawa (now Malacca Street and Ampang Street).

One was in Java Street (now Jalan Tun Perak), and the other was in the North West of Malay Street where Masjid India now stands.

There was a Muslim burial site on a tongue of land between the Klang and Gombak Rivers, where Masjid Jameh now stands. The burial site was closed in 1892. Masjid Jameh was built at this site in 1910. The mosque in Java Street was closed. Masjid India continued to function.

Masjid India was initially a small mosque. It was built with bricks and timber. The construction was financed by Indian Muslim merchants who lived and traded around Batu Road (now Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman). There was no piped water facility in the Masjid. Many went to the nearby Klang River for ablution.

To accommodate the growing number of Indian Muslim and other worshippers, an extension was made to the Masjid in 1900. A wooden annexure was constructed in 1939. Another extension was constructed in 1952.

As the only Indian Muslim Mosque in the town centre, Masjid India had to accommodate Indian Muslims from outside of the town centre. Many came for the Friday prayers. Further extension was not possible due to space constraints.

In 1962 a committee was formed to build a three storey mosque. The old building was pulled down in 1964. The foundation was laid on 11th September 1962 by His Highness, the Sultan of Selangor. On 29th June 1964, the Sultan officially opened the new three storey mosque.

Located in the busy commercial centre of the city, the Masjid is used by various Muslim communities, including foreign tourists and businessmen. In the ‘90s the Masjid was again faced with the problem of inadequate space and facilities.

In 1999 a massive renovation took place. A basement was constructed to provide more toilets and space for ablution. Additional space for prayers was added above the basement. Separate ablution space and toilet facilities for women were also provided.

In 2002, the entire mosque building was given a face-lift by cladding polished granite slabs.

Renovation plans have been approved to upgrade the main prayer hall including the mihrab and the mimbar. Work is expected to begin in mid-2008.

More condominiums have been built within walking distance from the mosque. Both local and foreign tourism are also increasing. These have once again created the need for more space and facilities. Many are performing the Friday congregational prayer in the street. There is no more space for further extension to Masjid India. One solution is to acquire adjacent buildings and make them part of the Mosque.