CULTURAL AND ISLAMIC PRESERVATION

Islam’s entry into the Malay world brought not only revelation; it also saw mosques become a dominant fixture in society: a public place to perform prayers, study books and receive council. The early designs of traditional mosques played an important role in maintaining the Islamic philosophy of the Malays while keeping features required in a tropical environment.

A prominent Malaysian architect, Dr. Ghafar Ahmad, explains that five main factors govern the architectural style, size and placement of mosques in Malaysia: ethnic culture, climatic conditions, colonialism, technology and political environment. He adds that traditional mosques and those from the colonial period should be considered part of the national heritage, since these styles portray unique characteristics of local architecture.

With an overwhelming number of traditional and contemporary mosques scattered throughout the country, do the religious structures still heed the purpose of convening believers according to the teachings of Islam, regardless of the foreign origins of the buildings’ physical design and symbolism? Is architecture just a functional building, or is it art with an intent to uplift the spirit?

And is the Malaysian situation a paradox that matters?

As a fierce critic of Malaysia’s modern day mosque manifestations, Rasdi argues that a reliance on a revivalism of foreign traditions makes a derogatory statement. He questions whether Malaysian Muslims “have an inferiority complex to that of the Middle East” since the Qur’an and Sunna make no reference to the iconoclastic stature of domes, arches and minarets.

Do Muslims outside the Middle East yearn for such a pan-Islamic identity—instead of a national one—as defined by the symbols and structures of authentic holy sites? Does Islam insist on such a unifying imagery or is it necessary to promote this? Some may dispute that history restricts us from finding new symbolism that reflects the spread of Islam in the span of its geographical grasp. Others may see the strength in tying Islamic threads to its birthplace by maintaining its fundamental symbols.

On an aesthetic level, modern Malaysia boasts a strong Islamic architectural influence with striking styles built on a grand scale. As the country moves toward its own goal of achieving “developed nation” status by the year 2020, it may have its sights set on a new image: One provided by the symbolism of monuments that exalts the country’s progress and place in the world.

Rick Gregory is a writer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.