A traveller's reflection: 2025 Kembara Ramadhan Day 03: Yala, Thailand

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Wednesday, 19 March 2025

2025 Kembara Ramadhan Day 03: Yala, Thailand

"Don't worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition...” – Abraham Lincoln

(Yala Central Mosque, Thailand)

Day 03: Wednesday, 12 March 2025

Route: Narathiwat - Yala
Distance: 110 km
Hotel: The Linux Garden Hotel, Yala

The wake up alarm was at 3.30 am. Solat tahjud and warm the food for sahur.

(Having our sahur in the room)

By 4.30 am we were already walking a short 10-minute distance to the new renovated Raja Legeh Menara Mosque for subuh prayers. The Old Central Mosque, also known as Al-Jum'iyah Mosque stands as a magnificent architectural gem in Narathiwat. Renowned for its towering clock tower, this mosque serves as a prominent landmark, easily recognizable and accessible to worshippers and visitors alike. The original wooden mosque was built in 1938 in the Sumatran-style during the reign of Raja Legeh, the last ruler of the Malay Islamic kingdom of Pattani, Tengku Ngah Shamsuddin. After his death, he was buried in front of the mosque. The mosque's serene atmosphere provides a peaceful sanctuary for reflection and worship, making it a beloved spiritual refuge for many. It is an active and popular mosque with a bustling market nearby.

(The clock tower near the old Central Mosque)

(Raja Legeh Menara Mosque)

(Beautifully renovated and expanded)

(A separate wing for the Muslimah)

(The main prayer hall)

Had a short nap till 10.30 am when it was time to check-out. Drove out of Narathiwat towards Yala on the 3060 highway. Detoured to visit the giant replica of the Al-Quran at Kampung Pak Pungoh halfway on the route to Yala. The 'Al-Israa' verse is written on the replica.To further complement the presence of the Al-Quran replica, local residents helped build a replica of the Hira' Cave and Uhud Hill near the replica to commemorate the sacrifice of the Prophet Muhammad in developing the message of Islam. After it was built in 2023, the replica became a tourist attraction. Sadly, it was not well maintained when we were there.

(A large rehal replica at the entrance of Masjid Ban Phapu Ngo_

(The giant Quran replica)

Arrived at Yala around noon and checked-in The Linux Garden Hotel at RM110/night. We stayed here during our Kembara Ramadhan in 2019. The room was comfortable and spacious. The only set back was the limited parking space.

(The Linux Garden Hotel, Yala our lodging for a night)

We drove to recce the Yala Central Mosque. Parking was a bit difficult as it was located on the main busy streets next to the market. We plan to come here for subuh prayers tomorrow morning.

We performed our solat jamak Zohor/Asar at the green cosy residential mosque of Masjid Subulus Salam, a short driving distance from the Central Mosque. The Nazir of the Mosque, En. Hussein, invited us to join their iftar and tarawih prayers here tonight but we declined as we had other plans.

(Masjid Subulus Salam)

(Performing jamak prayers at the green mosque)

Visited Masjid Yarna Tue Bo or Pink Mosque or Masjid Haji Turbo for some photo shots. This mosque is located on a busy street and parking our bigfoot was quite a challenge.

(A bright pink Masjid Haji Turbo)

We performed solat Maghrib at Masjid Darul Muhajireen Yala. Iftar was provided but we decided to break fast with kurma and mineral water in the car as there was a long queue for food. The Darul Muhajireen Mosque is a busy traders mosque next to the Tambon Sateng Market. We had initially planned to have our iftar and tarawih prayers here. But there was a surprisingly large crowd for Iftar. We performed maghrib prayers here then drove to the Front Garden Cafe located nearby for nasi briyani daging and roti canai dinner.

(Masjid Darul Muhajireen, Yala)

(The Front Garden Cafe for dinner)

(Nasi Briyani Daging)

After dinner, we performed eight raka'at of tarawih complemented with three raka'at witir prayers at Masjid Nurul Iman of Yala. It is quite a large mosque with ample parking space around it. It has a distinctive blue dome that can be seen from afar. That was how we found this mosque. We spotted the blue dome from Masjid Darul Muhajireen. The mosque is quite large but looks unfinished as its outer walls and windows were unpainted.