A traveller's reflection: 2025 Kembara Ramadhan Day 08: Alor Setar, Kedah

"The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well. -John D. Rockefeller Jr.

(Masjid Zahir, Alor Setar)

Day 08: Monday, 17 March 2025
Route: Satun - Alor Setar
Distance: 139 km
Hotel: AST Hotel, Alor Setar

We had nasi with sambal bilis and kacang with a bowl of Maggi for sahur.

(Nasi and Sambal kacang bilis for sahur)

We plan to perform Subuh prayers at Masjid Buket Bu Nga, a short driving distance from our resort. We arrived before azan subuh and the mosque was still dark and the gate was locked. We decided to drive to the Satun Central Mosque for subuh prayers instead.

(Subuh Prayers at the Central Mosque)

(A lone grave of the founder of the Mambang Mosque)

Took a refreshing nap after Subuh. By 10.00 am checked-out and headed towards the Thailand/Malaysia Border Crossing at Wang Prachan. Stopped to visit a few mosques along the way.

Our first stop was at the Bukit Bunga Mosque, located in the heart of Satun. The mosque showcases stunning Islamic architecture with elegant minarets and intricately designed domes, providing for picturesque photographs. Intricate calligraphy and decorative motifs adorn the mosque, each telling a story of faith and artistry. It is worth the visit. Only roadside parking is available.

(Welcome to Masjid Bukit Bunga)

(Bukit Bunga Mosque)

Next we stopped at Masjid Darul Jannah, Satun. We were here in our June 2017 Kembara Ramadhan Satun where we had our iftar and performed the tarawih prayers here. This mosque is on the main Satun road opposite the Satun Provincial Islamic Committee Office. The Meesuk Hotel where we stayed during our June 2017 Kembara Ramadhan Satun is about only a hundred metres away. We rode our KeTaM 1190 then.

(Masjid Darul Jannah, Satun)

(The entrance to the main prayer hall)

(In 2017, we had iftar along this corridor)

We visited the Masjid Al Hashimi, Satun. This Al-Hashimi Mosque in Thailand is an architectural gem that stands as a testament to the rich cultural diversity of the region. This mosque combines traditional Islamic design elements with intricate Thai craftsmanship, creating a beautiful masterpiece replica of The Dome Of The Rock of Baitul Muqaddis, Palestine. The elegant dome, and vibrant mosaic tiles create a sense of grandeur and tranquility. It was closed when we were there. There is a Maahad Tahfiz located near the mosque.

(Masjid Al Hashimi, Satun)

(Maahad Tahfiz Al-quran Assalam, Satun)

Next to Masjid Darutakwa Kokpradu in Satun. The last time we were here, the signage of the mosque was not placed yet. This mosque caters for the surrounding mainly Muslim community.

(Masjid Darutakwa Kokpradu, Satun)

A short distance away was Masjid Darusoliheen in Mueang Satun. This is an active mosque with an equally active madrasah attached. There are no foreign students in the madrasah.

(Masjid Darusoliheen, Satun)

The last mosque to visit in Satun was the Khuan Don Central Mosque. The old name of Khuan Don was Duson which is derived from its original Malay name, Dusun. This Khuan Don Central Mosque is located near the busy Khuan Don District Bazaar. There is the Masjid Islamic Education Center (Tadika) which has nine teachers and close to two hundred students. It is a large and active mosque.

(Khuan Don Central Mosque)

(The main prayer room)

We crossed the Wang Prachan Khuan Don border into Wang Kelian, Perlis, Malaysia. We were the only travellers crossing the border at the moment. Cross border procedures were smooth and efficient on both sides.

(Driving towards the Thailand/Malaysia border)

(Wang Prachan Border Crossing)

(Entering the state of Perlis)

We detoured to Wang Kelian View Point, one of the tourist attraction in Perlis. It's 304 meters above sea level. The Wang Kelian View Point has several photo opportunity spots. An electric buggy takes visitors from the entry on the main road to the Viewpoint for RM10/pax. Visitors can also opt to walk up. We took the buggy since it was a very hot day. Bought some magnets for souvenirs.

(Riding the electric buggy to the peak)

(An attraction in Wang Kelian)

(Sightseeing on a hot scorching afternoon)

(A panoramic view from the peak)

On the way, visited Masjid Al Hakim, Padang Malau, Beseri, Perlis. Previously, on the same site there was an old wooden mosque which was demolished to make way for the current mosque. The pulpit of this old mosque was made of wood and carved with fine craftsmanship skills and was installed without using nails. However, when the old mosque was to be demolished to make way for the construction of a new mosque, the pulpit was moved to the Kampong Semadong surau which is where the Jamek Beseri mosque is now located. It has been reported that the pulpit has not been brought back to this Padang Malau Mosque.

(A nice sunny afternoon)

(Masjid Al-Hakim Padang Malau, Perlis)

Arrived in Alor Setar around 3.30 pm and checked in AST Hotel at Rm80/night. Once we got our room key we went to visit Masjid Al-Aman which are located a short driving distance from our hotel. Masjid Al Aman of Simpang Kuala, is a busy mosque in Alor Setar. It offers home stay facilities for travellers. This was the closest mosque from our AST Hotel in Alor Setar.

(Masjid Al-Amin, Alor Setar)

Next we drove to Masjid Al Ghuffran. This Al Ghuffran or Akar Peluru Mosque of Alor Setar was built according to the concept of most mosques in Africa and the Arab world. The square roof shape of this mosque is equipped with a main dome in the middle and is accompanied by four small domes placed at each of the four corners of the roof. A single minaret is built separately from the main building. We planned to come here for Subuh prayers tomorrow morning.

(Masjid Al-Ghuffran, Alor Setar)

Back at the hotel, after freshening up, we drove back to Masjid Zahir for Iftar. The Zahir Mosque is the state mosque in Alor Setar, Kedah. It was built in British Malaya in 1912. This mosque is one of the grandest and oldest mosques in Malaysia. It is also recognised as one of the most beautiful mosque in the world. People from all corners of the state gathered at this historic Masjid Zahir to have iftar and later performed maghrib, isya and tarawih prayers here. Early this evening patrons layed out picnic mats to prepare for iftar in the well maintained courtyard. It is a great tourist spot for locals and foreigners.