George Town's Lebuh Acheh - 'the second Jeddah' immortalised in Penang haj gallery

New Straits Times

6 hours ago

GEORGE TOWN: Nestled among the bustling tourist spots at the Unesco World Heritage Site, here is an area that once served as a vital hub for Muslims in the region embarking on their haj pilgrimage.
Lebuh Acheh was historically a significant gathering point for haj pilgrims from various regions of the Malay Archipelago, including Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Thailand, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.
This location served as both a spiritual and physical preparation centre for the pilgrimage.
The Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, established in 1808, acted as a place of worship, a venue for haj briefings, and temporary accommodation for pilgrims.
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy and Civilisation Studies, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Associate Professor Dr Aiza Maslan@Baharudin said the era of sea travel for pilgrims was so vibrant at the time that the gathering point for pilgrims before departure was located at Lebuh Acheh, which came to be known as the "Second Jeddah" among pilgrims and locals alike.
She said Lebuh Acheh serves as a historical artery connecting Malaysia to Makkah and symbolises regional Muslim unity in fulfilling the haj pilgrimage.
Endowment houses, madrasah, and warehouses were established to support the needs of pilgrims.
"Lebuh Acheh also became a hub for economic activities during haj season.
Locals took the opportunity to trade goods such as supplies, food, clothing, batik fabrics, and more.
"It was almost like a 24-hour fair due to the presence of a large number of pilgrims and their families.
"Interestingly, the traders were multiethnic — including Chinese and Indians, not just Malays," she said in an exclusive interview with Bernama at the Penang Haj Gallery in Lebuh Acheh.
Since Lebuh Acheh was the central gathering point for pilgrims, Aiza said that 'Sheikh Haji,' licensed haj agents monitored by the Penang Haj Control Centre, played a crucial role.
As no formal body had been established to regulate haj affairs, these matters were handled by individuals, agents, shipping companies, and Sheikhs, who managed everything from ticketing to accommodation in Jeddah and Makkah.
"These were the individuals responsible for preparing haj passes and passports, purchasing ship tickets, and making lodging arrangements in Jeddah.
"They also communicated with Sheikhs in Jeddah and handled the 'Sahara box,' a storage chest used by pilgrims.
"These Sheikhs served as the backbone of the haj logistics system before the establishment of Tabung Haji, with ship ticket prices ranging from RM769 to RM1,000, depending on the class," she said.
Aiza, who earned a PhD in the History of Malay Haj from Universiti Malaya, said sea voyages for the pilgrimage began around 1786.
These journeys were made using cargo ships, a fact documented in the diary of Sheikh Omar Basyir, a well-known scholar from Penang.
"In 1950, pilgrims requested a dedicated ship for the haj.
"The first such ship to operate from Penang was the Tyndareus, a former warship that was converted after the end of World War II, with the capacity to carry up to 2,500 passengers," she said.
She lauded the effort by Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang (YIPP) to establish the Penang Haj Gallery at Lebuh Acheh, which once functioned as a haj centre and ticketing office from 1828 until the 1960s.
The gallery, she said, preserves essential historical records of the pilgrims' journey in fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam.
It evokes nostalgia for the hardships faced along the way, including cramped voyages and the necessity of bringing multiple bags and a 'Sahara box' for the pilgrimage.
YIPP chairman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid said that the gallery, being the only one of its kind in Malaysia, aims to revive the history and experiences of Muslims who once undertook the haj in this manner.
He said the gallery has welcomed over 10,000 visitors from Malaysia and various countries, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Singapore, since its opening this year.
It has also been officially recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records as the country's first haj gallery.
"It is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm, showcasing historical items used by pilgrims and offering insight into Malaysia's spiritual connection to haj," he said.
The Penang Haj Gallery features around 40 exhibits, including the book 'Chateten ka-Tanah Suci', old postage and coins, pieces of the Kiswah (Kaaba cloth), and photographs of ships that once ferried pilgrims to Makkah.