Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation

Masjid (mosque) plays a significant role in the life of a Muslim. Throughout history, the old masjids of the old cities and towns reflect the acculturation of Islamic faith with the local culture that embraced the religion. This paper demonstrates through experiential learning how acculturation of...

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Main Authors: Abdul Rahim, Zaiton, Mohd Nawawi, Norwina, Denan, Zuraini, Abdul Majid, Noor Hanita, Abdullah, Fadzidah
Format: Proceeding Paper
Language:English
English
English
Published: 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/1/Main_Program_232019-08-23-04-53-41pm.82019-08-23-04-53-41pm.20192019-08-23-04-53-41pm.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/2/IMG_0025.HEIC
http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/3/Symbolism%20and%20meaning%20in%20Old%20Masjid%20Architecture%20-ISLAH2019.pdf
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author Abdul Rahim, Zaiton
Mohd Nawawi, Norwina
Denan, Zuraini
Abdul Majid, Noor Hanita
Abdullah, Fadzidah
author_facet Abdul Rahim, Zaiton
Mohd Nawawi, Norwina
Denan, Zuraini
Abdul Majid, Noor Hanita
Abdullah, Fadzidah
author_sort Abdul Rahim, Zaiton
building IIUM Repository
collection Online Access
description Masjid (mosque) plays a significant role in the life of a Muslim. Throughout history, the old masjids of the old cities and towns reflect the acculturation of Islamic faith with the local culture that embraced the religion. This paper demonstrates through experiential learning how acculturation of Islamic faith and culture of the people in the Malay Archipelago gives symbolic meanings to the masjid architecture and enhances the spatial as well as the spiritual experience of the people. The old masjid in the Kerinchi region of Sumatra, Indonesia, was selected as the case studies. In the process of the research, important aspects of the religion and culture were encoded, presented and communicated in the form of architectural features of the masjid, giving meanings and heightened the spiritual experience of the users. The symbolic meanings made through architectural manifestation, in physical form, both structural and non-structural components of the masjid, enriches and gives a distinctive and unique character to the masjid architecture. The symbolic meanings in the old masjid architecture of Kerinci are simplified abstractions to manifest the worldview of the local people based on the spirit of Islam. The paper concluded that incorporating symbolism that does not impede Islamic teachings or the shariah in designing a masjid can enhance and even exalted the religious spirit of users while providing distinct character to the masjid. Old masjids are the best example of how architecture can play a significant role is not only as a focal congregational space for the daily worshippers but can also enhance their spiritual experiences. In the same process, the physical masjid naturally creates an identity to the place -charmingly.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T17:41:28Z
format Proceeding Paper
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institution International Islamic University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language English
English
English
last_indexed 2025-11-14T17:41:28Z
publishDate 2019
recordtype eprints
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spelling iium-776382020-01-08T04:37:49Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/ Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation Abdul Rahim, Zaiton Mohd Nawawi, Norwina Denan, Zuraini Abdul Majid, Noor Hanita Abdullah, Fadzidah GN Anthropology GT Manners and customs NA Architecture NA4590 Religious buildings Architectural components Islamic decoration Masjid (mosque) plays a significant role in the life of a Muslim. Throughout history, the old masjids of the old cities and towns reflect the acculturation of Islamic faith with the local culture that embraced the religion. This paper demonstrates through experiential learning how acculturation of Islamic faith and culture of the people in the Malay Archipelago gives symbolic meanings to the masjid architecture and enhances the spatial as well as the spiritual experience of the people. The old masjid in the Kerinchi region of Sumatra, Indonesia, was selected as the case studies. In the process of the research, important aspects of the religion and culture were encoded, presented and communicated in the form of architectural features of the masjid, giving meanings and heightened the spiritual experience of the users. The symbolic meanings made through architectural manifestation, in physical form, both structural and non-structural components of the masjid, enriches and gives a distinctive and unique character to the masjid architecture. The symbolic meanings in the old masjid architecture of Kerinci are simplified abstractions to manifest the worldview of the local people based on the spirit of Islam. The paper concluded that incorporating symbolism that does not impede Islamic teachings or the shariah in designing a masjid can enhance and even exalted the religious spirit of users while providing distinct character to the masjid. Old masjids are the best example of how architecture can play a significant role is not only as a focal congregational space for the daily worshippers but can also enhance their spiritual experiences. In the same process, the physical masjid naturally creates an identity to the place -charmingly. 2019-08-26 Proceeding Paper PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/1/Main_Program_232019-08-23-04-53-41pm.82019-08-23-04-53-41pm.20192019-08-23-04-53-41pm.pdf application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/2/IMG_0025.HEIC application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/3/Symbolism%20and%20meaning%20in%20Old%20Masjid%20Architecture%20-ISLAH2019.pdf Abdul Rahim, Zaiton and Mohd Nawawi, Norwina and Denan, Zuraini and Abdul Majid, Noor Hanita and Abdullah, Fadzidah (2019) Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation. In: 2nd International Conference on Islamic Architectural Heritage, 26th - 28th August 2019, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University Istanbul, Turkey. (Unpublished)
spellingShingle GN Anthropology
GT Manners and customs
NA Architecture
NA4590 Religious buildings
Architectural components
Islamic decoration
Abdul Rahim, Zaiton
Mohd Nawawi, Norwina
Denan, Zuraini
Abdul Majid, Noor Hanita
Abdullah, Fadzidah
Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation
title Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation
title_full Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation
title_fullStr Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation
title_full_unstemmed Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation
title_short Symbolism and Meaning in Old Masjid Architecture of Malay Archipelago: A Case Study of Masjid in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia-presentation
title_sort symbolism and meaning in old masjid architecture of malay archipelago: a case study of masjid in kerinci, jambi, indonesia-presentation
topic GN Anthropology
GT Manners and customs
NA Architecture
NA4590 Religious buildings
Architectural components
Islamic decoration
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/1/Main_Program_232019-08-23-04-53-41pm.82019-08-23-04-53-41pm.20192019-08-23-04-53-41pm.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/2/IMG_0025.HEIC
http://irep.iium.edu.my/77638/3/Symbolism%20and%20meaning%20in%20Old%20Masjid%20Architecture%20-ISLAH2019.pdf