THE Penang Hajj Gallery, an initiative by the Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang (YIPP), gets into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for being the first ever gallery of its kind in Malaysia.
YIPP chief executive officer Mohd Fitri Ibrahim said the gallery, which is located at 87, Lebuh Acheh in George Town, once served as the Jeddah Pilgrim’s ticketing office for the Muslims.
“The venue (building), where the gallery is now, once operated as the ticketing office for the Muslims to go on Hajj pilgrimages (via ships) way back in 1828 until the 1960s.
“Later, the YIPP took over this place, which was used as a business outlet, and turned it into the Penang Hajj Gallery.
“The gallery was launched in 2015 by Islamic religious leader mufti Ismail Menk,” Fitri said during the MBR certificate presentation ceremony at the gallery today.
MBR chief operating officer Christopher Wong presented the certificate (‘The First Hajj Gallery in Malaysia’) to Fitri who represented the Penang Hajj Gallery.
The ceremony was witnessed by caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Fitri thanked Chow for his presence and he reaffirmed that the state government had always been supportive of YIPP’s efforts concerning the Islamic agenda.
“The state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, has always supported YIPP’s initiatives to further enhance the Islamic agenda in the state.
“The YIPP would like to express its gratitude to the state government for the support,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chow said that the Penang Hajj Gallery would serve as a centre to educate the public, especially, the younger generation as well as the tourists on the history of the Muslim community as well as their contributions.
“The gallery will be instrumental to provide important information regarding the history and contribution of the Muslim community.
“Penang was known as the second Jeddah as it was an important hub for the hajj pilgrimage in the 19th century for those from the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and north Sumatra,” he added.
Wong said, the Penang Hajj Gallery was awarded ‘The First Hajj Gallery in Malaysia’ title after extensive research was conducted by the MBR. He encouraged the promotion of culture and religion in Malaysia.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Siew Chia En