Raya Syekh Burhanuddin Mosque


Masjid Raya Syekh Burhanuddin is one of the oldest mosques as well as a cultural heritage in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The mosque is located in Nagari Ulakan, Ulakan Tapakis sub-district, Padang Pariaman district of West Sumatra.

History

The mosque was built by Burhanuddin Ulakan in 1670, making it one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia. When the mosque was built, the building was very simple with size of 15 x 15 meters and made of wood. The mosque was renovated for the first time in 1760, due to improper building conditions. The mosque was destroyed by the 2009 Sumatra earthquake. It was then rebuilt, and completed in 2011.

Architecture

The mosque currently stands on 55 x 70 meters plot of land. The building is square shaped and has area of 40 x 40 meters with 3 x 40 meters size terrace and able to accommodate about 3,000 pilgrims. This mosque has two minarets on both sides. In addition to being designed as a place of worship, this mosque is also prepared as a place for evacuation in the event of tsunami.