I
ended up in Kuantan. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, just a drive with no
plans whatsoever, going with the flow. Actually, it was to break free from the
mundane life and welcome something new. Landing in Kuantan, I checked into
Vistana Kuantan (now known as AC Hotel Kuantan). The room was lovely, with
nothing to fault. Next, I made a call to meet up with two friends who fetched
me from the hotel, and we took a drive around Kuantan town before I chanced
upon the Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque (Masjid Negeri, Masjid Sultan Ahmad 1). There was an irresistible pull to go
inside, a call I couldn’t ignore. My two friends were not keen, but they didn’t
stop me. There was also the element of whether I would be allowed to visit, the
doubt running through my mind. Yet I braved myself, and, despite being clueless
about the procedures, I walked into the compound of Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah
just as the evening prayer had ended (VARANASI GANGES, CHENNAI DISCOVERY & KATAGARAMA SACRED TRAILS).
I asked a person leaving the mosque for
guidance, and he pointed me inside. At the counter, the attendant kindly
informed me that I should return during the designated times for tourists and
visitors. As I walked back to my friends and waited, I found myself checking my
watch repeatedly, my excitement growing with each passing minute. The mosque
standing majestically, and an indescribable aura seemed to glow from it, stirring
emotions within me that I couldn’t quite explain. The profound sense of
reverence and anticipation was overwhelming, filling me with a deep and
unexpected emotional resonance.
The Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque, also known
as Masjid Negeri Pahang (Sultan Ahmad 1), is a prominent and architecturally
stunning mosque in Kuantan, the capital of Pahang, Malaysia. Completed in 1993
and named after Sultan Ahmad Shah, the first Sultan of Pahang, this mosque
serves as the state mosque and a central place of worship for the local Muslim
community.
Its grand design features a blend of
traditional Islamic and modern architectural elements, with a striking blue
dome and intricate calligraphy adorning its walls. The mosque’s architecture is
significant for its harmonious fusion of classical and contemporary styles,
symbolizing the unity of tradition and progress. The mosque can accommodate
thousands of worshippers, making it a significant spiritual and cultural
landmark in the region.
When the time arrived, I walked in and was
given a jubah. A humble young guy accompanied me inside, sharing much
information about the mosque and ensuring I abided by the regulations for
tourists. He was curious about my reasons for visiting the mosque and my
religion. I told him, "God is God, no matter which religion," and
mentioned that I am a Hindu. I also shared that as I passed by, I felt a strong
calling to visit the mosque, which made him smile.
As I explored the mosque, I was deeply
moved by its beauty and tranquility. Once I had seen the entire mosque, I
thanked the young guide profusely, feeling he exemplified a true person of God.
His humbleness and kindness touched me profoundly, and I couldn’t thank him
enough. Walking out of the mosque, I smiled to myself, truly feeling that it
was a divine calling that led me there, filling me with an incredible sense of
peace and fulfilment.
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