IPOH: THE state’s heritage of beautiful mosques have been packaged as an anchor tourism product dubbed the Perak Mosque Trail.
Put together by Tourism Malaysia Perak(TMP), the package covers Masjid Dato’ Panglima Kinta (built in 1898), Masjid India Muslim (1908), Masjid Kampong Paloh (1912), Masjid Pakistani (1930), Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II (1968), Masjid Baru Muhammadiah Masjid Cina (last year) and Masjid Ubudiah (1917).
TMP state director Ibrahim Seddiqi Talib said the trail provides an opportunity for tourists to view the mosques’ unique architecture which dates back to the 19th century.
He said the mosques have elements of Chinese, Hindu and British architecture.
“We are not only targeting Muslim tourists as we want all our visitors to know more about our mosques, their history as well as the religious aspect,” he said.
The Mosque Trail will join the list of existing trails such as Perak Ipoh Food, Perak Heritage and Ipoh Old Town and will be added into the tourists’ calendar of events for 2014/2015,” said Ibrahim Seddiqi.
“We are also working with the travel agents to include the Perak Mosque Trail into their itinerary,” he said.
The trail is supported by Tourism Perak Management Bhd and Place of Remarkable Talent (PORT).
Hotel manager Lily Chee gave the Mosque Trail the thumbs up.
“Non-Muslims don’t often go into mosques, but with this trail, tourists are allowed to enter mosques and admire their architecture and interior design.”
Hospitality coach Peter J. Bucher hoped with the introduction of the new package, mosques will be ready to welcome non-Muslim visitors.
“Previously, I had a bad experience with a mosque security guard who barred me from entering the premises of the mosque.”