Perak's Century-Old Pulpits Preserve Islamic Heritage

More than a century after they were crafted and intricately carved, the wooden pulpits (mimbar) of six of the oldest mosques in Perak remain remarkably well-preserved, standing as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of local artisans of the past.

These pulpits, among the most important structures in a mosque, are not merely functional features but also works of art that tell stories of their craftsmen and the history behind their creation.

This is among the findings uncovered through the Perak Heritage Pulpit Consultancy Project 2026, undertaken by a team of researchers led by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) senior lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, Sustainability and Creative Industries, Dr Harleny Abd Arif.

"The findings on these pulpits are based on documented facts, interviews with local residents and various reference sources.

"The study goes beyond determining the age of the pulpits, as it also examines their decorative elements, craftsmanship techniques and the cultural narratives embodied in these structures," she told Bernama recently.

FLORAL CARVINGS AND INTRICATE WOODWORK

Funded by the Perak state government through Kampung Karyawan Amanjaya (PORT), the project, which ran from June to October 2026, aimed to study and document eight mosque pulpits aged more than 100 years across Perak.

However, Harleny said only six were found to be more than a century old. They are the pulpits at Masjid Batu in Kuala Kurau; Masjid Panglima Kinta; Masjid Paloh and Masjid Ahmadiah in Kampung Kepayang, Ipoh; Masjid Ubudiah in Kuala Kangsar; and Masjid Kampung Teluk Memali Seri Bougainvillea in Bandar Seri Botani.

Dr Harleny Abd Arif.

She said the materials commonly used to construct the pulpits included cengal, resak and red meranti wood, selected for their durability. Nevertheless, each pulpit features distinctive designs that reflect the individual style of its craftsman.

The structures also showcase the traditional Malay woodworking skills of an era when craftsmen did not use nails in their construction.

According to Harleny, each pulpit features a staircase and dome, complemented by intricate floral motifs inspired by nature, in keeping with Islamic principles that prohibit the depiction or carving of living beings.

Among the six, the research team identified the pulpit at Masjid Ahmadiah in Kampung Kepayang as the oldest, dating back to 1905.

"This was established through an inscription bearing the Islamic year 1323 Hijrah on the pulpit's wall panel. Its craftsman was identified as Megat Ja'afar, a descendant of Megat Terawis, the first Orang Kaya Bendahara of Perak during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah I, the first Sultan of Perak.

"Interestingly, Megat Ja'afar was also the craftsman behind the pulpit at Masjid Kampung Teluk Memali, which was built on July 21, 1921, according to an inscription on its triangular upper panel," she said.

She said the inscriptions bearing the craftsmen's names and dates of construction also reflected a form of local ingenuity, as artisans of that era had already considered the importance of leaving behind their identities and artistic contributions for future generations.

HISTORICAL STORIES BEHIND THE PULPITS

Sharing further findings from the study, Harleny said the pulpit at Masjid Kampung Teluk Memali had its own unique history, as the mosque and its pulpit were relocated together with their architectural features from their original site in Teluk Memali, Kampung Gajah, to Bandar Seri Botani in Ipoh.

As such, she said, documenting the pulpit was crucial in preserving the historical journey and heritage value of the structure.

Even though it has been more than a century since it was built and carved, the pulpits in the six oldest mosques in the state do not immediately show signs of age.

The pulpit at Masjid Paloh, meanwhile, was identified as having been built in 1912 during the reign of Perak's 28th Sultan, the late Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Raja Bendahara Alang Iskandar.

Interestingly, its decorative features were found to bear a striking resemblance to those of the pulpit at Masjid Panglima Kinta.

Harleny said there were no official records indicating the construction date or the craftsman's name for the pulpit at Masjid Ubudiah. However, it is believed to have been built around 1917, based on the age of the mosque, which is now 109 years old.

"The pulpit stands 5.3 metres from floor level to the top of its dome-shaped structure. It is believed to have been made from high-quality African teak, transported from South Africa to Kuala Kangsar.

"Its panel surfaces are embellished with geometric carvings resembling the Kündekâri technique of the Ottoman Turkish and Anatolian Seljuk periods, involving the interlocking of wooden pieces," she said.

For the pulpit at Masjid Batu in Kuala Kurau, the study uncovered a complete inscription bearing the full name of its craftsman, Lebai Muhammad Saad Wan Ngah, together with its construction date of July 27, 1916, on the pulpit's wall panel.

"Meanwhile, the pulpit at Masjid Panglima Kinta bears the name of its craftsman, Mohamad Sufian Abdul Wahab, who hails from Penang and is now 98 years old, approaching the age of a century," she said.

PULPITS AS REFLECTIONS OF CRAFTSMEN'S IDENTITIES

Harleny said the carvings and craftsmanship displayed on each pulpit served as distinctive signatures of their respective artisans, each reflecting an individual artistic identity.

"Nevertheless, the meticulous workmanship is evident in every section of the pulpits, demonstrating a high level of skill and technical mastery that has enabled these creations to survive across generations.

The materials used to make the pulpit are usually cengal, resak and red meranti wood, which are selected based on their durability.

"We can even identify regional characteristics through the pulpit designs, including their layouts, papan kepala cicak (lizard-head panels) and lattice decorations. This is similar to how clothing cuts or house designs can provide clues about the state of origin or the identity of a particular community," she explained.

Harleny also viewed the inscriptions bearing the craftsmen's names and construction dates as a form of artistic copyright, acknowledging the contributions of Perak-born artisans while helping her research team uncover the stories behind each structure.

"Each pulpit has historical value and its own story to tell. These are among the heritage treasures handed down through generations and preserved to this day," she said.

She said the study was therefore important in ensuring that information about these heritage pulpits would not be lost, while helping the public appreciate that each of these treasures carries its own historical, artistic and cultural significance.