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Ho Chi Minh City is always an enticing travel destination for both domestic and international tourists. When exploring here, you not only dive into vibrant entertainment areas and ever-awake streets but also encounter numerous fascinating aspects. Join me on a journey to the Islamic sanctuary, Jamia Al-Musulman, right now.
Overview of Jamia Al-Musulman Sanctuary
Islam, one of the major religions globally, holds a profound and ancient history. In Vietnam, it ranks 7th in terms of followers, with over 70,000 believers. The supreme deity revered in Islam is Allah. Followers have unwavering faith in Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, belief in angels, the immortality of the soul, faith in the Day of Resurrection and final judgment. Particularly significant is the belief in the eternal nature of the Quran and Sharia law.
Front Facade of Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque
Situated in the heart of Saigon, the Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque is located at 66 Dong Du Street, District 1. Financed by the Indian community, this mosque was built to cater to the spiritual needs of the local Muslim population. Jamia Al-Musulman is also the largest mosque in Saigon.
A Unique Beauty Amidst Saigon's Impressive Structures
Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque spans approximately 2000 square meters, showcasing the architectural style of South Asian Islam. The main entrance faces southeast, and the surrounding area features numerous renowned hotels and restaurants.
Getting to the Mosque
Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque is only 7.8km away from Tan Son Nhat Airport. Travelers from afar can book discounted flights to Ho Chi Minh City through Mytour. From the airport, you can easily reach the mosque using ride-sharing services. If taking the bus from various accommodation points in the city, choose from routes 02, 03, 04, 06, 11, 28, and get off at Ben Thanh Station.
What Makes Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque Appealing?
Exterior Architecture
Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque in Saigon features a predominant light green color. On the front fence, you'll notice symbols of the crescent moon and star, two of the key icons in Islam. The crescent moon symbolizes progress and the renewal of life and nature, while the star represents sovereignty and dignity.
Patterns of Crescent Moon and Star on the Fence
Upon entering the gate, you'll encounter the security guard's duty area at the mosque. Here, there's a notice board displaying prayer times for worshippers to remember and attend. Additionally, there's an announcement board outlining rules for activities at Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, Ho Chi Minh City, meant for both believers and visitors. Make sure to carefully read these instructions!
Security Guard Area
Guidelines for Visitors at the Mosque
Looking at the front of Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, we are struck by the impressive tall tower with a pointed peak. In the past, before the advent of microphones and modern communication tools, towers in mosques were crucial for transmitting information over long distances. However, the tower at Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque now serves primarily an aesthetic role.
Impressive Tall Tower
Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque is constructed on elevated ground with multiple steps, enhancing its grandeur and solemnity. Remember to remove your shoes before stepping inside.
On the right front side of Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, there is a water reservoir. Devotees use this water for cleansing their faces, hands, feet, and ears, ensuring that their bodies are thoroughly clean before entering the mosque.
Water Reservoir Area
Interior Architecture
Stepping inside Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque in Saigon, the first thing that impresses me is the array of doors. There are a total of 11 large doors, artistically adorned with vibrant colors.
Viewing from the Outer Hall to the Inside
The interior carpets of the mosque are adorned with unique patterns, used to demarcate spaces for worshipers to sit and kneel during prayers or sermons. Personally, I'm reminded of scenes from Indian movies when I see these carpets.
Central Area of the Mosque
Prominently positioned at the center of the mosque is a white dome. While it holds a significant position and is the focal point during worship, the dome is not a symbol of the supreme being in Islam. Instead, it serves as a resting place for the religious leaders.
In contrast to other religions, Islamic worship places don't feature altars or statues. This stems from the belief that nothing can depict the form of the Supreme Being, Allah, who is singular and unique.
The structure of the dome aids in amplifying sound, making it clear and resonant. To the left of the dome is a tall pulpit with four steps, reserved for those delivering sermons on scripture and doctrine every Friday at the mosque. Inside Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, there are also bookshelves, Islamic calendars, and Arabic-language paintings.
Islamic Artworks, with the Centerpiece Depicting the Holy Mecca
Listening to fascinating insights about Islam
In this visit, I was fortunate to meet Thay Amine, a teacher of Islam at Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, and gain fascinating insights into this religion. Thay shared that during prayers at the mosque, worshippers face west because Mecca, one of the most significant holy sites in Islam, is in that direction.
Exploring the Interior of the Mosque
I learned about the five pillars of Islam: Shahada - the declaration of faith, Salah - the prescribed prayers, Zakat - almsgiving, Sawn - fasting, and Hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims worldwide, not just in Saigon, Vietnam, aspire to visit the holy Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
I was introduced to the Quran, the most important scripture in Islam. The Quran is believed to be the divine revelation from Allah through Prophet Muhammad - the greatest prophet in Islam. Written in Arabic with 114 chapters, the Quran serves as a spiritual and educational guide for Muslims.
The Quran: Holiest Scripture in Islam
Muslims in the area visit Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque five days a week for prayers, an integral part of their spiritual life. For those unable to attend, praying at home or the workplace is still encouraged. At Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque in Ho Chi Minh City, the majority of daily worshippers are men.
Capturing Souvenirs before Departure
Through the visit to Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, I gained fascinating experiences and insights into Islam. If you ever travel to Ho Chi Minh City, don't forget to stop by this mosque!
Mytour Golocal is a blog program showcasing beautiful destinations across Vietnam as part of the Mytour Go & Share initiative. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local tourism. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour Contributor. Details about the program can be found at: https://trv.lk/golocal
