"The Benggali Mosque, believed to have been founded in 1803, was built on a site granted by the East India Company during George Leith's term as the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang."
Introduction Located along Lebuh Leith, the Benggali Mosque is believed to have been founded around 1803. It was built on a site donated by the East India Company, during the term when George Leith served as Penang's Lieutenant Governor.
The Benggalis for whom this mosque was built, immigrated to Penang in the late 18th century and were mainly agriculturalists who spoke mainly the Urdu language. However, the mosque also used Tamil as the Tamil-speaking population in Penang grew over time.
Today, the Bengali mosque is the base of the Tablighi movement, and the main languages used are now Tamil and Malay.
Lebuh Leith, where the Benggali Mosque is located, was once known as the Hakka's Millionaire Row as there were once several prominent Hakkas whose residences were located here. Among them is Cheong Fatt Tze's 'Blue Mansion'.
For more information, please contact… Penang Tourism Action Council 56th Floor, KOMTAR 10000 Penang Tel : +604-262 0202 Fax : +604-263 1020 Email : enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.my
Last viewed - May 17, 2008
Getting there
By Bus
Express buses ply the route from Penang to / from Kuala Lumpur and major cities in the country. Please visit (http://www.plusliner.com/) for more info. The main bus terminal in Penang is located next to the Ferry Terminal.
By Taxi
To get to Penang Island, long distance taxi service can be hired at Weld Quay, Penang. Tel: +604-2625721
By Plane
Daily flights via Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com, tel:1 300 88 3000 ) and AirAsia (www.airasia.com, tel: 1-300-88 9933) to / from Penang to major cities in Malaysia. Penang's Bayan lepas International Airport is roughly 20km (45-minnute drive) from the Georgetown city centre.
By Rail
You can take the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, where it stops at the Penang Railway Station, close to the ferry terminal. For more information, visit www.ktmb.com.my or call their call centre at +603-22671200.
By Boat
Ferries can be boarded at Butterworth, in the mainland portion of Penang. Among Ferry Services available are:
Langkawi Ferry Services (Tel: +604-2643088
Ekspress Bahagia (Tel: +604-2636255)
From the Ferry Terminal you can easily get a taxi ride into Georgetown city centre.
Located at Lebuh Leith in Georgetown City, this mosque is accessible via Jalan Penang or Lebuh Chulia. If you opt for public transportation, you may take a bus from the bus station at Lebuh Chulia. Taxis and trishaws are also easily available around the city.
