TUCKED within the heritage-rich enclave of George Town, Penang, the historic street of Lebuh Acheh—once hailed as the “Second Jeddah”—has been brought to life again through Malaysia’s first haj-themed gallery.
Bernama cited that Lebuh Acheh was historically a vibrant hub for haj pilgrims from across the Malay Archipelago, including Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Thailand, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. For generations, it served as a physical and spiritual staging point for those journeying by sea to the Holy Land.
“Lebuh Acheh became known as the ‘Second Jeddah’ due to the large number of pilgrims who gathered there before setting sail,” said Associate Professor Dr Aiza Maslan@Baharudin, a senior lecturer in philosophy and civilisation studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, built in 1808, functioned not only as a mosque but also as a haj briefing centre and temporary accommodation for pilgrims. The area was also lined with endowment houses, madrasahs, and warehouses, built to support pilgrims and their long voyages.
“There was a surge in economic activity during haj season,” Dr Aiza noted. “It resembled a 24-hour fair. People sold everything from food and clothing to batik. Traders were not only Malay but also Chinese and Indian, which made the experience very communal.”
In the absence of a formal haj agency, preparations were managed by licensed agents known as ‘Sheikh Haji’, who handled everything from travel documents and ship tickets to accommodation in Jeddah and Makkah. They also organised storage for pilgrims’ belongings using ‘Sahara boxes’—sturdy chests designed for the journey.
“These Sheikhs were essentially the logistical coordinators before Tabung Haji came into existence,” Bernama quoted Aiza explaining. “They even liaised with counterparts in Jeddah. Ship fares at the time ranged from RM769 to RM1,000 depending on the travel class.”
Sea pilgrimages from Penang began around 1786, and were often made aboard cargo ships. According to Dr Aiza, Penang scholar Sheikh Omar Basyir documented these journeys in his travel diaries. By 1950, pilgrims had begun requesting ships dedicated solely to the haj. The first was the *Tyndareus*, a converted World War II vessel capable of carrying up to 2,500 people.
Today, the legacy of those journeys is enshrined in the Penang Haj Gallery, housed in what was once the haj centre and ticketing office from 1828 to the 1960s.
“This gallery is the only one of its kind in Malaysia,” said Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang (YIPP) chairman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid. “It’s officially recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records and has welcomed over 10,000 visitors from around the world since opening this year.”
Open Mondays to Fridays from 10 am to 4.30 pm, the gallery features about 40 exhibits, including rare items such as ‘Chateten ka-Tanah Suci’ (a haj travelogue), old coins and postal artefacts, ship photographs, and pieces of the Kiswah, the cloth that drapes the Kaaba.
“This is not just a gallery—it’s a living tribute to the faith, endurance, and shared heritage of generations of Malaysian Muslims,” added Dr Aiza. - June 8, 2025
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