Penang Islamic Museum
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Syed Al-Attas Mansion once belonged to Syed Mohammad Al-Attas, a Muslim of
Achehnese descent who supported Acheh’s struggle against the Dutch in the 19th
century. The mansion located at Lebuh Armenian, Georgetown and within the core
zone of the Unesco World Heritage Site and now houses the Penang Islamic Museum.
The mansion, in mid-19th century Straits Eclectic style, was built in 1860, and
stands today as one of the few bungalows with Islamic elements from that era. It
is one of the few bungalows erected by the Malay elite of the 19th century,
similar to the Teh Bunga Mansion. A defender of the liberty of Acheh against the
Dutch, Syed Alatas provided support to the Achenese resistance in the form of
fire arms.
His mansion was the venue for clandestine base for Achenese rebels. Syed Alatas
was the leader of the Red Flag secret society, which is centred at Malay Town,
as the Muslim settlement around Acheen Street and Armenian Street were called at
that time.
The mansion became the property of the Municipal Council. Restoration work was
carried out on it in 1996, with technical assistance coming from the France, and
financed by the Federal and State governments as well as the Municipal Council.
The restoration work was honored by Badan Warisan Malaysia with a Best Project
award in 1999.
Contact Information
Address: 128, Armenian Street, Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: +604 262 0172
Fax: +604 264 4692
Open daily except Tuesday
Visiting hours: 9.30 am to 6.00 pm
Entrance fee: RM3 for adults and RM1 for children below 12 years of age (Price
are subject to change)
Getting There
Visitor can walk from Weld Quay Bus Terminal, turn left and walk along Weld Quay
until you reach the junction of Gat Lebuh Armenian (Armenian Street Ghaut) to
your right. Enter Gat Lebuh Armenian and follow it all the way until the
junction of Lebuh Pantai. Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian) is located across
Lebuh Pantai.
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