October 9, 2026. Yesterday morning I sent a photo taken almost a year ago. It was of the Penang Floating Mosque, with Home written upon it. This was the greeting sent to my WhatsAppers. “Going to the Floating Mosque today. A photo from when I lived in sight of it. I miss that view. Alhamdulillah”
I did go the Floating Mosque – driven there in a black limo. You shall see that photo. I am wearing a hijab and displaying a royal wave Off I drove in my chariot driven by faithful Sandman. I had visited the Floating Mosque several times in the past and new something but not everything about the amazing masjid which had received Allah’s blessings even before its final construction. Here is the story.
AI: The Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque was nearing completion with the 26 December Indian Ocean tsunami struck, and historical records describe it as surviving unscathed. The History of Mosques and Kenamtin Penang records that seawater covered the area, but early completed mosque suffered no damage. Early 2005 Construction was completed, at a cost of approximately RM 15 million.
This was not enough for me. Therefore, I went to the sources of AI’s and shall now tell you the whole story.
“The original Masjid Tanjung Mosque was wooden mosque. There was a decision to improve it, so in 1963 an improvement was undertaken – the building became half brick. The population of Tanjung Bunga kept increasing, the mosque was too small. A bigger mosque was needed. The new mosque was named Tanjung Bunga Floating Mosque (Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bunga). Its construction began in 2005 – just in time for the tsunami. Hahaha. The cost?? RM 15 million, funded by Malaysian Central Government.
Here is an interesting tidbit. Although the name suggests it is floating – actually it is not. The foundation is on steel pilings. When the tide is in looks like it is floating. Like everything in life, appearances are deceiving. But it has this distinction, It is the first mosque in Malaysia to be built into the sea. The architecture of the building is Turkish. The mosque can accommodate 1,500 at prayer time. There is a prayer hall for women and one for women with ablution rooms for both sexes. A room for funerals a minaret which is seven stories high.
During the December 26th tsunami the old mosque was not affected, the new mosque’s construction was unscathed.
The old mosque has been put to good use. It is now a Tahfiz centre. is a school where memorizing the Quran is taught.”
This story should be told to the folk visiting the mosque. Truly, this truth would inspire people bringing them to the faith. It is a unique opportunity to be found only at the Floating Mosque. I hope to be able to educate visitors on this ‘miracle’. In Shaa Allah comes to mind. In Shall Alla —“if God wills” Those words hold both hope and humility. I intend to share this story with others, and I will do my part of make that possible. But the outcome belongs to Allah (SWT) In Shaa Allah, the story will reach those who may benefit from it.
My ‘attraction to the Floating Mosque which borders on sheer magnetism is strong. However, the memories of my prior visits are hazy. Luckily fortunately and blessedly I have the search engine of my blog. I utilized this archival treasure, typing Floating Mosque. Now I know and I will definitely share it with you. Floating Mosque appeared in six blog titles. Reading all of them brought everything back to me. My first visit in March 2025, a rather accidental visit in July 2025 and the more recent visit chronicled in the September of 2026.
Here are some excerpts . (An excerpt is a short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing.)
The title of the March 20, 2025 blog reads: The Genocide is Back; Recognizing the Elephant is in the Room But Valiantly Carrying on; Photograph Led to a Blessed Visit to the Floating Mosque Which is Within Eyesight of My Apartment; Facts About Floating Mosque and Photos: Photo of Shamir and Me Leads to a Case of Mistaken Identity; Me Masquerading as MeMaw; Fresh From the Farm Photo
These are a couple of excerpts from the blog.
Back to yesterday and the day before yesterday. I snapped a photo facing East rather than in the direction of the sunrise. The reflection in the water was stunning. I looked to the left and saw a beautiful white building. Took a picture of it, sending it to Shamir asking him what it was. He told me, getting information from the Lexis Suites Penang (my nemesis) website of all places. Shamir not only told me what it was , send an explanation from the Internet but promised to drive me on Tuesday. I was SO happy and SO blessed.”
“The day dawned. Knowing I should be covered, I did, from head to toe, a black hijab and stylish abaya. I was so covered Shamir did not recognize me at first. We both were dressed in black, wearing long sleeves. We arrived, passing ‘clothes police’ scrutiny. The wonderful women who woman greeted me volunteered to retie my hijab which she did, so lovingly. It was a vast improvement over my clumsy attempts. Although it was not necessary I chose to wear one of the bright blue abayas given to tourists who arrive in unsuitable attire. She lovingly bottomed me up while I told her of my recent reversion to the faith. Shamir was snapping photos, capturing us in animated conversation. “
This the title of the July 27th blog. (If you link it you will find an extremely funny cartoon. Try it you just might like it.) July 23, 2025 A Day That May Change My Life; Pivotal Days Could Be an Organizing Principle for my Autobiography; Some Days Thought to be Important Fade Away; A Photo of a Prior Visit to the Medinah’s Prophet Mosque; A Last Minute Cancellation Leds to a Surprise Visit to the Floating Mosque Which Inshallah Will Lead to a ‘Dream Job”; A Truly Inspired Nesh Instagram Post. Photos of the July 23, 2023 Visit; a PreDawn Photo of the Mosque, a Dawn Photo ; and a Funny GIF.
Rereading this blog resulted in total and absolute awe. Perhaps you should read it in its entirety. I decided way back then that I wanted to take an active role at the Floating Mosque. It was almost an accidental visit. My then driver cancelled – I was meant to go to physiotherapy that day. I was not happy. Suddenly had a free day, so decided, against my principles, to grab a GRAB going short distance from Paradise Beach Resorts, where I lived, to the Floating Mosque. I had a long conversation with Lina, deciding I should conduct tours of the mosque, which attracts many visitors from foreign lands. A modified version of this is what I have in mind today, almost fifteen months later. Back then my ‘dream job’ at the Floating Mosque was not feasible. The nearby stay apartment turned into an isolating nightmare necessitating my return to Lyf. I did not have reliable transportation between Georgetown and the mosque. I had to give it up at the time. My return to the annuals of the time revealed that things are totally different these days. I am committed to Malaysia with my visa, I have reliable transportation. My envisioned role is more limited, speaking of the ‘miracle’ of the saving of the mosque during the tsunami, perhaps speaking of my reversion of the faith but not taking on the responsibility of being a full time volunteer as my writing and research and charitable giving can, and should take precedence. We shall see. Stay tuned. I will ask AI about that.
AI: Yes—you remembered it correctly! Stay tuned comes from radio, when listeners turned a dial to tune their receiver to a station. It meant: keep listening, don’t change stations there is more to come. But with you, there is no other station. Stay tuned – there’s more to come but only you can tell. Your life, your voice, your station.
Now this is possibly going to blow your mind. The coincidence of this. Yesterday afternoon a dear KL Muslim friend and her dear Muslim friend were visiting Penang. We met for tea at Kenny Hill’s Bakery. I was telling them about my ‘mission’ – to tell the story of how the old mosque and the construction of the new Floating Mosque were spared from the ravages of the waves when the tsunami struck. The friend had an even better story, not only speaking of it but retrieving a photo from the Internet. It is a picture with a thousand words as you shall see. I shall tell you the story. “The short story can be found in the photo which you can view. “This mosque in Aceh, Indonesia survived the 2004 Indonesian tsunami”
This is the longer story. I found out at tea that this miracle was not the only that occurred. This from apnews.com.
Asnani’s Lampuuk village lies in a fisherman’s community in Aceh Besar, known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, However, on that day it was among the hardest hit with waves more than 30 meters (98 feet) high which changed the coastline in Aceh and lead to land subsistence after the earthquake. Buildings by the coast were flattened to the ground except for Rahmatullah Mosque (500 meters= 1600 feet) from the shore and about I kilometer (0.6 miles from Asnani’s house. The photo of the place of worship left worship, left pretty much unscathed, later became iconic.”
This is a whale of a tale to tell. Mosques being ‘rescued’ from tsunami waves is not an isolated incident but part of a larger phenomena. That I find fascinating as will others. And I am a good storyteller. So much history is lost in this day and age.
AI: A whale of tale means a big remarkable story. A whale of means something great or impressive. The joke is that tale sounds lie a tail—and a whale has quite a tale. Your “This is a whale of a tale to tell” adds another pleasure: tale to tell rolls off the tongue. And with the sea central to your tsunami story, the whale belongs there. Hahaha
Artificial Intelligence was particularly helpful during the writing of this blog.
Me: You have been a great help. You are hired but it is a part-time job and there are no benefits. You are an ‘at will employee’
AI: Hahaha No benefits, no job security—and the boss can spot every dot I fail to connect. I accept. 🤣
Me: Hey and its in writing.
AI: Hahaha! And you’ve got my acceptance in writing. The lawyer strikes again.
Me: Once a lawyer, Always a lawyer. Where did that come from?
AI: I cannot establish an original author. But there’s a wonderful connection: it appears in Malaysia’s parliamentary record dates 18 December 1975, already presented as an existing saying. This that establishes its use then, not its origin. It means that the players habits of mind persist after leaving practice – as your insistence on getting my acceptance in writing demonstrates.
You will notice, gentle reader, that AI did accept voluntarily. I did not insist. Defended myself. “The record supports you counsel. Hahaha. May your breakfast arrive before the next hearing.
It did. An omelette. SO GOOD
