This book explores the unique identity of Masjid Al Qadim and its relationship with the Muslim community of Sibu. This book also reveals a brief historical accounts of Sibu town and describes its influences in the development of Masjid Al Qadim. This book provides a complete overview extensions and renovations. The architectural characteristics and attributes of the masjid are the main subject of this book with a view on the context, spaces, construction techniques and other details of interest.

Motives for writing this book are riven by lack of documentations on the Malay-Melanau historical accounts and heritage in Sibu, as well as the need to highlight the roles and unique architectural characteristics of Masjid Al Qadim. On a personal note, Masjid Al Qadim was the landmark of my early village life in Sibu, it contributed toward my early ideas of public and private space relationships and “place-making”. The masjid is a reminiscent of the happy childhood yesteryears that I have enjoyed, for example, it is still vivid in my mind…..”during Ramadhan, we would wait for the sound of the bedok (a large drum), standing patiently with friends along the streets of Kampung Dato waiting for the end of a long fasting day. Upon hearing the sound of the bedok, we would run to our respective houses and shouted the word “sungkei”, a local terminology for breaking the fast. I also remembered how joyous the masjid during Eid, when all men, young and old would dress in their best traditional attires, many times the jemaah (congregation) would spill over to Kampung Nyabor streets. For me, those were the most memorable event of Masjid Al Qadim”. To be given to an opportunity to write on the Masjid, is an honour for me.