VietNamNet Bridge – The Al-Noor Masjid (Light) is the only mosque in northern Vietnam. It has been located on Hang Luoc Street for over a century.
Little known story of the Muslim community in Hanoi
For over 100 years, this has been the weekly destination of Vietnamese and foreign Muslims.
Al Noor was built in 1890 by Indian Muslims who originally came to
Vietnam to do business. They contributed the money needed to build the
mosque so that they could meet and worship on a regular basis.
Fairly small, at only 400m2, Al-Noor is designed in the typical
Islamic style of mosques that can be seen all over the world, especially
those used by Indian Muslims, featuring a dome, arched door and pointed
tower. The mosque’s design is simple and airy, with large high arched
doors in the main praying hall. The whole building is painted white.
Islam is one of the world’s major religions; with over 1 billion
followers. There are 79 mosques and places to worship in Vietnam and the
73,000 Muslims who currently reside in the country mainly live in the
provinces of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Binh Phuoc, An Giang, Tay Ninh,
Dong Nai, Ninh Thuan, Kien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, Long An, Binh
Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The State has also
recognized the boards that represent the Muslim communities in Ninh
Thuan, An Giang, Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City as well as the
provisional management board of the mosque at 12 Hang Luoc Street.
Muslims pray 5 times a day and Friday is their principle day of
worship. The daily prayer can take place anywhere, but if worshippers
live within about 6km of the mosque, they are advised to pray at the
mosque.
The pedestal where the Imam (officiating priest) performs religious
rituals on the morning of Friday. Currently, the Imam of this mosque is
Mr. Mieu Abbas from Ninh Thuan Province, who is also the mosque manager.
Apart from the rituals on Friday, the Imam also performs rites for funerals and weddings for Muslims. In picture: Koran books
The mosque becomes crowded every Friday morning.
Previously, Vietnamese Muslims had to use unofficial translated
versions of the Koran from English. Today, Vietnamese version of the
Koran is published by the Religion Publisher.
Typical pictures of Islamic culture in the mosque.
A toilet with many of taps, where Muslims perform Wudhu (the ritual
to wash hands, feet, face and prepare clothes before entering the
mosque).
This man, Mr. Doan Hong Cuong, 60, has been taking care of the mosque for over 20 years.
VietNamNet/VNE