Saigon Central Mosque
| Saigon Central Mosque | |
|---|---|
Nhà thờ Hồi giáo Musulman | |
 | |
  Location within Vietnam | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Location | |
| Location | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Coordinates | 10°46′34.4″N 106°42′15.4″E / 10.776222°N 106.704278°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | mosque |
| Style | ancient Roman |
| Established | 1935 |
| Minaret | 4 |
The Saigon Central Mosque (Vietnamese: Nhà thờ Hồi giáo Musulman) is a mosque in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and it is one of the ancient and historic Mosque in the region. It was completed in the Year 1935 since the construction began in 1934 December 21 and was led by JM Mohamed Ismael, Chief of the Muslims Congregations, Head of British Indian Muslims Community.
History
[edit]
The mosque was established in 1935 as the India Jamia Muslim Mosque.[1][2][3][4][5]
JM Mohamed Ismael of Koothanallur
[edit] |
JM Mohamed Ismael (1888 - c. 1945) born in the Southern part of India, nowadays Koothanallur, Tamil Nadu, came to Saigon in 1903 among his brother to expand his business named "JM Mohamed Ismael Freres" on Rue Catinat, Saigon. He was born to JM Mohamed Abdul Kader, the textile retailer in his native[clarification needed], and Fathima Beevi KR. He was the first son among 10 children, names as order: JM Ayesha, JM Mohamed Ibrahim, JM Abdullah, JM Ahamedsha, JM Abdul Hameed, JM Abdul Rahim, JM Khateeja, JM Abdul Aziz (Chevalier de la legion D Honneur) and JM Abdul Mohamed.
JM Mohamed Ismael was honoured by the Indian Government as the title "Khan Saheb" was awarded in recognition of his public services on 13 January 1943.
The similar designed masjid (with only 3 entrances) constructed in his native village Koothanallur was named as Fathima Masjid of Marakkadai and handed over (wakf) to Manba Ul Ula Society, Koothanallur. The Fathima Masjid of Marakkadai was named in honour of his deceased wife Fathima Beevi. There are more unknown masjids[clarification needed] and lastly there is a madrasa in Thirumalairayapattinam (Tamil Nadu).
JM Mohamed Ismael had 3 sons: JM Mohyadin BA (Aligarh), JM Kareem and JM Rahmatullah BA and 4 Daughters.
His first son JM Mohyadin BA (Alig) is known for being the first Tamil person to enter Hong Kong, as per the records of "Ettaam Arivu - Kadai kadantha Kadai".
JM Mohyadin was also known for being the First Graduate of Koothanallur, and served as the long-time director of Thiru Arooran Sugars Limited, former correspondent of Manba ul ula School, Koothanallur, Director General of JM Mohamed Ismael Fils Aziz & Company, Saigon, former President of Koothanallur Panchayat, former President of Koothanallur Muslim League.
Nehru Visit to Saigon Central Mosque
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Jawaharlal Nehru visited Vietnam on 17 October 1954, making him one of the key figures in establishing the foundation of modern Vietnam-India friendship alongside President Ho Chi Minh. This visit occurred shortly after Hanoi was liberated, and it was reciprocated by Ho Chi Minh's visit to India in February 1958. Nehru and Indira Gandhi visited Saigon Central Mosque and the Indian Community meeting held there which was led by JM Abdul Aziz.[6]
Architecture
[edit]The mosque was constructed with ancient Roman architectural style.[2] It consists of four minarets.[1]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]
- "[Photos] Saigon's 81-Year-Old Downtown Mosque, 1958-1979 - Saigoneer". 26 December 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
- 1 2 "Saigon Central Mosque". Vietnam Guide. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- 1 2 "Saigon Central Mosque". Wendy Wei Tours. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ↑ Corfield, Justin (1 November 2014). Historical Dictionary of Ho Chi Minh City. Anthem Press. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-78308-333-6.
- ↑ Florence, Mason; Storey, Robert (2001). Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Lonely Planet. pp. 89–90. ISBN 978-0-86442-614-7.
- ↑ Travel, D. K. (5 October 2023). DK Vietnam. Dorling Kindersley Limited. ISBN 978-0-241-65983-0.
- ↑ Hoang, Nguyen Huy; Hoa, Le Phuong (2025), "Indian Community in Vietnam", The Palgrave Handbook of Indian Migrants to South East Asia, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 29–43, ISBN 978-981-96-4203-8, retrieved 12 October 2026
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
