Projek Dialog

Day: October 16, 2012

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Orthodox Syrian Church

  • Founded by a group of Syrian Christian men from Kerala in the late 1920s by renting a hall in YMCA. The current building was completed in 1956.
  • Orthodox Syrian Church was established in Malaya in the 1920’s.
  • The spirituality, worship and ethos of the Eastern Church is more mystical , rich in symbols and symbolic expressions.
  • The Orthodox Syrian Church is the only established orthodox church in Malaysia.
  • Services in Malayalam, English, Syriac/Aramaic
  • What the priests wear: The garments used by the priests are influenced from the time of the ancient Greek philosophers ,the Imperial Court of the Roman Empire and the Middle East.
    •  Inside the church: Icon Art: Icons are religious Artworks of the Eastern Orthodox Church. They are usually created by monks and nuns through inspiration from fasting, prayers and penance. Bible stories told through the stained glass are by Malaysian artist, Betty June Chen in 1998.
    • Did you know? Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie visited the church on 23 May 1968. They pray 7 times daily. Images are forbidden in the worship place and cannot be used for adoration.
    • Best time to visit: Every Sunday at 9am for Holy Qurbana service 25th December – Christmas 1st Jan – Circumcision of Christ 8 days after Christmas. Jan 6th – the Feast of Epiphany April/May – the Holy Passion Week (From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday)
    • 1, Jalan Tun Sambanthan 1, Brickfields Tel: 03-2273 1548
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    Church Of Our Lady Of Fatima

  • The church was built in 1963 & the additional administration building, Casa De Fatima, was completed in 2003.
  • Catholic means universal
  • Who is Our Lady of Fatima? She is the blessed Virgin Mary who appeared in the city of Fátima, Portugal in 1917.
  • Catholics pray to God & Jesus but honour Mary as she is the mother of Jesus.
  • People of different faith pay respect and give offerings to the Virgin Mary statue that is placed facing the road.
  • The holy basin at the side of the church provides holy water that has been blessed during Easter. Feel free to take some!
  • The church bells ring every 6am, 12pm & 6pm as a call for prayer.
  • Under the Parish Integral Human Development, the church helps the welfare of migrant workers regardless of their faith.
  • Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields
    Opening hours: 5:45am – 10:30pm
    Tel: 03-2274 1631

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    Buddhist Maha Vihara

  • This Theravada Buddhist temple was founded by the Sri Lankan Sinhalese community in 1895 to provide a place of worship for civil servants brought in from Sri Lanka during British rule.
  • It houses 400 Sri Lankan Sinhalese monks and one local monk.
  • Theravada Buddhism, or “the Ancient Teaching”, is relatively conservative and generally closer to early Buddhism than other existing Buddhist traditions. It has been a predominant teaching in Sri Lanka for many centuries.
  • Maha Vihara means Big Temple
  • WESAK DAY is a holy day to celebrate Buddha’s birthday every 15th May of the lunar calendar. There will be street processions around KL.
  • The Bodhi trees are the sapling from the 2000 years old Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka; a tree believed to be the cutting of the original tree Buddha received enlightenment.
  • The International Buddhist Pagoda: This pure white dome structure houses a collection of Buddhist relics & Buddha statues from around the world!
  • Check out the books about Buddhism available for free!
  • Be a “monk” for 2 weeks! Wonder what life is like as a monk? The BMV offers the Novitiate Program that allows anyone to experience a monk’s life for a registration fee of RM100.
  • What the monks wear: A shaved head represents a simple life A Buddhist monk’s robe is typically orange in colour but there is actually no fixed colours for a monk’s robe!
    • Services available: Marriage registrations Dhamma for the blind and deaf Buddhist and Pali Universitiy Diploma courses K Sri Dhammananda Library Sunday Dhamma Classes for children and adults Full moon and new moon day services
    • 123, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields Opening hours: 6:30am-10pm Tel: 03-2274 1141
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    Seng Hong Temple

  • Seng Hong is believed to be the highest ranking position in the underworld (afterlife).
  • This Taoist temple also houses Hindu & Malay deities.
  • Taoist devotees also pray to the Hindu deities in this temple.
  • There was a 26 feet tall Guan Yin statue standing in front of the temple prior to the construction of the monorail.
  • Mediums are usually used for devotees to communicate with deities to ask for favours or solutions to their problems.
  • There is also a herbal steam bath service. Only RM14 per 45mins!
  • Every 24th July of the lunar calendar, devotees celebrate Seng Hong’s birthday & the Hungry Ghost Festival with a procession. In the procession, devotees go into a trance & pierce their bodies with rods, swords and even bicycles!
  • No. 06-0588, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields Tel: 019-331 5233
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    Sri Sakthi Vinayagar

  • This temple started in squatter houses in Jalan sultan Abdul Samad. In 2005, they moved to the present location.
  • The Karpaga Vinayagar, or the “elephant God” statue is portrayed with a trunk that curves to his right, instead of the usual left, making it the only statue of its kind in Malaysia!
  • Vinayagar is known as the protector & helps clear the path. Most Hindu devotees will pray to Vinayagar before praying to other Hindu deities.
  • Look inside for the Lord Vinayagar statue made entirely out of bananas, brown sugar and cement!
  • The coconut breaking ritual at the front door is common in Shaivite Hindu temples. It signifies the breaking of the human ego & surrendering oneself to God.
  • Cows are sacred in Hinduism because they are the provider of milk!
  •  No.199, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields Opening hours: 6am – 12pm, 6pm – 9:30pm Tel: 03-2274 8624
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    Tamil Methodist Church

  • The first Western structure in Brickfields.
  • Methodist comes from the word “method” as the founder, John Wesley, is very methodical in his approach to scriptures and Christian living.
  • The non-profit kindergarten in this church is not only the cheapest but the oldest kindergarten in Brickfields!
  • The best time to observe their prayers is on Sundays, 8:00am – 1:30pm
  • Their Sunday services are available in: Indonesian & Nepalese, Telugu, Tamil, English.
    • Free services, open to all: Alcoholics Anonymous: Mondays – Fridays CODA (Codependence Counselling): Wednesdays Redeeming Roses (helps victims of human trafficking): Thursdays AL-ANON (support for families of alcoholics): Thursdays
    • Do you know? Although it is a Tamil church, devotees from various ethnicities attend this church.
    • 197, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields Opening hours: 9am – 5pm Tel: 03-2274 1299
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    Madrasathul Gouthiyyah Mosque

  • The only mosque in Brickfields.
  • It started off as a madrasah (school) giving Al-Quran lessons to children.
  • The mosque was originally a small wooden surau in this same area known back then as Kg. Khadijah.
  • Most Muslims in Malaysia are followers of Mazhab Syafie but this mosque follows Mazhab Hanafi, a different Islam teaching.
  • Mazhab Hanafi asar prayers are around 5:30pm, an hour later than Mazhab Syafie which is at around 4:30pm.
  • Most Mazhab Hanafi followers do not eat crabs.
  • Goutiyyah means one who is helpful. This mosque was named after a respectable imam, Imam Abdul Qadir Jailani, who loved to help people.
  • His birthday is celebrated at only 2 mosques in KL, including this mosque!
  • The imams here are from India!
  • Main language used is Bahasa Melayu & Tamil
  • During Friday prayers, imams wear a special robe called “chaya”.
  • Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields Opening hours: 5am – 7:30am, 12:30pm – 9:30pm Tel: 013-334 6509
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    Sri Maha Muneswarar

  • Muneswarar is one of the avatars of Lord Shiva. “Muni” means saint and “iswarar” represents “Shiva”.
  • Devotees pray to Lord Muneswarar to achieve bliss & good health in life.
  • This temple first started in the 1930s at Jalan Berhala. In 2002, it was relocated to Jalan Scott to make way for the monorail.
  • This Lord Muneswarar statue made of black stone is showered with milk twice a day.
  • You will also find: The fierce Goddess Kaliamman. She is the destroyer of demons.
  • Devotees who donate bricks for the construction of the new temple will have their names written on them.
  • Best time to visit: Sivarathiri & Thiruvilla Festival in February, Chariot procession & Deepavali. During these festivals, other places of worship are invited to join the procession. Among them is the neighbouring Seng Hong temple.
  • Jalan Scott, Brickfields Opening hours: 6am – 10am, 4pm – 10pm
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