“Pelita Mosque” Made Up Of 2,021 Oil Lamps Beautifies Johor Kampung

**Mosque made of pelita to mark 2021 celebrations**

Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities continue to look different for many this year, with the return of the Movement Control Order keeping gatherings small – but hopefully just as sweet – for families.

Looking to lift the spirits of residents in Kampung Baru Sri Gading in anticipation of Hari Raya 2021, a group of individuals constructed a “Pelita Mosque” – a gate of lights that draws inspiration from a real-life mosque in Selangor. It comprises an impressive total of 2,021 traditional kerosene oil lamps.

“Pelita Mosque” comprising 2,021 oil lamps

On 4th May 2021, Mohd Azam Hj Isnin took to his personal Facebook page to share photos of the eye-catching structure in Batu Pahat, Johor. To built it, he and his friend coordinated the Kampung Baru Light Gate Project, enlisting the help of 15 young individuals from the kampung.

Pelita Mosque in Batu Pahat, Johor
Image credit: Mohd Azam Hj Isnin

According to his post, he said that the “Pelita Mosque” is made up of 2,021 traditional oil lamps, or pelita, in conjunction with the year 2021. It also took them over a month to complete, working in their spare time in the evenings during Ramadan.

A team member shared on Facebook how they needed an hour to light up all the lamps on the gate. A time-lapse video posted alongside shows their efforts.

In an interview with Harian Metro, Mohd Azam explained that the use of pelita in the structure was to encourage residents to carry on the use of kerosene oil lamps. This is so traditional culture can be kept alive by current and future generations.

Image credit: Mat Keras

Bringing joy to everyone near their kampung

All their hard work paid off in the end, as Mohd Azam shared with Bernama that the structure garnered positive feedback from residents, and attention online from netizens.

He had hoped that it would bring joy to the local community in the days leading up to Hari Raya 2021. As the various stages of the MCO come as a bummer to many, he hoped to encourage and cheer up communities in surrounding kampungs.

Pelita Mosque in Batu Pahat, Johor
Image credit: Mohd Azam Hj Isnin

This year’s structure in Kampung Baru Sri Gading also marks the 2nd year that the town has seen a gate of lights, located prominently on a main road that connects Batu Pahat, Ayer Hitam, and Kluang.

A previous structure comprising oil lamps had been erected the year before too.

Nonetheless, the 1,500 lamps used in the previous structure were surpassed by the whopping 2,021 lamps used in this year’s gate.

But no worries if those in the town had missed the spectacle of lights, as Mohd Azam hopes to keep the tradition alive for the town and have the gate up before Hari Raya Aidilfitri in the years to come too.

“Pelita Mosque” keeps celebrations and traditions alive

Spreading the cheer during the pandemic is much needed and welcomed, as festivities have been put on pause due to it, including Hari Raya celebrations for the Muslim community. So we applaud this gate of lights constructed by the community in Kampung Baru Sri Gading to bring joy and cheer to residents in their village and beyond.

We also extend our wishes to our Muslim friends in the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations.