Name: Red Masjid
Address: No.228, Second Cross Street, 11, à¶à·à·à¶¹, Sri Lanka, LK
Telephone: +94 112 451 975

Red Masjid is a mosque, located at No.228, Second Cross Street, 11, කොළඹ, Sri Lanka. They can be contacted via phone at +94 112 451 975, visit their website www.redmasjid.com for more detailed information.

Location :

No.228, Second Cross Street, 11, කොළඹ

Contacts :

Added by Jopie, at 27 August 2016

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Rehan Akhtar

13 May 2018

Very big and nice masjid. Good red clour out side.
Kristy Robinson

23 April 2018

this was the highlight for us in colombo sightseeing wise. it's one of the coolest mosques I've seen and in the centre of busy pettah market. you can get great shots from outside and inside. there's a separate entrance for women. make sure you dress appropriately if you plan to go inside.
Malhar Haari

21 April 2018

One and only historical and most popular and biggest beauty masjid in the Sri Lanka
Nabeel Nazeer

18 April 2018

It is a historic mosque in colombo from long time ago.It is build with nice scene.one of the largest mosque in colombo.comfortable praying place .
Muaz Usman

03 March 2018

Also known as Al Jamiul Alfar Masjid which has a unique architecture, the red-white facade and interior, the multiple entrances and stairways, and the never-ending stream of worshipers make this place fascinating.
Hamdhee Backone

21 February 2018

This historical place of worship known as JAMIUL ALFAR JUMMAH MASJID is referred as SAMMAN KOTTU PALLI in pure Tamil, RATHU PALLIYA in Sinhala and RED MASJID in English is situated in the Muslim concentrated business area of PETTAH (PURAOKOTTAI - Second Cross Street) Colombo.

If necessity is the mother of invention, so be it with the establishment of this MASJID. The devout Muslims needed a place to pray five times a day, this brought about a construction of a common place of worship in 1908, the traveling business Muslims, our forefathers from India realized the need came forward to fulfill this by building the MASJID in the area. It is important not to forget our forefather's dedication and contribution towards building a place of worship which till date has only increased the number of fellow Muslims in the area and the spirit of Islam almost making a stamp of our religion in the area.
Owasiul Islam

19 February 2018

A lovely place. I always try to visit historical mosque of any place where I'm travelling. And I loved this mosque. Among very places in Colombo this should be recommended.
Fuzuly Yuzuf

15 February 2018

Beautiful and calm masjid in the heart of pettah. 2nd cross Street
Mohamed Ramzeen

01 February 2018

Nice and famous masjid / mosque in Sri Lanka which is made by Indians nice architecture design good facilities which is most popular with foreigners and locals it's a historical mosque also
Ashar Brono

03 January 2018

Such a wonderful place for pray and relax
I never ever seen like this
Beautiful but peaceful
Hifni Nazeer

01 January 2018

Nicely built ancient mosque, unique in it's architecture. Love the sweet porridge that was sold just in front of the mosque; the Bankshall Street entrance
Rovik Robert

26 December 2017

Colombo can be slightly uninteresting but the Red Masjid is truly a sight worth taking a walk for. The mosque itself is architecturally stunning and worth exploring but the mere aesthetic beauty of the place will already enthrall you.
Afam Mifar

19 December 2017

If you are a visitor and interested in architecture, must see place in Sri Lanka. Muslim old mosque renowned with existing values.
MILHAN HD

16 December 2017

In the hustle and bustle of Pettah, Colombo’s core commercial district, is situated a most striking building, a spiritual haven called Jamiul Alfar Masjid. This mosque is remarkable because the architecture is Indo-Saracenic, incorporating pomegranate-shaped domes. But the most extraordinary feature is that each brick is painted red or white and used in contrasting designs, which gave rise to its common name, the Red Mosque

During the 18th and 19th Centuries, Javanese and Malaysian Muslims brought by the Dutch and British contributed to the Islamic mix (their descendants are called Sri Lankan Malays). Members of the Borah community (Borah means “trade”), a Yemen-evolved Muslim sub-sect from Gujarat, North India, also arrived during this period, together with descendants of Arab traders who had settled in the state of Tamil Nadu, South India.

The designer and builder was H L Saibo Lebbe and the two-storeyed mosque, incorporating a clocktower, was commenced in 1908 and completed the following year. Lebbe was influenced by the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, which was devised by British architects in the late 19th Century India. Essentially it’s a hybrid style that draws elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, and combines it with the Gothic revival and Neo-Classical styles favoured in Victorian Britain (witness the Houses of Parliament).

The Jamiul Alfar Masjid as it was named – Masjid is Arabic for mosque – is also known in Tamil as Samman Kottu Palli (“Mosque for Muslims of Indian origin”), and in Sinhala as Rathu Palliya (“Red Mosque”). The latter name describes the dominant colour; a colour interrupted on most surfaces by the inclusion of the white-painted bricks in four main designs: striped, checkered, jagged, and spiral. Viewed together, they provide an optical delight that enhances the awesome architecture.

Architects claim the Jamiul Alfar Masjid to be reminiscent of the Jamek Masjid in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, built during the same year. Locally, it has architectural similarities with, surprisingly, the old section of the National Eye Hospital, established in 1906. This bizarre mosque-like red-brick institution with yellow horizontal stripes was also designed in the Indo-Saracenic style by Edward Skinner.

These were some thoughts I had as I travelled through Pettah to the Jamiul Alfar Masjid to witness Jummah, or Friday prayers, and discover the renovation and expansion that will make this the mosque with the largest congregational capacity in Sri Lanka. The Masjid’s beautiful minarets and domes are visible a couple of miles away, rising far above the offices and shops, announcing its presence in no uncertain terms. And when I made the approach down Second Cross Street and saw this extraordinary building for the first time, I was astonished. The pictures tell the story.

I was warmly welcomed by Jafar Ali Farook, Treasurer of the Mosque, who told me the domes were not based on the customary shape of the onion: “the architect used the pomegranate as the shape of the domes—and gave them their natural colour, red!” He showed me how the floors and lower walls had been refurbished with period-looking tiles, and introduced me to an astonishing original feature—four massive teak trees from Puttalam used as supporting columns that pass through the two lower floors.

At a time when it is crucial for non-Muslims to become more aware of Islam, it is encouraging that the Masjid welcomes visitors. Visiting a mosque is a learning experience. The best time is between 10 in the morning and 12noon. At other times the Masjid is crowded with worshippers. Men should wear trousers and plain shirts with the sleeves buttoned. Women should wear modest ankle-length skirts or non-clingy trousers and tops with sleeves. Hair should be covered by a headscarf.
Ahsan Sajid

13 August 2017

Very Old masjid near to the port of colombo,and main market, Masjid maintenance is very nice, very nice masjid information centre, ALLAHOAKBAR
Azan Rahaman

23 July 2017

Colour and the contrast force to look at the mosque twice. And the maintanace is very good because actually can see the mosque clean.
Muhammad Rizky

18 July 2017

Beautiful mosque with all facilities. Can accommodate large crowd. Jummah prayers are conducted here.
Scott Lopez-Gelormino

06 July 2017

Spectacular historical site definitely worth a visit -- just beware that those suspected of not being Muslim will be shunted to a separate office. Best to enter with appropriate dress and explore with the locals to avoid being separated out - and money demanded of you!
Neil

01 July 2017

Amazing building. Women allowed in. Sheets available for wrapping around exposed legs /shoulders. Beautiful! Free, but donation box available
Mohamed Althaf

12 April 2017

Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque was built in 1909 by the Pettah Muslim community to fulfill their required five-times-daily prayer and Jummah on Fridays. It is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo.

Before other landmarks were built, some claim that the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque was recognized as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port.
Spusella Lo

31 January 2017

The friendly guys at the shoe shelves told us to wait in an office. After a while a nice young man came and told us something about the building and Islamic culture. They have a big screen with aerial pictures and with live cam videos from inside the building. That was great because tourists in general and especially women are not allowed into the mosque. All was free of charge, but they have a donation box if you want to leave a little something as a thank you.
Shifan Yang

11 January 2017

It's was build in 1908. It was so huge and amazing to have a tour
Husni Jabir

08 January 2017

Tranquilizing citadel at the city centre.
Clean.
Calm & Quiet.
Beautiful architecture.
Mohd Aar

03 September 2016

MASHA'A ALLAH JAME3 ALADHFAR IN PETTAH BUILT 1908 GOOD ARCHETICTURAL DESIGN