Simon Soon
In the early 1800s, the Pinang river was used by Acehnese and Malay traders to convey goods to the interior of the island. Mesjid Maqbul was initially established nearby as a shelter and prayer hall (surau), made with nibong palm. The original structure was rebuilt in brick in 1850, and was known as Mesjid Tuan Guru. The congregation was split after the Penang riots of 1867. A section went off to found the adjacent Mesjid Bahru; Mesjid Maqbul was then known as Mesjid Lama Sungai Pinang.
