Muslims have been told not to be too reliant on the Penang government if they are interested in preserving, developing and promoting their heritage.

                

Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang (YIPP) manager Mohd Fitri Ibrahim said contrary to claims by right-wing Malay NGOs, the Muslim heritage is very much alive within the United Nations’ George Town Heritage site, which earned the prestigious award in 2008.

However, the site, which houses historical buildings like the Syed Alattas Mansion, which existed since 1860 and the Lebuh Aceh Malay Mosque since 1908 are not promoted  properly due to lack of interest within the community itself.

"These NGOs or interested parties do not come forward or propose anything to the state government to develop the area, nor have they indicated their interest to participate in the ongoing projects we have," Mohd Fitri told Malaysiakini in an interview.

He said Malay Muslims should learn from other communities on how to be self-reliant if they are interested in preserving their heritage.

"Just look at the the Khoo Kongsi, a large Chinese clan house on Cannon Street, which does not depend on the state government for funding. They have their own funds and are self sustaining,” he pointed out.

"The state government has very limited budget. The state cannot do much if there is no help. We have NGOs, agencies and political parties but nobody engages with us on how to revitalise or rejuvenate this area," he lamented.

Mohd Fitri urged Muslims to work with non-Muslims so that more ideas and knowledge can be shared to improve their heritage sites.

For example, he is glad to hear that Penang Municipal Councillor Ong Ah Teong had requested for the Syed Mustafa Muslim cemetery along Jalan Cambell to be preserved even as the area surrounding it is being developed.

The cemetery is located inside the Campbell Street market, which was built around the 1990s, and the MPPP is currently upgrading  and renovating the market.

"Non-Muslims are interested to work with us but sometimes due to the current political environment, the gap between the different communities is widening," he said.

"We, Muslims, must do more to expose our culture and practices to non-Muslims, to show them that peace is for everyone," he added.

'Look into the mirror'

Meanwhile, Mohd Fitri said Malay heritage sites also face a dire need to improve their "products".

By products, he meant "historical items" such as the stretch of shoplots along Lebuh Aceh under YIPP which remain abandoned, as not many units are in use or rented out.

These units, he added, could be rented out to Malay societies or Muslim NGOs, who can then organise activities to promote the community's living heritage.

"Other than just blaming the state, every Muslim has a responsibility towards their heritage or culture. They cannot blame others for the poor state of the heritage area," Mohd Fitri said.

"We must look at the mirror and see our own faces first," he added.

Mohd Fitri also denied that Muslim heritage land is being taken away due to development as there are wakaf land in the George Town Heritage site owned by Majlis Agama Pulau Pinang (Maipp).

"We have an open government now, interested parties who want to develop the products we have can propose their ideas to the state government," he said.

He added that there are already some initiatives by YIPP which has set up the Galeri Khat Pulau Pinang, which showcases the culture, history, values and art of Penang Muslims.

There are also plans to develop Lebuh Aceh as "Little Jeddah" by setting up the Haj Gallery and a project called "Journey of the Lebuh Aceh Malay Mosque".

Presently YIPP is organising several fundraising activities to upgrade and sustain the Syed Alattas Mansion, which is depleted and needs urgent upgrading.

"We hope all Muslim agencies and societies, even those from other states, can help us restore the past to build the future," he said.