สำนักงานคณะกรรมการอิสลามประจำกรุงเทพมหานคร(สนง.กอ.กทม.)
The Historical Background of Masjid Kudee Luang
This community, also known as
Shit’ite Moslems, began to construct their own permanent places of worship on
the western bank (Thonburi side) of the Chaophraya River. Both the
constructions and religious rituals were placed under the patronage of King
Rama l.
A few years thereafter the
Moslem community became more consolidated as they continued their religious
rituals. At the same time King Rama l created a new city known as Krungthep and
He re-introduced the protocols and system of the Ayuthaya period. He also
re-called those who had been high ranking officials during the Ayuthaya period
to again serve his court.
The Phraya Chularajamontri controlled
the Trade and Finance of Siam which strengthened the Moslem community known as
KudeeChaosen (also known as KudeeLuang, Kudee Bon and Banbon). The KudeeChaosen
settled nearby Wat Arun(the Temple of Dawn) at the mouth of Klong Mon(Mon
canal).
KudeeLuang meant the place of worship granted by King Rama l and placed under
His patronage. Kudee Pak Klong Mon meant the place of worship located at the
mouth of Klong Mon which connected to the Chaophraya River.
Kudee Bon meant a place of worship of higher standing than the other places of
worship.
The first Kudee Luang became the most
important area for the Shi’ite Moslem (Kheak Chaosen) communi ty and remained
so for some 150 years until the change of the Monarch’s position under the
Democratic Revolution of 1932. In 1933 the Government ordered that the
KudeeChaosen be relocated to an area on Prannok road in the Bangkok Noi
district lasting until the present time, as they wanted the land for the
establishment of a naval base.
The Shi’ite Moslem place of
worship has their own prominent ancestor such as ChaophrayaBovornrajanayok (Sheik
Ahmad), the Persian trader who arrived by sea at Ayuthaya circa 1600 (the
latter period of King Naraysuan) became a large and wealthy trader who served
the King’s court specifically during the reign of King Song Dhrama and
continued the trade with the West until he reached the highest position as
advisor to King Court at the time of King Prasatthong.
His descendants gained the trust
of the King’s court in the position of Chula Rajmontri who controlled the
Finance, Trading and leadership of the Moslem society in the Kingdom of
Thailand until the time of the Great Change in 1932.
List of Leaders or Imams of Masjid Kudee Luang
1. Phraya
Chularajamontri (Konkaew) King Rama 1
2. Phraya Chularajamontri (Thuen) King Rama 2 – 3
3. Phraya Chularajamontri (Naam) King Rama 3 – 4
4. Phraya Chularajmontri (Sin) King Rama 5
5. Phraya Chularajamontri (San Ahmadchula) King Rama 6
6. Phra Chularajamontri (Kasem Ahmadchula) King Rama 6
7. Phra Chularajmontri (Son Ahmadchula ) King Rama 7
9. Haji Krasae Chularatana King Rama 9
10. Mr. Staporn Suksamran King Rama 9
11. Mr. Satienrapab Suksamran (Shiek Muhammad Ali) King Rama 9
Masjid KudeeLuang or KudeeLuang
The original was
located on the western bank of the Chaophraya River at the mouth of Klong Mon (Mon
Canal). This place was called “Kudee Bon” or “Ban Bon” at the early
Rattanakosin period of King Rama l. The King granted the land and gave his
patronage to the religious place of worship to Phraya Chula Rajamontri
(KonKaew) the son of Phraya Chula Rajamontri (Shen).
He brought the Shi’ite Moslems of his previous community to settle in this area
until the constitutional change in 1933. The Government under the leadership of
Field Marshal PorPiboonsongkram wanted to combine this land with other to use
as a naval base. The community was relocated to a new area located on Prannok
road, Banshanglor sub-district until the present time.
