Jami Mosque of Air Tiris was built in 1901 and inaugurated in 1904, and it is the oldest mosque in Kampar Regency. It was built with a blend of Malay and Chinese architectural styles, with a three-tiered roof in the shape of a pyramid. Originally, the entire building was made of wood, including the roof, but today the roof is replaced with a tin roof. The building has 40 wooden pillars which symbolize the minimum number of persons required for Friday Prayer. It is also uniquely constructed by only using pegs and without nails, thus built with minimum expenses.[1][2]
The building was originally a site of Air Tiris market on the riverbank which was founded in 1881. The construction of the mosque was carried out jointly by the local people of Air Tiris, led by the local leader Datuk Ongku Mudo Songkal.[3] The architect was H. Burhanuddin and the construction committee involved the leaders of 24 tribes in the village of Air Tiris.[3] The building is said to be inspired by Demak Mosque in Central Java. The mosque was inaugurated with a qurbani (ritual animal sacrifice) of 10 buffalos.[1][2]
The locals believe the divine power protects the mosque. It is said the Dutch colonial government once attempted to burn the mosque by dousing it with oil, but the mosque stood intact.[3] In 2016, there was a severe flood, with the surrounding area submerged in water, but the water did not rise in the mosque compound. There are several artifacts inside the mosque that locals believe endowed by divine power, including two wooden pillars of the mosque as well as a sacred stone in the shape of a buffalo head.[1]
The mosque is a popular destination for the locals, especially during the Islamic holidays of Isra and Miraj, Maulid Nabi, and Eid al-Fitr. Recently, many international tourists visit the place especially from Malaysia and Singapore.[1]
