STAYING committed to cultural continuity and relevance, the Penang Harmony Corporation (Harmonico) has launched a unique initiative celebrating the architectural and spiritual heritage of the state’s houses of worship.
Titled Anatomy of Houses of Worship, the exhibition and accompanying publication provide an in-depth exploration of Penang’s diverse religious landmarks, highlighting their distinctive architectural features and cultural significance.
Running from March 24 to April 4 at the open courts in Straits Quay, the initiative is a collaboration between Harmonico and The One Academy Penang, bringing together 47 creative students from various disciplines to contribute their ideas and design expertise.
As part of their preparation, the students visited several houses of worship across Penang, gaining firsthand exposure to the state’s rich tapestry of faiths and sacred spaces.
The book delves into seven distinct architectural typologies, each representing a major religious tradition, namely the Chinese Buddhist Temple, Church, Gurdwara, Hindu Temple, Mosque, Taoist Temple, Wat.
Beyond architecture, it also serves as a guide to proper etiquette and respectful practices when visiting these sacred sites.
Featured in the book are seven prominent places of worship, each representing a different faith, and they are the Chanthararam Wat Thai Buddhist Temple (Thai Buddhism), Masjid Jamek Sungai Rambai (Islam), Shri Maha Mangalayagi Amman Devasthanam (Hinduism), Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam (Christianity), Hai Tang Ma (Chinese Buddhism), Gurdwara Sahib Perai (Sikhism), and Butterworth Simpah Kuan Im Teng Temple (Taoism).
These sites form an integral part of Penang’s multicultural heritage, making this initiative a significant step toward fostering interfaith appreciation and dialogue.
Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze stressed the importance of such initiatives in strengthening unity among communities.
“In a world where differences can sometimes lead to division, knowledge and appreciation of each other’s traditions serve as powerful tools to bridge gaps.
“When we take the time to learn about each other’s religious spaces, practices, rituals, and traditions, we nurture greater respect and harmony in our hearts,” she said during the exhibition opening ceremony earlier today.
Meanwhile, Harmonico manager Paul Au stated that the book is on sale online, and for those interested in it, kindly visit https://www.harmonico.my/anatomy for more details.
With Anatomy of Houses of Worship, Penang takes another step forward in preserving its rich cultural legacy while promoting mutual respect among its people.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian