Masjid Warisan Al-Khairiah, Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh

Masjid Warisan Al-Khairiah, Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh is located within the Ulu Kinta Mukim, Kinta District, Perak. The mosque was inaugurated by DYAM Raja Ekram ibni Sultan Yusuf Izzudin on February 16, 1968. DYAM Raja Ekram was the Raja Di-Hilir Perak (1963-1978). The mosque is situated between two tombs of the Kinta Territorial Chiefs (Orang Besar Jajahan Kinta), namely the 3rd Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa DiRaja (SABD) Toh Changkat Rembiah (1740-1765) and the 7th Panglima Kinta SABD Ngah Jabor (1850-1876). Also located near the mosque is the tomb of the 1st Panglima Kinta SABD, Toh Tambak (1670-1710).

According to local elders, this is the third iteration of the mosque. The first structure was made of wood and located near the tomb of the 3rd Panglima Kinta SABD, Toh Changkat Rembiah. The first structure collapsed without a trace. The second structure was also made of wood and was relocated to an area near Gunung Matsurat, Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh, but it eventually collapsed due to age. The mosque was relocated to make way for the construction of the brick building now known as Masjid Warisan Al-Khairiah, Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh. The site of this mosque is associated with the hiding place of the 25th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Ismail (1871-1874), the 6th Dato Maharaja Lela Pandak Lam, Dato Sagor Ngah Kamdin, and their followers during the outbreak of the Perak War in 1875. Sultan Ismail brought with him the royal regalia of the Perak Malay Sultanate and 20 elephants. At that time, the village was under the jurisdiction of the 7th Panglima Kinta SABD Ngah Jabor and led by the 9th Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa (SNW) Itam Dewi. After finding the location unsafe, the Sultan swore by driving his sword into the ground that he would return to rule the State of Perak one day, before departing with his followers.

Based on Kinta Land Office documents at the National Archives, it is believed that the mosque site existed before 1911. Under the Land Enactment of 1911 (Section 9), the British Resident declared a portion of land in Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh, Perak (plan number 19242) as a reserve for a Malay mosque and an Islamic cemetery. It was maintained by the 12th Panglima Kinta SABD Che Wan (1905-1947) and his successors appointed by the Kinta District Officer. It was gazetted in 1914 under the administration of the 9th British Resident of Perak, Reginald George Watson (1913-1919). According to Kinta Land Office documents, before the site was endowed (wakaf), it was owned by four prominent figures in Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh: the 9th Toh Senongsa SNW Itam Dewi, the 5th Toh Senongsa SNW Andak Selamah, the 7th Panglima Kinta SABD Ngah Jabor, and the 8th Toh Senongsa SNW Badiozaman.

Today, Masjid Warisan Al-Khairiah, Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh no longer functions as a regular mosque due to the existence of the nearby Masjid Al-Khairiah, Kampung Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh (New Mosque). The mosque is currently in a very dilapidated and worn-out state, requiring urgent restoration. It has been proposed that the mosque be restored and maintained to preserve and enhance its heritage value, allowing it to function as a Knowledge Center for the benefit of the local community. Sources and references:

• "Salasilah Keturunan Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa DiRaja dan Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa", compiled by Tuan Haji Fazil Shuhaimi Talib, published by the Kulop Kinta Family Association (PK3)
• "Titles and Ceremonial Traditions of the Royalty and Nobility of the State of Perak, Malaysia", written by Dr. Adib Vincent Tung, published by Perak Academy.
• "Kenali Kampung Kepayang", directed by Mukriz Mahader, published by Astro AWANI.
• "Pasir Salak, Pusat Gerakan Menentang British di Perak", written by Abdullah Zakaria Ghazali, published by Yayasan Perak.
• "Kinta Valley: Pioneering Malaysia's Modern Development", written by Salma Nasution Khoo and Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, published by Perak Academy.