Kampung Banggol cemetery claimed as Malaysia's largest and longest

The Kampung Banggol Islamic cemetery in Kota Bharu is reportedly one of Malaysia's largest and longest burial grounds, steeped in centuries of history. Spanning almost eight hectares, it includes private land and a significant portion of Waqf (endowed) land, divided into 20 sections.

Local lore suggests the cemetery dates back hundreds of years and is linked to the tomb of Cik Siti Wan Kembang. It has served as the final resting place for prominent religious scholars, such as the former Mufti of Kelantan, the late Datuk Mohd. Noor Ibrahim, and the late Abdul Samad Muhammad Saleh, also known as Tuan Tabal.

Muhammad A’mmar Azlan, the Imam of Masjid Sultan Ismail Petra Mukim Banggol, explained that most burials are for residents of the surrounding areas. He noted that the area's name, "Banggol," is said to derive from its rarity of floods compared to other locations.

Previously overgrown with forest, the cemetery underwent a significant cleanup initiative three years ago by the Kelantan Islamic Religious Council (MAIK) and the mosque committee. A local resident, aged 55, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed hearing claims of the cemetery's size since childhood but could not verify their accuracy. He described the graves as large and long, with many local families choosing it for burials. The proximity of homes to the cemetery means residents can see tombstones and various grave markers from their windows.