The only mosque on Samui is located in a small Muslim village in the southern part of the island. The main occupation and source of income for the residents of this village is fishing; it is from here that most of the fish and seafood for Samui's restaurants and shops comes.
The village itself looks very poor and somewhat run-down. Against the backdrop of abandoned piers, small shack-like houses huddle together, and the narrow lanes are forever steeped in the smell of drying and smoking fish. However, fishing villages have never been known for wealthy estates and luxurious parks, because they are home to simple and tough working people who earn their living through hard labor.
But the villagers turned out to be very devout: Masjid Nurul Ihsan Mosque looks picture-perfect, especially against the backdrop of the general shabbiness and poverty. It rises above the low houses, gleaming with cleanliness and the whiteness of its walls.
The large classical building is crowned with two green minaret domes decorated with a golden crescent and star. Inside, the mosque is lined with marble; it is very spacious, quiet, and cozy. Quite a striking sight against the backdrop of fishermen's houses and narrow lanes.
Besides the mosque, there is one more pleasant place in the village – a market with the freshest fish and seafood, a wide selection of vegetables and fruits, and very reasonable prices.
