GEORGE TOWN, July 3 -- The late Syed Mustapha Idris, affectionately known as Dato Koyah, used to make porridge for people who came to him for help.

Known for his mystical healing powers, he made medicine from local herbs and roots.

He was a respected spiritual teacher among the Malayalee and Tamil Muslim communities in George Town.

When he died on April 8th in 1840, a shrine was built to commemorate him and today, it is known as Makam Dato Koyah.

The British East India Company donated the land where the shrine was built and also named one of the roads leading to it after him.

The shrine has South Indian architectural influences and is similar in style to other Indian Muslim shrines in this region.

There were many stories of the myst...