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National Mosque ~ Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur
KL Visitors Guide

HOME > VISITORS GUIDE > PLACES TO VISIT > KL LAKE GARDENS AREA > NATIONAL MOSQUE

The National Mosque is Malaysia's principal mosque and one of the most prominent buildings in the city. This uniquely designed mosque embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Malay and Islamic design.

The most striking feature of it is the multi-fold umbrella-like roof which
symbolises the aspirations of an independent nation.

The National Mosque has 48 small domes with a main dome Situated among 12 hectares of beautiful gardens, the mosque was built in 1965 on the site of a church, the Venning Road Brethren Gospel Hall which had stood there since 1922 and appropriated by the Malaysian government.

Its location was chosen by the country first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj; as he want it to be easily accessible by those people from outstation who come to the city by train.

It is common then for Muslims travellers to drop by at the nearest mosque to cleanse up and perform their prayers before continuing their journey or if it is late in the evening, mosque is also often used a place for them to stay over.

A proposal was made to name the mosque Masjid Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, in recognition of Tunku’s efforts in guiding the country to gaining independence. However, Tunku refused this honour; on the contrary he named it Masjid Negara (national Mosque) in thanksgiving for the country’s peaceful independence without bloodshed.

The grand prayer hallThe grand prayer hall that is topped by the main dome with folded-plate roof in the shape of "semi-opened umbrella" with pleats radiating from the centre. This striking feature has 16 pleats that symbolises the 5 pillars of Islam and the 11 original states of then Malaya.

The folded plates of the concrete main roof is a creative solution to achieving the larger spans required in the main gathering hall. Reflecting pools and fountains spread throughout the compound.
The minaret is in the shape of "closed umbrella" stands at 72 metres

Its minaret is in the shape of "closed umbrella" stands at 72 metres from the ground. The original structure was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department - UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and Baharuddin Kassim.

Fountains spread throughout the compound.

Completed in 1965 at a cost of RM10 million, the building consist of a prayer hall, multipurpose hall, the warrior mausoleum, a library, offices, open courtyard and the minaret. The upper deck houses the main prayer hall and a reflecting pool. The Grand Hall which easily accommodates up to 8000 people, is surrounded by deep verandas which are screened off by white grilles of traditional Islamic designs. The floor of the Grand Hall is carpeted and the remaining area is finished in terrazzo.

The warrior mausoleumThe Dewan (multipurpose hall,) is located on the South side of the mosque and serves as an all-purpose hall with a seating capacity for 500 persons.

The mausoleum, situated at the rear of the mosque, stands in a circular reflecting pool and is connected to the main building by a covered foot-bridge. It is circular in shape and is covered by a pleated shell concrete dome similar in shape to that of the Grand Hall but with only seven folds, one of which covers a reserve for the national hero’s tomb.

The National Mosque courtyard is partly covered by 48 independent concrete parasols to provide shade from the sun and shelter from the heavy and regular tropical rain. There is a fountain for ablution located on the floor beneath.

It has the distinction of having being visited by President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. on April 2014..

Note
◊ Other places of interest within a short walk is the Railway Station and the Islamic Arts Centre.
◊ Visitors are required to remove their shoes. As with all mosques you are required to take off your shoes (and cover your head if you’re a woman). Make sure you are suitably dressed if you want to go inside. Special robes are provided if you are not appropriately attired. including headscarf for women.
◊ Open to tourist from 9:00am -12:30p / 2:00pm - 3:30pm and 5:00pm - 6:30pm.


Best Way to Visit - Take KL City Tour
A private tour that allows you to see the major landmarks of the city and its suburbs.

PLACES & SIGHTSEEING ~ LAKE GARDENS AREA
• PARLIAMENT HOUSE • NATIONAL MONUMENT • BUTTERFLY PARK • ORCHID & HIBISCUS GARDENS
• KL BIRD PARK • ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM • NATIONAL MOSQUE • OLD RAILWAY STATION
• NATIONAL MUSEUM
 

 

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