The National Mosque of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur (15 November, 2009)


B. Melayu

The National Mosque of Malaysia (GPS: 3.14181, 101.6918), also called Masjid Negara, is the main mosque for Malaysia. It was completed in 1963 and was officially opened on 27 August 1965. Built of reinforced concrete, the National Mosque symbolizes the aspirations of the newly independent country. It is a modern contrast to the Jamek Mosque, which was the main mosque for Kuala Lumpur before its completion.

The National Mosque is located on a 13-acre piece of landscaped gardens in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The original structure was designed by a team from the Public Works Department including UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and Dato Baharuddin Kassim. The prayer hall of the National Mosque is 22,500 square feet in size, and can accommodate 15,000 worshippers.

Before the National Mosque was built, there was a church on the site. The Venning Road Gospel Hall was given another site off Jalan Imbi, and is known today as the Jalan Imbi Chapel.

The main features of the National Mosque is the 18-pointed star concrete main roof and the 73-meter-tall (245 ft) minaret. The umbrella, a ubiquitous item in the tropics, is represented in the architecture of the main roof of the mosque which appears like an open umbrella. On the other hand, the cap of the minaret resembles a folded one. The design is a contemporary interpretation of traditional Islamic art of calligraphy and ornamentation. The compound of the National Mosque is graced with reflecting pools and fountains.

When the National Mosque was renovated in 1987, its once-pink concrete roof is cladded in green and blue tiles. An underground passage leads from the mosque to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.

Within the compound of the National Mosque is the Warriors' Mausoleum.

National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur (15 November, 2009)


National Mosque (8 February, 2006)


National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur (8 February, 2006)


The grounds of the National Mosque of Malaysia (11 July, 2016)

Taking public transport to the National Mosque

The National Mosque is on Jalan Perdana in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The nearest LRT station is the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, which is just next to the mosque. You can also take the KTM Komuter train to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. And finally, the RapidKL downtown bus terminal is also next to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, and is served by RapidKL bus U63, U64, U65, U66(W), U66, U67 and U69. On top of that, the free GoKL City Bus also makes a stop at the National Mosque. Check out its route to see if it suits you.

The National Mosque is on map of Mosques in Kuala Lumpur

Commemorating 50 years of the National Mosque

On 27 August, 2015, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the official opening of the National Mosque, Pos Malaysia is issuing a set of commemorative postage stamps. At the same time, Bank Negara Malaysia also issues a commemorative coin for the occasion. The stamps are issued in the denominations of 70 sen, 80 sen and RM 1.00, with an empty folder at RM6.35. There is a logo of the 50 Years Celebration on the top left corner of the RM 1.00 stamp depicting the National Mosque. I am pleased that my photograph of the National Mosque was selected to appear on the RM1 postage stamp. The photo is actually of a replica of the National Mosque at Taman Tamadun Islam, an Islamic-themed monument park in Kuala Terengganu.

Replica of the National Mosque at Taman Tamadun Islam, Kuala Terengganu (19 February, 2011)


I arrived at the General Post Office with my wife at around 8:20 am. I saw that though the door has not opened, already there was a line of people queueing outside. As soon as I approached the line, I saw some friends in the line calling to me. I felt so honoured that they are lining up to buy "my" stamp.

As soon as the post office doors opened, the line moved in an orderly manner to the counter. There was no pushing or shoving. Everybody kept to his position, even when anyone has to leave the line and return to it.

I am greatly honored when my friends asked me to sign on their First Day Covers. It is a special moment for me and for them, and I hope they will treasure this unique memento for years to come.

My the National Mosque Postage Stamp (27 August, 2015)


Masjid-Masjid Malaysia First Day Covers (27 August, 2015)

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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