The Blue Mosque of Malaysia: Simple, sophisticated and modern
The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is the largest mosque in Malaysia.
(Web Desk) - The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is the largest mosque in Malaysia. Due to its majorly blue exterior, it is also known as the Blue Mosque.
Located in the state of Selangor Malaysia, the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque has the honour of being the second largest mosque in South East Asia, after Indonesia s Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. Construction of the mosque was started in 1982, and it was completed in 1988.
At the time of construction, the mosque s 142 metres high minarets were the tallest in the world. Now this record is held by Morocco s Hassan II mosque. However, with a diametre of 52 metres and a height of 107 metres the dome of the mosque has the distinction of being the largest in the world.
The most significant feature of the mosque is its blue dome with criss-cross white stripes. As the mosque was built recently, it lacks the intricate and exquisite artwork that is found on many ancient mosques. However, the mosque s essence lies in its simplicity, modernity and sophistication.
The design of the mosque is a fusion of Malaysian and Middle Eastern architecture. The calligraphy inside the mosque was done by an Egyptian calligrapher, the minbar was crafted by Indonesian craftsmen. The mihrab was made of antique marble tiles imported from Turkey.
Moreover, delicately designed aluminium grills can be found on the doorways, windows and walls of the mosque. The windows of the mosque have a bluish tinge in order to tone down the light entering the mosque. This also results in a bluish aura inside the mosque that is a source of calm for visitors and worshippers.
The mosque has an administrative office, conference rooms, library, reception and lecture rooms. Tourists are allowed inside the mosque for educational tours. The mosque has the capacity to house 16,000 worshippers.
