Here are some of the most beautiful and unique mosques you can visit while you’re here.
1. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Brunei
Completed in 1958, this majestic mosque has been the pride of this oil-rich country that adheres to strict Islamic principles.
This stunning, Mughal-inspired mosque was named after Sultan Omar Ali Saifudden III, the 28th king of Brunei.
Built at the cost of $5 million, certainly no expense was spared in sourcing the finest materials to deck out the complex.
This includes marble from Italy, granite from China, crystal chandeliers from England and carpets from Saudi Arabia. The main dome is even covered in pure gold!
Situated in an artificial lagoon surrounding the mosque is a replica of the Sultan Bolkiah Mahligai, a historical 16th century royal barge.
2. Abdul Gafoor Mosque, Singapore
You must not miss out on this pretty mosque when visiting Singapore’s vibrant Little India neighbourhood.
Constructed in the early 1900s, the mosque was built in Indo-Saracenic style, where the grandeur of Indian royal palaces meets European neoclassical formalism.
Pale yellow and army green coat the exterior walls, which are studded with the crescent moons and stars often associated with Islam.
What makes it a real stunner is the attention to detail, including verandas with cinquefoil arches and balustrades, Corinthian columns, as well as miniature minarets that line the parapet.
The mosque was gazetted as a national monument by Singapore in 1979.
3. Cheng Ho Mosque, Indonesia
Inaugurated in 2006, the Cheng Ho Mosque has a rather long official name – Al Islam Muhammad Cheng Hoo Sriwijaya Palembang Mosque.
The mosque was named after Zheng He, the celebrated Chinese Muslim explorer and diplomat who visited Palembang four times during the 15th century Ming treasure voyages.
Featuring bright red pillars and curved, golden yellow roofs, it looks more like a modern day Buddhist temple than a mosque at first sight.
The main prayer hall is flanked by two minarets named Habluminallah (relationship with God) and Hambluminannas (relationship with other people).
The 17-metre tall, pagoda-style minarets feature five floors to symbolise the five obligatory daily prayers for Muslims.
4. The 300 Year Old Mosque, Thailand
Built in 1634, this mosque – the oldest in Thailand – never fails to charm visitors with its humble, rugged allure.
Also known as Al-Hussein Mosque or Taloh Manoh Mosque, it is located in Narathiwat, a southern Thai province that borders the Malaysian states of Perak and Kelantan.
Incorporating traditional Thai architecture with Malay elements, the building was made entirely with wood from the hummingbird tree and ironwood tree.
No nails were used in the construction. Instead, interlocking wedges were used to secure the wooden structure together.
The roofs were originally thatched with palm tree leaves before being replaced with red clay tiles.
5. Crystal Mosque, Malaysia
Set on the banks of the tranquil Terengganu River, the mosque is a true beauty by day and a real stunner at night, when it is illuminated by multi-coloured lights.
Constructed from steel, glass and crystal, it features Mughal-style bulbous domes and stately minarets.
Equipped with wifi to accommodate people reading the electronic Quran, it became Malaysia’s first intelligent mosque when it was completed in 2008.
The mosque is located inside the Islamic Heritage Park, which also houses 15 replicas of iconic Islamic buildings, including India’s Taj Mahal and China’s Great Mosque of Xi’an.
6. Grand Mosque of West Sumatra, Indonesia
nspired by traditional Minangkabau houses, the Grand Mosque of West Sumatera is certainly a sight to behold for visitors to Padang.
Its most notable feature is the dramatic, upwardly curved gables emblazoned with Indonesian songket (woven textile) motifs.
The main prayer hall is located on the second floor, and this three-storey building can accommodate 20,000 people at a time.
Engineered to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, it also functions as an evacuation centre in the event of an emergency.
The mosque is the brainchild of local architect Rizal Muslimin, whose design was selected from 300 proposals from around the world in a 2007 contest held by the local government.
According to airasia.com
