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A quick tour of Malaysia's dazzling mosques

Mosques are not only Muslim houses of worship; in many parts of the Muslim world, they are also stunning tourist attractions thanks to their architecture and history. MalaysiaNow stops by some of the most beautiful mosques in the Klang Valley.

Photographs by MalaysiaNow

The Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, or Masjid Jamek, located at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was built in 1909 by traders from India and is the oldest mosque in the capital.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, or Masjid Jamek, located at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was built in 1909 by traders from India and is the oldest mosque in the capital.
Foreign tourists must wear robes before being allowed on mosque grounds if their clothing does not conform to mosque etiquette.
Foreign tourists must wear robes before being allowed on mosque grounds if their clothing does not conform to mosque etiquette.
Tourists take in the view around Masjid Jamek, the entrance of which is decorated with rows of date trees.
Tourists take in the view around Masjid Jamek, the entrance of which is decorated with rows of date trees.
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Outside the mosque, the lush trees and greenery are well maintained. Giant hydraulic umbrellas also decorate the exterior, for use if there are too many in the congregation for Friday prayers.
Outside the mosque, the lush trees and greenery are well maintained. Giant hydraulic umbrellas also decorate the exterior, for use if there are too many in the congregation for Friday prayers.
The Al Bukhary Mosque in Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur, was built to replace the 147-year-old Babul Jannah surau. In the background stands the Merdeka 118 tower, the second tallest building in the world.
The Al Bukhary Mosque in Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur, was built to replace the 147-year-old Babul Jannah surau. In the background stands the Merdeka 118 tower, the second tallest building in the world.
The Al Bukhary Mosque can fit about 10,000 worshippers at any given time, making it one of the biggest mosques in Kuala Lumpur.
The Al Bukhary Mosque can fit about 10,000 worshippers at any given time, making it one of the biggest mosques in Kuala Lumpur.
The Al-Sultan Abdullah Mosque, located in Merdeka 118, also functions as a community hub with multi-purpose halls on the first and second floors.
The Al-Sultan Abdullah Mosque, located in Merdeka 118, also functions as a community hub with multi-purpose halls on the first and second floors.
It is surrounded by greenery and courtyards for prayer, and features a walkway covered in glass.
It is surrounded by greenery and courtyards for prayer, and features a walkway covered in glass.
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The interior of the mosque was designed to maximise space, with high ceilings and open spaces for prayer.
The interior of the mosque was designed to maximise space, with high ceilings and open spaces for prayer.
The National Mosque is the main mosque in the capital city where official events are held. It was built in 1963 and can take up to 15,000 worshippers.
The National Mosque is the main mosque in the capital city where official events are held. It was built in 1963 and can take up to 15,000 worshippers.
Tourists walk up the steps to the mosque, which is located near the train station in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Tourists walk up the steps to the mosque, which is located near the train station in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
The mosque has a floor area of approximately 46,000 square metres and features a host of facilities including a library and education centre.
The mosque has a floor area of approximately 46,000 square metres and features a host of facilities including a library and education centre.
The dome of the mosque features a unique 18-point star pattern, representing the 13 states and the federal territories, unity and diversity. It was designed by architect Baharuddin Kassim, who died last August.
The dome of the mosque features a unique 18-point star pattern, representing the 13 states and the federal territories, unity and diversity. It was designed by architect Baharuddin Kassim, who died last August.
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This tower is about 73m tall. Its geometric patterns reflect the overall design of the mosque.
This tower is about 73m tall. Its geometric patterns reflect the overall design of the mosque.
The mosque is also home to the Heroes' Mausoleum, where the country's highest leaders are laid to rest.
The mosque is also home to the Heroes' Mausoleum, where the country's highest leaders are laid to rest.
Among those laid to rest here are Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia's second prime minister, and Hussein Onn, the third prime minister.
Among those laid to rest here are Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia's second prime minister, and Hussein Onn, the third prime minister.
The Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, also known as the Pink Mosque, was named after Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, and appears to float on water.
The Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, also known as the Pink Mosque, was named after Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, and appears to float on water.
Tourists take pictures against the 116m-high dome.
Tourists take pictures against the 116m-high dome.
A staff member separates the robes used by tourists during their visit to the mosque.
A staff member separates the robes used by tourists during their visit to the mosque.
Explanations of Islam are given in different languages for non-Muslim tourists in the main prayer hall.
Explanations of Islam are given in different languages for non-Muslim tourists in the main prayer hall.
This mosque, known as Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim Klang, is one of the newest mosques in the Klang Valley.
This mosque, known as Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim Klang, is one of the newest mosques in the Klang Valley.
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It was inspired by the design of the Great Mosque of Xi'an, one of the oldest mosques in China, originally built in 742 AD. Unlike other mosques, it does not have a dome.
It was inspired by the design of the Great Mosque of Xi'an, one of the oldest mosques in China, originally built in 742 AD. Unlike other mosques, it does not have a dome.
Visitors are greeted by Chinese calligraphy at the main entrance, and bonsai plants which evoke the oriental culture.
Visitors are greeted by Chinese calligraphy at the main entrance, and bonsai plants which evoke the oriental culture.
The mosque was built around the concept of a courtyard, and has a unique minaret featuring Chinese architecture.
The mosque was built around the concept of a courtyard, and has a unique minaret featuring Chinese architecture.
It cost about RM30 million to build this mosque, including the four-storey building where the imams' quarters are housed. It was funded by the Selangor government as well as public donations through the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association.
It cost about RM30 million to build this mosque, including the four-storey building where the imams' quarters are housed. It was funded by the Selangor government as well as public donations through the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association.
The prayer hall can fit 350 worshippers, with 1,000 more in the open space beyond.
The prayer hall can fit 350 worshippers, with 1,000 more in the open space beyond.
A visitor looks at scripts from the Quran written by an imam from China.
A visitor looks at scripts from the Quran written by an imam from China.
The Klang Indian Muslim Mosque was built in 1904, on a site granted by Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah to an Indian trader from Tamil Nadu, Mohamad Kassim, who had close ties with the Selangor royal family.
The Klang Indian Muslim Mosque was built in 1904, on a site granted by Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah to an Indian trader from Tamil Nadu, Mohamad Kassim, who had close ties with the Selangor royal family.
It boasts a rich heritage reminiscent of the colourful culture of the Indian Muslim traders who made Klang their home.
It boasts a rich heritage reminiscent of the colourful culture of the Indian Muslim traders who made Klang their home.
The Klang Royal Town Mosque along the Klang river gives the impression of a floating mosque. It was built on the site of a small mosque known as Masjid Klang Utara.
The Klang Royal Town Mosque along the Klang river gives the impression of a floating mosque. It was built on the site of a small mosque known as Masjid Klang Utara.
The Al-Ikhlas Mosque in Section 13, Shah Alam, is a completely modern building with none of the characteristics of traditional mosques.
The Al-Ikhlas Mosque in Section 13, Shah Alam, is a completely modern building with none of the characteristics of traditional mosques.
It features contemporary elements, with walkways and a landscape filled with creepers.
It features contemporary elements, with walkways and a landscape filled with creepers.
It can fit 1,500 worshippers and uses natural light in addition to the electric lights in the prayer hall.
It can fit 1,500 worshippers and uses natural light in addition to the electric lights in the prayer hall.
The blue Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is one of Malaysia's most famous landmarks. Its dome is the second largest in the world.
The blue Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is one of Malaysia's most famous landmarks. Its dome is the second largest in the world.
Its perimeter is decorated with geometrical perforated carvings with repeating floral patterns.
Its perimeter is decorated with geometrical perforated carvings with repeating floral patterns.
Tourists have flocked to see the mosque since its opening in 1988.
Tourists have flocked to see the mosque since its opening in 1988.
The mosque can fit 20,000 worshippers and its four chandeliers, worth RM2 million, were donated by Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.
The mosque can fit 20,000 worshippers and its four chandeliers, worth RM2 million, were donated by Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.
The seven-foot pulpit was carved by local experts in the pattern of old mosques in the country.
The seven-foot pulpit was carved by local experts in the pattern of old mosques in the country.
The Sri Sendayan Mosque in Negeri Sembilan cost RM100 million and is often described as the most beautiful mosque in the country.
The Sri Sendayan Mosque in Negeri Sembilan cost RM100 million and is often described as the most beautiful mosque in the country.
The open ablution area is reserved for male worshippers while female worshippers are housed inside the building.
The open ablution area is reserved for male worshippers while female worshippers are housed inside the building.
The entrance hall of the Sri Sendayan Mosque is often used for wedding ceremonies.
The entrance hall of the Sri Sendayan Mosque is often used for wedding ceremonies.
The interior is decorated with dozens of chandeliers resembling the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
The interior is decorated with dozens of chandeliers resembling the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
The decorative art of the Sri Sendayan Mosque combines elements from Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and China. Among the unique features are the wood carvings on the walls of the prayer hall, the gold plating, khat writing and the use of tile blocks near the pulpit, and the interior of the dome which is decorated with 24k gold paint.
The decorative art of the Sri Sendayan Mosque combines elements from Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and China. Among the unique features are the wood carvings on the walls of the prayer hall, the gold plating, khat writing and the use of tile blocks near the pulpit, and the interior of the dome which is decorated with 24k gold paint.