JB Escape: Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Johor Bahru

Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque is Johor State mosque and located in Johor Bahru. This mosque was officially open by Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Abu Bakar on Friday 1 Syawal 1317 Hijrah or 2nd february 1900 for Friday prayer. This mosque get the name Abu Bakar Mosque as a tribute to late Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Daeng Ibrahim who ordered to build this mosque on 1892 with cost around USD400,000.

This mosque was built on top of small hill nearby Tebrau Straits and facing to Singapore with 4 towers with some similarities with mosque in middle eastern countries, especially Egypt. The tower is in round shape with 2 tiers and square at bottom part with a dome. This mosque can cater for 3000 people at one time for praying.

The building was designed by Tuan Haji Mohamed Arif bin Punak under observation, YB Dato' Yahya bin Awalluddin. This mosque also a sign to proof that Malay architects have the capabilities to build massive building as beautiful as in Europe and Middle East during late 19th centuries.

This 4 square building have a lot of Islamic features with some Malay traditional touch especially at the window. Besides, the mosque also in its oblong cage shape with 4 veranda with towers and dome. The 4 towers was decorated with lighting which imported from Turki. In the meantime, the marble was imported from Italy and some other items was imported from China. The curve in the mosque been said have a similarities with the curve at some Sultan Hassan Mosque, Egypt and Imam Shafie Mosque.

Besides, the veranda area was built for the visitors to walk around and also as a resting place. One of the unique factor of this mosque is the location which is on top of hill which make the environment cool and breezy especially during hot day.

Now, this mosque is already over 100 years and 5 times a day, people can listen to "Azan", praying calling from top of the hill. 

Information Sources:

Arkib Negara Malaysia http://www.arkib.gov.my

Islam Grid http://www.islamgrid.gov.my