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                                                            Visitors Guide to Kuala Lumpur

National Mosque / Masjid Negara - Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur
Destinations and Sights - Lake Gardens Area

The National Mosque being the principal house of worship for the inhabitants of Kuala Lumpur, features are a 73-metre-high minaret and an 18-pointed star concrete main roof. It is a bold and modern approach in reinforced concrete, symbolic of the aspirations of a then newly-independent Malaysia.

Situated among 12 hectares of beautiful gardens, its location was chosen by the country first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj; as he want it to be easily accessible by those people from outstation who come to the city by train. (It is common for Muslims travellers to drop by at the nearest mosque to cleanse up and perform their prayers before continuing their journey. If it is late in the evening, mosque is also often use a place for them to stay over).


This umbrella design gives the mosque a unique contrast to other onion shape domes and minaret in the buildings within its vicinity. Based upon the Grand Mosque in Mecca it has with 48 small domes and a grand prayer hall that is topped by the main dome with folded-plate roof in the shape of "semi-opened umbrella" with 18 pleats radiating from the centre, which symbolises the 5 pillars of Islam and the 13 states of Malaysia. The folded plates of the concrete main roof is a creative solution to achieving the larger spans required in the main gathering hall. Reflecting pools and fountains spread throughout the compound. Its minaret is in the shape of "closed umbrella" stands at 72 metres from the ground.

Completed in 1965 at a cost of RM10million, and situated among five acres (13 hectares) of beautiful gardens, the building consist of a prayer hall, multi purpose hall, the warrior mausoleum, a library, offices, open courtyard and the minaret. The upper deck houses the main prayer hall and a reflecting pool.


The Grand Hall which easily accommodates up to 8000 people, is surrounded by deep verandas which are screened off by white grilles of traditional Islamic designs. The floor of the Grand Hall is carpeted and the remaining area is finished in terrazzo.



The Dewan (multi purpose hall,) is located on the South side of the mosque and serves as an all-purpose hall with a seating capacity for 500 persons. The mausoleum, situated at the rear of the mosque, stands in a circular reflecting pool and is connected to the main building by a covered foot-bridge. It is circular in shape and is covered by a pleated shell concrete dome similar in shape to that of the Grand Hall but with only seven folds, one of which covers a reserve for the national hero’s tomb.

The National Mosque courtyard is partly covered by 48 independent concrete parasols to provide shade from the sun and shelter from the heavy and regular tropical rain. There is a fountain for ablution located on the floor beneath.


NOTE
The National Mosque is located just across the street from the old KL Railway Station.
Visitors are required to remove their shoes.
Proper dress code is imposed here special robes are provided if you are not appropriately attired.
Open to tourist from 9:00am -12:30p / 2:00pm - 3:30pm and 5:00pm - 6:30pm.


Best way to Visit - Take a City Tour

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