Tourists barred from visiting City Mosque temporarily
KOTA KINABALU: Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (City Mosque) in Likas is now out of bounds to tourists.
The mosque’s management committee decided to impose the temporary ban on all tourists following the inappropriate act of two tourists caught on video which went viral on social media recently.
The 10-second video clip showed two women performing a synchronize dance while standing on top of the mosque’s fence.
Chairman of Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Haji Jamal Tun Haji Sakaran in a statement expressed disappointment at the action of some tourists visiting the mosque despite being told the do’s and don’ts when on the grounds.
“The mosque management also decided to also ban all express buses, Grab cars and taxis from entering the grounds and also from parking outside the mosque. Only taxis registered with the Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu are exempted from the ban,” he said.
More Rela personnel will be stationed outside the mosque to monitor the situation and to enforce the ban so that there will not be a repeat of such incident, he said.
Jamal disclosed that an average of 1,000 tourists visit the mosque daily and its management committee had implemented several measures to ensure that the visitors understand the beauty of Islam and the mosque.
“Among the initiatives included providing a tour guide as well as the appriopriate clothing such as jubah (robe), baju kurung, kopiah and tudung for those who do not meet the dress code.
“We also set up a Tourist Centre to disseminate information about the mosque and religious activities as well as to assist visitors to the mosque. But sadly, there are some tourists who still do unexpected things,” he lamented.
In order to protect the sanctity and image of Islam and the mosque, Jamal said that the management will be meeting with the tourism players to find a solution to the matter that will benefit all the stakeholders.
“We need ideas, suggestions and opinions of all stakeholders from time to time in order to enhance the Islamic teaching and the tourism sector,” he said and added that the mosque management conveys its gratitude to all those who have expressed their concern about the video and respects their comments as well as opinions.
Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu or the Blue Mosque is a popular stop for tourists visiting Sabah.
In June 2015, four tourists who posed naked on Mount Kinabalu were jailed and fined.
Briton Eleanor Hawkins, Canadians Lindsey and Danielle Peterson, and Dutchman Dylan Snel who admitted causing a public disturbance, were blamed for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake after stripping on the mountain, which is considered sacred.