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GUA Musang's iconic mosque will be ready by year end.
IF Terengganu’s drawbridge has become the state’s key attraction, Kelantan will, by the end of the year, have its very own iconic structure, which is a mosque designed after Masjidil Haram in Mecca, minus the Kaabah.
Located in Bandar Lama here, the mosque, costing about RM28 million and called Masjid Razaleigh, is 70 per cent complete.
Its development committee chairman, Abdul Aziz Yusoff, said the mosque, which began construction in 2016, was undergoing its finishing touches and when completed, could accommodate at least 3,000 people.
“The idea was conceptualised by Gua Musang member of parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who wanted it to be designed like Masjidil Haram.
“The project is funded by the federal government for the people of Gua Musang.
“The 70,000-sq-ft mosque uses only local materials.
“Generally, some of the structures mirror Masjidil Haram, especially the towers, domes and the King Abdul Aziz prayer courtyard, which is the main praying area.”
However, Aziz said some of the designs were similar to the mosque, which is Islam’s holiest site, before it was renovated in 2006.
“Likewise, the design of Masjid Razaleigh will have rooms for seminars along the replicated Safa and Marwah corridors.
“We want to provide convenience for people to boost their understanding of Islam.”
Other facilities include computer rooms, library, toilets, parking areas, halls and a room for the imam.
Aziz said local contractors were involved in the structural design, interior and exterior designs.
“The mosaic tiles are of high quality and their unique patterns are rarely seen in other mosques.”
He said nine towers, each 30m high, stood majestically around the mosque, similar to the ones at Masjidil Haram.
He said those who entered the mosque would get the same feeling of entering Masjidil Haram, but instead of performing prayers in front of the Kaabah, the congregation would face the kiblat
(the direction for Muslims to pray) from the open courtyard.
“We will build a small structure like the Kaabah as a symbol.”
He added that it would be used by those who planned to practise haj rituals.
Kelantan Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maik) deputy president Dr Nik Mohd Azlan Abd Hadi said the council approved the construction of the mosque three years ago.
“Apart from daily prayers, the mosque will also be used for Friday prayers,” he said recently.
Residents described the mosque as a landmark capable of attracting visitors and, in turn, boosting the district’s economy.
Sundry shop owner Masamah Ibrahim, 50, said the mosque had become a hot topic and had recently gone viral.
“It is a replica of Masjidil Haram. It is a beautiful mosque. It will attract many visitors here,” said the mother of four from Ciku 3.
Another residents, Noratirah Abdullah, 23, said visitors, especially tourists, would have another attractive destination in Kelantan.
“The tourism industry will benefit from the new mosque.”