Masjid Negara and surroundings

After the police museum and the planetarium, I'm back where I originally intended to start the post.

Being a Saturday, there were many tourists here.  

Although there is ample parking spaces in the vicinity, many still choose to park anywhere they want, what does it matter if it inconveniences others.

 

 

Some enterprising persons earn their livelihood here.

 

This new building has been completed, but I have no idea what it is.

 

The signage in Jawi script (Masjid Negara Malaysia) and English.

 

A view of the masjid.

   

Another view.

The Masjid Negara (National Mosque) is situated among 13 acres of beautiful gardens and has a capacity of 15,000 people. The original structure was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department - UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and Baharuddin Kassim. Originally built in 1965, it is a bold and modern approach in reinforced concrete, symbolic of the aspirations of a then newly-independent Malaysia.

Its key features are a 73-metre-high minaret and an 18-pointed star concrete main roof. The umbrella, synonymous with the tropics, is featured conspicuously - the main roof is reminiscent of an open umbrella, the minaret's cap a folded one. 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.

On 30 July 1957, in the meeting of the Federal Executive Council an idea to build a national mosque as a symbol of the country’s independence was mooted. In another meeting on 5 March 1958, Chief Ministers of the eleven states in the Federation of Malaya, a proposal was made to name the mosque Masjid Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, in recognition of Yang Teramat Mulia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj’s efforts in guiding the country to gaining independence. However, Tunku refused this honour; on the contrary he named it Masjid Negara in thanksgiving for the country’s peaceful independence without bloodshed .

The mosque underwent major renovations in 1987, and the once-pink concrete roof is now clad in green and blue tiles. Today, Masjid Negara continues to stand sleek and stylish against the Kuala Lumpur skyline. An underground passage leads to the National Mosque located near the railway station, along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Its unique modern design embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic art calligraphy and ornamentation. Near the mosque is the Makam Pahlawan (Heroes' Mausoleum), a burial ground of several Malaysian politicians. Makam Pahlawan is a 7-pointed star concrete roofed structure.

 Source: Wikipedia.

One of the gates leading to the masjid.

 

I saw this building across the road from the masjid.

This was the only signage.

 

 The front of the building.

A closer view.  I checked with the guard who was there and was informed that this was the Syed Bukhary building.  "Only offices inside."

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor AlBukhary is reportedly the richest Bumiputra corporate figure and the 7th richest man in Malaysia.  He is also known for his philanthropy and the establishment of the Syed Bukhary Foundation.

View of KL from the Syed Bukhary building.  Rising above the foliage - Dayabumi, KL Tower, Petronas Twin Towers, Menara Maybank and the Masjid Negara minaret.

 

The Islamic Arts Museum is next.

 

 

 

An exhibition is ongoing.

 

The Rehal Terrace.  Rehal is the wooden table (center sculpture) on which we rest the Quran when reading it.

 

The Makam Pahlawan is on the grounds of the masjid.

   

 

Some of our leaders are buried here.

 

The Islamic Religious Department is here.  The dome in the background is the KTM (Malayan Railways) office building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the other side of the masjid is this girl's school.

 

For a history of the school please visit : http://www.mgskl.edu.my/Home/history-of-mgskl

Further up along the road (Jalan Tangling, now known as Jalan Cenderasari) is the Tangling Hospital (now a polyclinic).

 

I remember reading that this was KL's first government hospital, before the one at Jalan Pahang was built.  However, I could not access my source when I wrote this, so I have to leave it as is.

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