KUCHING: Reconstruction work on the Kuching City Mosque, better known as Masjid India, at Gambier Road here is progressing well.
President of Sarawak Islamic Council, Datu Misnu Taha, who visited the construction site recently, said Kuching City Mosque was Sarawak’s oldest mosque built in 1834.
When completed, it is capable of accommodating 1,600 people at any one time.
“In Sarawak soon, we will have a floating mosque, just like in Sabah and Terengganu.
“It will be a tourist attraction. The mosque has a unique design and a wonderful view of the river at the Kuching Waterfront, “ said Misnu.
“The mosque is not only a place for worship, but a place to develop religious knowledge through various activities throughout the year.
“Part of this mosque will be used as a Madrasah and the rest will be beautified to become a business centre.”
Misnu added that the mosque would be located partly on land and partly on the Sarawak River.
“It will look beautiful, “he explained.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Charitable Trust Board of the mosque, Abdul Wahab Daud, explained that so far, about RM14 million had been received from the rental of shops, Baitumal, state government and public donations for construction of the mosque.
“This spending does not include the cost of buying equipment such as carpets, Goods and Services Tax (GST), interior decoration, and engravings.
“We will need a few million ringgit more to cover the total cost of the project.
“The mosque is 32 percent completed and is expected to be ready by March 2018. It is designed by Plan Consultant SOM (Sim Odta Muhammad),” he said.
