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NATIONAL WILL FOR 5,000
ΤΗ THE task set three architects of Malaya's Public Works Depart- ment, Mr. H.I. Ashley. Inche Hisham Albakri and Inche Baharuddin bin Abu Kasim was: "Design Malaya's national mosque a structure which will be to the glory of Islam, our official religion, and of our country."
That was early last year. Today, the designs for the Masjid Negara cstimated to cost M$5 million and stand on a commanding 12-acre site off Victory Avenue in Kuala Lumpur are completed and have been ap- proved by the National Mosque Committee.
Pending the completion of detail plans, tenders will soon be going out for the construction of the building, described by one of the three archi- tects. Inche Hisham Albakri, as: "Contemporary in design but con- taining Malayan characteristics and having the feeling and atmosphere of a mosque."
There were many problems in- volved in planning the mosque. The site is on low land in a deep valley flanked on one side by the gigantic structure of the Railway Administra- tion building and on the other by the Methodist Girls' School, which is situated on a higher level.
To make the mosque dominant the ground on the site has been filled
so that the building will stand some 30 feet above the level of Victory Avenue.
The building had also to be oriented to face Mecca which is due West.
To fill the demand for a mosque which will accommodate 2,000 peo- ple and yet be capable of taking in an extra 3,000, the architects design- ed a building with an unusual 16 pointed star-shaped dome 180 feet in diameter as the main feature under which 2,000 people can be accommodated. and ambulatories around this to make it possible to take in another 3,000 people.
Externally the dome will be gold mosaic finished and will resemble a fluted star from the air. Internally it is supported by 16 concrete columns.
Approach to the mosque will be possible from all sides, up marbled stairs with shoe-racks provided (some recessed under the treads of stairs) for 5,000 pairs of shoes.
Access to the mosque from Victory Avenue will be through a garden, across a bridge over an ornamental pool which leads up a staircase to a courtyard roofed by 48 concrete parasols and then to the mosque proper which will be entirely carpet- ed. (150 feet square)
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER - VOLUME 16, NUMBER 1
On the same level are the ambula- tories roofed by small domes around the mosque proper.
Under the parasol covered court- yard are the ablution chambers men and
and women having separate chambers and taps will be used instead of the traditional pools for ablutions. There will also be baths, rest rooms and toilets here.
Accommodation for men in the mosque is on the ground floor and a gallery running in a three-quarter circle 15 feet above will be able to accommodate about 800 women. The gallery will be walled by grilles of Islamic pattern through which the women can not be seen from the mosque floor. Radio and television facilities will be provided on the gallery level.
The mosque's mihrab (place where the Imam leads the prayers) is in marble with Kufic (Arabic) writing of passages from the Koran as de- corative motifs. On one side of it is the mimbar (pulpit). Near the mosque proper are a royal robing chamber, offices, air-conditioned library and stores.
On one side of the mosque is an ornamental pool from one end of which will soar a 230 feet high minaret in concrete with a grille of
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