In the center of the Grand Prayer Hall is the Mihrab (Prayer Nitche) which shows the direction of the Qiblah (Ka’abah) and identifies the position where the Imam who leads prayer stands. The arch is 16m by 14m and is a symmetrical composition that has a beauty of its own.

The design is similar to the arches outside.

 

In the middle is the opening of the mihrab that has been shaped from the wall. The wall of this opening too is made of carved stones and marble panels that have been fastened in a geometric shape and supported by a frame that is 7m tall. A honeycomb vault is the result of the inspiration for this structure and has been built to match a six-tiered muqarnaz based on a classical Islamic design on the top-a structure that was shaped with the use of the latest computer technology. 

This honeycomb design was put together to balance the presence of the muqarnaz that was designed on the basis of a 7-point star pattern contained in a six rows and shaped from the internal cavity. The outer part of this arch has a thick rope design that symbolizes unity and the binding force of the mosque. It is a decree in Islam to hold fast to the rope of Allah so as not to go astray. In the last three decades, no mosque in the world has produced a mihrab that exudes the kind of beauty as that found in the Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan, and it can easily be counted among the most delicate handiwork ever produced anywhere.

*write-up extracted from Masjid Wilayah book.

~ Masjid Wilayah offers a mosque tour program which is free any day of the week between 10am till 6pm except for Eid ul Fitri and Eid ul Adha. For more information on tours, write to bob.borhanuddin@gmail.com or rose.ahmad23@gmail.com

timeline

The floral motif in the center of the Grand Prayer Hall is the Mihrab (Prayer Nitche) which shows the direction of the Qiblah (Ka’abah) and identifies the position where the Imam who leads prayer stands. The delicate design is spellbinding. The creation is the result of a combination of carved white marble that has been embedded with colorful stones in intricate designs.
The stones used include lapis lazuli, malachite, and golden onyx that reflect blue, green and yellow. This is combined with iridescent shells and mother-of-pearl that was obtained from the waters of Malaysia. The designs of this structure reflect the calligraphic art, geometric handiwork, and motif of the “Wandering Cloud” -- a recurring theme for the mosque. The “Wandering Cloud” motif that represents the “intertwined” arabesque symbolizes the nature of the Creator of the universe who has neither beginning nor end.

*write-up extracted from Masjid Wilayah book.

~ Masjid Wilayah offers a mosque tour program which is free any day of the week between 10am till 6pm except for Eid ul Fitri and Eid ul Adha. For more information on tours, write to bob.borhanuddin@gmail.com or rose.ahmad23@gmail.com

In Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan, the two 96m minarets (28 levels up) decorated with muqamaz are visible from a distance. Each minaret is divided into five segments or divisions that is reflective of Turkish architecture. At the bottom it has a four-sided design that serves as the foundation and at the top it has eight-sided figure. Each segment is decorated with muqamaz which plays the role of introducing the change in shape of the different segments so that they do not  appear sudden or incongruous or excessive. This shows the emphasis placed in Islam itself on the importance of subtlety which is reflected through  this art form. The changes made on the surface structure were done carefully and in a controlled fashion to accentuate its unique and attractive beauty.

In the construction of the minarets the “climbing formwork system” was used. This was not only a highly accurate means to construct the minarets, but also effective and fast.

*write-up extracted from Masjid Wilayah book.

~ Masjid Wilayah offers a mosque tour program which is free any day of the week between 10am till 6pm except for Eid ul Fitri and Eid ul Adha. For more information on tours, write to bob.borhanuddin@gmail.com or rose.ahmad23@gmail.com

MINARETS

Definition: A slim tower rising from a mosque, from which the adhan may be called. Early mosques did not have minarets; the adhan was simply called from any high point near the mosque. In modern times, microphones and speakers are often used to project the adhan, but minarets remain a common element in Islamic mosque architecture throughout the world.

Minarets are always attached to a mosque, and vary in height and style. Minarets may be square, round, or octagonal and are usually covered with a pointed roof. A mosque may have one or more minarets.


~ Masjid Wilayah offers a mosque tour program which is free any day of the week between 10am till 6pm except for Eid ul Fitri and Eid ul Adha. For more information on tours, write to bob.borhanuddin@gmail.com or rose.ahmad23@gmail.com

take a break - have a cuppa...

"It is He Who has made you successors, generation after generation, in the earth" (35:39) 

"And He made you generations coming after generations, succeeding each other in the earth" (6:165)

blooming in the garden

seasonal mandarin oranges