Kota Kinabalu Floating Mosque — Attraction in Borneo

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu)

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Malay: Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu) is the second main mosque in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, after State Mosque in Sembulan.

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu) is not only the largest mosque in the city, but also the most visually striking. Surrounded by a lagoon, the building appears to float when viewed from a distance, and casts a picturesque reflection into the water below.

Description;

The picturesque view of this mosque makes it one of the main attractions in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah. Situated on the eastern site overlooking Likas Bay, the City Mosque is a piece of a modern Islamic architectural edifice to mark Kota Kinabalu’s elevation to city status, as accorded by the Federal Government. Styled after the postmodernism design of the Arabian or Middle-Eastern typology, the mosque is the second most important mosque after the State Mosque. It serves the students and resident worshippers from Likas and the northern districts of Kota Kinabalu.

Inspired by the architecture of Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, the mosque is noted for its sturdy structure with a high pointed dome and four identical slender minarets. Its impressive beauty is often captured in reflections on the surface of the man-made lagoon, particularly during dawn or dusk, thus earning the name of ‘the floating mosque’ amongst the locals. It also depicts the neighbouring Kampung Air enclave of Likas Bay. The construction began in 1983, when it was first coined by the then Chief Minister of Sabah. It was only completed in 2000, following many obstacles and issues faced during the construction period, which lasted some 17 years. The mosque now houses the main prayer hall, female prayer gallery, inner courtyard, library, three madrasas. An ancillary block for staff quarters and a few amenity rooms, including a preventive care clinic and ATM machines. Arranged in a linear layout, the main prayer hall is identified with the main dome that sits on modified squinches.

A series of high clerestory windows and side-tucked windows give the additional appearance of the blue-checkered dome with geometrical patterns. The dome is proportionately flanked by four round minarets of the square base with three tiers vaulted balconies and surmounted with...

This Floating Mosque is a stunning piece of architecture built on the water, often regarded as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Its design features a blend of modern Islamic architecture, complemented by intricate decorative calligraphy of Quranic verses.

Visitors are required to pay an entry fee of RM 10 (approximately USD 2.25 at the time of this visit). Female visitors, including those already wearing modest clothing, are required to wear long robes and headscarves provided by the mosque, so there is no need to worry about dressing modestly beforehand. These garments must be worn regardless of personal attire.

Shoes are not allowed inside the mosque, but a designated area is provided for tourists to store their footwear. Be sure to use the storage room rather than leaving your shoes on the stairs to avoid any inconvenience.

The mosque itself is relatively small and features separate prayer halls for men and women. While the interiors are modest, the mosque’s beauty is best appreciated from the outside, especially with its serene reflection on the surrounding waters, making it a popular spot for...

This Mosque opened in 2000 in conjunction with Kota Kinabalu being declared a city. Officially it is referred to as the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. Inspired by Medina's Nabawi Mosque, the Mosque stands with 4 minarets on what used to be a lagoon in Kampung Likas. Today it can accommodate up to 12,000 congregants making it the biggest mosque in Kota Kinabalu. Only Al-Kauthar Mosque Tawau could host a larger congregants at 17,000. Non Muslim visitors are welcome but they have to pay fees for entry and modest overalls to enter the mosque proper. The Mosque authorities has taken measures including corded rope barrier at roadside leading to the Mosque's entrance to stop parking at the roadside and to discourage photographs of the Mosque even on the outside of the compound. Undoubtedly this will encourage more visitors to allocate more time to tour the...