Masjid Negara A Symbol Of Malaysian Unity

By Ali Imran Mohd Noordin KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- For over half a century, Masjid Negara has stood as one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Buildings of grander architecture and size have emerged since but the mosque, completed in 1965, remains one of the most visited tourists sites in the country. Masjid Negara has always been more than a house of worship. It regularly avails its grounds for community enrichment activities, weary travelers and those seeking Islamic knowledge. In addition to that, its unique design is also unlike any other mosques around the world. Perhaps this is the reason why it receives some 240,000 visitors annually. In conjunction with Masjid Negara’s 50th anniversary, Bernama interviewed its architect Baharuddin Abu Kassim to find out the history behind the construction of one of Malaysia’s most treasured architectural heritage. A SYMBOL OF INDEPENDENCE Baharuddin had just started working with the Public Works Department when he was called up by the director-general to submit his idea for the architectural design of Masjid Negara. “It happened soon after Merdeka. Tunku (Abdul Rahman) wanted a mosque to be built to symbolise the gratitude we felt for being able to achieve independence through peaceful means,” he recounted. He was at the time in his early 30s, and had just completed his education in United Kingdom. The mosque was not originally called “Masjid Negara”, he said. Tunku Abdul Rahman had simply requested for a mosque to be built in central Kuala Lumpur, near the train station, for the benefit of travellers from afar. The project was one that Baharuddin had dreamed of since he was a child. He had always been intrigued with the architectural designs of mosques in the country. While studying in the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (a town in Malaysian state of Perak), he often took the time to study the architecture of the Ubudiah Mosque in Bukit Chandan. He also joined in the construction of a mosque in his school. In designing the what would soon be Masjid Negara, Baharuddin sought inspiration from the designs of mosques in India, Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. PARASOL-LIKE ROOFS One of things that really stands out about Masjid Negara is that its roof is not dome-shaped, as what is usually found in the designs of mosques around the world. Many today would not have guessed that the design was actually based on an opened parasol, symbolising the sovereignty of a country under the patronage of the Malaysian King. The “parasol” was built with diameter of 144 feet (43.9 metres) and supported by 16 reinforced concrete pillars. The structure remains one of the most unique mosque dome designs to date. The minaret’s cap, meanwhile, is adapted from the design of a folded parasol, which symbolises the strength and unity of the people. The 245-feet-high (74.7m) minaret is equipped with an elevator that would carry passengers to 140 feet (42.7m), where the platform for the call for prayer is located. CONSTRUCTION Baharuddin said the construction process of the US$2.39 million (RM10 million) structure was one that he would never forget. (US$1 = RM4.17) Although it was quite a sum back then, it was still a challenge to construct a monument of such stature within the available budget. Several modifications had to be made to reduce costs. Instead of using marble for flooring, they opted for terrazzo. Construction materials were of limited choices back then. "At the time, all that was available was concrete. That was all we had to work with. Forget aluminium or the steel structures that are available today. All of those had yet to exist back then," he said. Therefore, everything from the basic structure to the roof of the mosque was made of concrete. Pink tiles decorated the roof and the walls of the structure. It was only in 1987 that the roof of the mosque was change into the blue and green-hued glass tiles that everyone is familiar with today. "However, the quality of the concrete used then was exceptional. The mixture was perfect and until today, if renovations are to be done, the most difficult job would be tearing down the mosque's original concrete structure. “Lim Chong did such a fantastic job with the mixture of the concrete. His objective was to provide quality construction, as fast as possible," said Baharuddin of the contractor tasked with the construction of the mosque. For reasons unknown until today, Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysian first Prime Minister) requested a mausoleum comprising seven tombs to also be built within the grounds of Masjid Negara. It was called the "Makan Pahlawan" (Heroes' Mausoleum) and became the burial ground for Malaysia's statesmen. SYMBOL OF RACIAL UNITY Baharuddin describes the entire construction of Masjid Negara as a symbol of unity among the multiethnic societies of Malaysia. “We were still so young at the time, as a people, as a state. Having just achieved our independence, we did not have much funds at the time. Yet, we were able to complete the construction of the mosque,” he said. He said they were prudent in their spending of the available funds as it not only came from the government but the people as well. Of the RM10 million, RM3 million came from ordinary Malaysians of all creeds, religions and walks of life. Funds also came from Malaysian students studying overseas. "Imagine, people back then donating 5 sen, 10 sen and one ringgit. The largest donation at the time was just RM10. But it was a priceless gesture, nevertheless." -- BERNAMA