- Address: Jalan Kampung Perak, Bandar Alor Setar, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 4-733 3288
- Website: masjid.islam.gov.my
- Opening: 1912
- Architectural style: Islamic architecture, Indo-Saracen style
- Total area: 11 558 square meters. m
- Condition: current
In the Malaysian city of Alor Setar , which is the capital of Kedah state, the Zahir Mosque is located. It was built over a hundred years ago and is one of the most revered mosques in the country .
History of the Zahir Mosque
Originally on the site of this facility was located the cemetery of the soldiers of Kedah State, who died in the war with the Siamese in 1821. When it was erected, the creators were inspired by the architecture of the Aziza mosque, located in the north of the island of Sumatra in the city of Langkat. The Zahir mosque differs from it in large dimensions, which were achieved thanks to the erection of five huge domes. They symbolize the five pillars of Islam.
The official opening ceremony took place on October 15, 1915. It was conducted by Sultan Abdul-Hamid Halim Shah. Due to the fact that the event was held on Friday, the first Friday preaching in the Zahir mosque was read by Tunku Mahmud.
Architectural style of the Zahir mosque
For the construction of this religious structure was allocated a plot of 11 558 square meters. The territory of the Zahir mosque includes the following objects:
- five minarets of black color, one of which is located in the north-eastern part of the structure, and the remaining four - in its corners;
- a wide prayer hall with an area of 350 square meters. m;
- verandas 2.4 m wide with mezzanines;
- The four mezzanine areas under the roofing of each dome.
When designing this monumental building, architects used the styles of Islamic architecture and Indo-Saracenic. During religious holidays and Friday sermons in the mosque of Zahir is located up to 5000 people. This, as well as architectural splendor, allows to include it in the number of the most remarkable architectural sights of Malaysia and the most beautiful mosques in the world.
The Zahir Mosque is a state mosque and serves as the main mosque of the local Muslim community.
Interesting facts about the Zahir mosque
Every year this object becomes the venue for the state contest of Quran reciters, which attracts the attention of a huge number of tourists. Behind the building of the Zahir mosque there is a children's pre-school establishment, as well as the building of the Shariah court.
The image of this Malaysian mosque can be seen on the silver coins of Kazakhstan, issued on March 28, 2008. In the production of coins with the face value of 100 Kazakhstani tenge, pure 925 silver was used. They entered a series called "Famous mosques of the world".
Four years later in 2012, the same series was updated with gold coins depicting the Zahir mosque. This time their denomination was 500 Kazakhstani tenge, and during the production gold of 999th test was used. The design of coins was developed by the artists Akhverdyan A. and Lutin V.
How to get to the Zahir mosque?
In order to see this architectural and religious monument, one must go to the southwest of Alor Setar . The Zahir mosque is located 500 m from the city center and 100 m from the coast of the Kedakh river. You can get there by foot or by taxi. If you walk from the city center to the south-west along Lebuhraya Darul Aman (road number 1), you can be at her building in 11 minutes.
The fastest way to get into the mosque Zahir is a car or taxi. Moving from the center of Alor Setar along the street Jalan Istana Kuning or Lebuhraya Darul Aman, you can be at her door in 5 minutes.