Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq Mosque

Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq Mosque (MSABA) is a prominent mosque in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

History

In 1976, the people of Bangsar began to request for a mosque. It was approved by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council on 25 November, 1977. A meeting was held by local representatives with YB Datuk Othman Abdullah on 27 Nov. 1977.

It received RM700,000 as donations collected from the public. The government took over the project and placed it under the 3rd Malaysian 5 Year Plan. Planning for the construction of the mosque began in 1979 and completed on March 1982.

The site was officially handed over to the contractor 18 July 1980. The direction of the qiblat was consented by The Mufti of the Federal Territories, S.S. Datuk Sheikh Abdul Mohsein bin Haji Salleh on 24 August 1980. Ground leveling works had started on September 1980.

The official opening ceremony was officiated by SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Sultan Ahmad Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar.

The mosque was handed over officially to the government on 29 March 1982. Its official opening ceremony was officiated by SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Sultan Ahmad Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar on 15 July 1982.

Architecture and features

It originally caters up to 3,500 people, but after expansion work done in 2009-2010, it can cater 500 more people.

The architecture is of traditional Malay mosque architecture with a minaret (43.3 m.), arches, dome (16.6 m. wide and 24 m. from the floor), and motifs, but modern in form. It has an open concept, where air flow is allowed into the mosque as the door are made from hard wood. Islamic patterned holes are carved in between the motifs.

Its architectural designs are used in the construction for the Maldives National Mosque, as well as other prominent mosques in Kuala Lumpur such as Masjid Saidina Omar al-Khattab and Masjid Saidina Uthman ibn Affan.

Levels

The building has three levels:

Ground floor

• Class rooms for religious classes
• Office space and library
• Multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 200 people
• Canteen
• Place for ablution and toilets

First floor

• Main praying hall for daily use by up to 1,000 people. Full capacity: 4,000 people.

Second floor

• Additional praying hall for Fridays and special occasions
• Left wing: school block comprising class rooms and school office

In the compound, there is a book shop and canteen for the public as well as for school students.

Awards

The mosque had received several awards for serving as the 'temporary' National Mosque of Malaysia during renovation works done to the National Mosque.

Contact

MSABA can be reached at Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, Jalan Ara, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Tel. No. 0603-22833707, Fax No. 060-2282 1222. Alternatively at www.masjidbangsar.blogspot.com. Unfortunately, at the moment it is only written in Bahasa Malaysia only.

External links

• http://www.masjidbangsar.blogspot.com/ (in Malay)