Tuesday March 1, 2011

Mosque for Chinese Muslims nears reality

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Muslims in the city are one step closer to having a mosque they can call their own.

The mosque, which will be run by the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (Macma), will feature Chinese architecture but would be open to everyone, demonstrating the universality of Islam.

The mosque complex, which also includes an Islamic cultural centre, will be built on a 1.8ha plot in Jalan Davis here.

Best designs: Rosmah looking at entries from architects for the Macma Mosque architecture competition. With her are Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Boon Che Wee (left) and Dr Mustapha Ma (right).

“The mosque will promote a better understanding of Islam, especially among the Chinese community,” said Macma president Datuk Dr Mustapha Ma at a presentation ceremony for the Macma Mosque architecture competition.

Dr Mustapha said the mosque’s construction would begin once Macma had decided on a final design from the competition’s 58 entries.

He said Macma would raise its own funds but hoped the Government would honour its RM1mil pledge made in 2009 by then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Some non-Muslim friends like the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zhong) have also pledged their assistance,” Dr Mustapha added.

The competition’s five-member jury awarded honourable mention prizes to entries from two architecture firms.

The Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor presented two cheques worth RM30,000 to the firms at a ceremony yesterday.

In her speech, Rosmah said the mosque was strategically located and would be a major tourist attraction.

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