Premier Abang Johari launches tower model for Masjid Jamek, construction to start Q3 2025

Abang Johari (sixth left) and other guests photographed during the launching of Masjid Jamek Sarawak's tower model in Kuching on July 26, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 26: Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, today inaugurated the new tower model for the Sarawak State Mosque, also known as Masjid Jamek Sarawak.

The launch took place at the Mosque Welfare Trust Board’s (LAKMNS) ‘Majlis Menelusuri Kegemilangan’ (Pursuit of Glory Ceremony), held at the mosque and broadcast live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) on YouTube.

The tower model for Masjid Jamek Sarawak. Photo credit: Ukas

During the event, it was revealed that the mosque’s tower model is inspired by the architectural features of the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

The project is expected to start in the third quarter of next year and will take about 24 months to complete.

It will involve four main towers with a height of 75 meters and two smaller towers with a height of 65 meters.

The towers will incorporate a green energy concept, being equipped with solar panels and low-energy lights.

During the event, Abang Johari who is LAKMNS chairman, also launched a book published by LAKMNS titled ‘Menelusuri Kegemilangan’ which contains the history of the establishment and development of mosques, namely the Kuching City Mosque and Masjid Jamek Sarawak, as well as the development of LAKMNS.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Malaysia, Emir Salim Yüksel expressed his excitement to see the resemblance between Sarawak’s Masjid Jamek and Turkey’s Hagia Sophia.

“For Hagia Sophia, it is very interesting that every tower is a bit different from one another – one of them is very classical while two other towers are a bit modern because those towers were built in different times – not all at once.

“Thus, some of the towers (of Hagia Sophia) are similar to these towers (of Masjid Jamek’s) and it is very interesting to see this style, where Masjid Jamek will have four main towers around the building alongside two more smaller towers, which is similar to Hagia Sophia which has four main towers around the main structure,” he stated in an audio recording made available to the press.

Among those present were Sarawak Deputy Premier of Sarawak-cum-LAKMNS deputy chairman Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Sarawak Secretary-cum-LAKMNS board member Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who is also in charge of Islamic affairs; Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol; LAKMNS chief executive officer Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai; LAKMNS honorary secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain and Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) Datuk Misnu Taha. — DayakDaily