The Floating Mosque

"A state where religion is held close to it's people's hearts, the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque, or also referred to as the Floating Mosque, is one of the icons of Islam in the state. Built from an idea birthed by the late Sultan of Terengganu, Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah ibni al-Marhum Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, this mosque was named after his mother, Tuanku Intan Zaharah binti Almarhum Tengku Seri Setia Raja.

The mosque is located in Teluk Ibai, just over 4km away from Kuala Terengganu town centre, quite close to the beautiful beach of Terengganu's coast. The white structure of the mosque gorunds covers and area of roughly 5 acres and serves a number of villages nearby. Construction of the mosque began in 1991, designed by celebrated architect, Raja Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad.

The beauty of its architecture and serenity of its surrounding landscape, also draws a great number of visitors to Terengganu who take the opportunity to perform their prayers and take a breather from their journey at this mosque. The design of the mosque reflects a subtle Islamic influence combined with local features, incorporating the use of marble, ceramics, mosaic works and bomanite paving. . The entire mosque covers 25,282 square feet - large enough to accommodate between 800 to 1,000 people at once - and the minaret stands 125 feet tall. Constructed with a lake surrounding it, much like a moat, the mosque is popularly referred to as the Floating Mosque. With the backdrop of the open SoutH China Sea, this mosque is an irresistable attraction to visitors in Terengganu".
(Courtesy virtualmalaysia.com)