1. The History

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque is a royal mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque is classified as one of the most magnificent mosques in the Asia Pacific and a major tourist destinations. Many foreign tourists have ever come to this place. The mosque accommodates approximately 3000 people. It is considered amongst the people of Brunei as the country‘s major landmark. The shine of the mosque dominates the skyline in the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. It is one of the main sights in the capital and the country in general.

The mosque was established in 1958. For Brunei people, it is accounted as a symbol of the Islamic faith and the modernization. The name of the mosque is derived from the name of the third Omar Ali Saifuddin, the 28^th Sultan of Brunei. He is well-known as the founding father of the Brunei modernization. He is also the founder of this mosque. He was appointed as sultan in 1950. He was well-educated sultan who obtains religious education from his father. One of his contributions was to move the capital city of Brunei from Kampong Ayer to Bandar Seri Begawan. In 1955, he determined five year development programs of the Brunei Darussalam Sultanate. By 1967, he resigned from the Sultanate authority. He was acknowledged as Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa‘adul Khairi Waddien. Although he was retired from the sultanate position, he had ever been appointed as Defense Minister in 1984. He passed away in 1986.

The mosque is not only purposed for official sultanate ceremonies, but also functioned as one of the interesting tourism places in Brunei. According to the written records, there are two mosques that have ever been visited by many tourists; Omar Ali Saifuddin and Al-Asr mosques. Here, Al-Asr is also well-known as Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah mosque. Even though the mosque has been frequently visited by domestic and foreign tourists, but its sacred and purity are still preserved. It is common appearance when the mosque is crowded by the people who performs praying while the tourists visit this mosque. For non-Muslim and women (Muslim or non-Muslim) dressing bikini who intend to enter the mosque, they have to wear black surplice.   

2. The Location

The mosque is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei Darussalam. It sits on an artificial lagoon near the Brunei River in Kampong Ayer, which is well-known as a "water village”.  A structure in the water that resembles a ship is at one time used for official state ceremonies.

3. The Width

The mosque is established on the land with 5 hectares. To arrive at the mosque, two long spiral bridges lay on the artificial lagoon, striving to Kampong Ayer. In this mosque, there is a bridge accessible for the visitors who come from Bandar Seri Begawan‘s direction, and will be ended by small pier. But, the bridge is only opened for the official state ceremonies. It reaches a height of 52 meters and is topped with a gold dome supported by walls of Italian marble, which also forms the mosque‘s columns, arches, and towers. By its height, someone who stays in Bandar Seri Begawan will see the mosque‘s tower. The visitors who want to reach the peak of the mosque (tower) are able to use the elevator, so that we can see whole angles of Bandar Seri Begawan from its tower.

4. The Architecture 

Amazing in appearance, but too beautiful to be true, the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is Brunei‘s proudest architectural achievement. The architect of this mosque is an illustration of the attractive Islamic architecture. Its architect is not only determined by Islamic architecture, but influenced also by Italian architect. Even though the mosaic structure describes the Islamic medieval mosque, but some building blocks of the mosque‘s structure are made from high quality Italian ceramics.    

Every walls are assembled by Italian marble. The marble design covers walls, floors, and towers. The special and the highest tower is accounted as main tower, besides other ten towers. There is an elevator on the main tower. The mosque is topped by a gold dome. The dome‘s structure seems like other domes with oval shape. The structure of the roof is superficial shape such as the mosques in Arabian countries. In front of the mosque, there are waterfall, trees, and plants.

The exterior of the mosque has unique structure, for instance, there are arc bridge on the entering road, small domes beside the main dome, and pillars made of the marble. Most of the materials are imported from foreign countries such as the marbles from Italy, the granite stones from China, the stained glass is hand made of England, and the carpets are imported from Saudi Arabian. In general, the total cost of the mosque is USD $5,000,000.00.

5. The Draftsman

The draftsman of the mosque was the third Omar Ali Saifuddin, the 28^th Sultan of  Brunei Darussalam Sultanate, and the designer was an Italian architect.

6. The Renovation

(In the process of data collecting).

(TN/trj/33/11-07)

References:

• Banjarmasin Post, 20 Agustus 2007.
• Republika, 2 Februari 2007.
• www.encarta.msn.com.
• www.glasssteelandstone.com.
• www.religious-affairs.gov.bn.
• www.en.wikipedia.org.

Credit photo : www.encarta.msn.com

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Comment of "sultan omar ali saifuddin mosque"

16 Jul 2011. syamsir ali bagus

16 Jul 2011. syamsir ali lima

16 Jul 2011. syamsir ali lima

16 Jul 2011. syamsir ali lima

16 Jul 2011. syamsir ali lima

26 Aug 2014. m.rudiamrillah pemula

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