ID :
15988
Fri, 08/15/2008 - 14:35
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/15988
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BEACHFRONT MOSQUE SET TO BE TOURIST DRAW
residents here, know that Tawau's Al-Kauthar Mosque is the largest in east coastSabah-state and may rank as among the biggest in the country.
What ever it is, the mosque in its own right is rather unique due to itsvicinity to commercial centres and a public transport terminal.
Among the buildings in the mosque's locality are the district's public library and the Federal House that has the offices of various governmentagencies.
The mosque sits along the beachfront that has a popular recreationalstretch known as the Traulsen Drive.
The sight from within the mosque itself is something to behold, as one is able to witness the merchant ships and fishing boats that sail in the CowieStraits.
From the mosque, one has a clear sight of Pulau Sebatik, an island'divided' between Malaysia and Indonesia.
YANG DI PERTUAN AGONG (KING) Construction of the RM31.5 million (US$1=RM3.34) Al-Kauthar Mosque began onJune 19, 1997.
The mosque was fully completed in October 2002 and the structure was officially opened by the then King, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed PutraJamalullail on Aug 13, 2004.
The mosque has a dome that measures 20 metres in circumference as well as aminaret that stands 58 metres metres high.
It is able to accommodate a congregation of up to 17,000 people at any particular time. The mosque is surrounded by lush greenery as well as floweringplants, giving it a touch of radiance.
In the evenings, several eagles can be seen circling high above the mosquebefore making their descent onto the mosque's dome.
The raptors appear to be involved in a 'dogfight' trying to get a grip onthe dome's crescent and star-shaped structures.
SEMINAR FACILITIES The Al-Kauthar Mosque also boasts of having facilities for the holding of seminars apart from being equipped with an administration office, library andoutlet for the sale of the paraphernalia need to perform the prayers.
The mosque's strategic location provides a short and easy route for Muslims from nearby business complexes and offices as well as those on leisure visits tothe beach to reach it to perform their religious obligations.
TOURISM ASSET? Looking at the building's standing as the largest mosque in Sabah and among the biggest in Malaysia, Al-Kauthar Mosque has the potential of being turnedinto a tourist draw for the district.
What is needed to make this a reality is a concerted effort by the state government and religious authorities as well as the mosque's management andtravel agents to promote Al-Kauthar Mosque as a tourist draw.
The State Legislative Assembly Representative for Tanjung Batu, Hamisah Samad, said the mosque is suitable to be developed into a touristattraction for Tawau.
Tawau is located at the south-east coast of Sabah, and is the administrative center of Tawau Division and the third largest townof Sabah.
"As a resident of Tawau, I welcome any move to turn Al-Kauthar Mosque into one of Tawau's tourism products", Hamisah told Bernama hererecently.
She said for this to materialise, several aspects like the mosque'ssurrounding landscape should be improved for the sake of the visiting tourists.
Tawau is the gateway for air travelers to the tourism haven of Semporna,located some 30 km away.
What ever it is, the mosque in its own right is rather unique due to itsvicinity to commercial centres and a public transport terminal.
Among the buildings in the mosque's locality are the district's public library and the Federal House that has the offices of various governmentagencies.
The mosque sits along the beachfront that has a popular recreationalstretch known as the Traulsen Drive.
The sight from within the mosque itself is something to behold, as one is able to witness the merchant ships and fishing boats that sail in the CowieStraits.
From the mosque, one has a clear sight of Pulau Sebatik, an island'divided' between Malaysia and Indonesia.
YANG DI PERTUAN AGONG (KING) Construction of the RM31.5 million (US$1=RM3.34) Al-Kauthar Mosque began onJune 19, 1997.
The mosque was fully completed in October 2002 and the structure was officially opened by the then King, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed PutraJamalullail on Aug 13, 2004.
The mosque has a dome that measures 20 metres in circumference as well as aminaret that stands 58 metres metres high.
It is able to accommodate a congregation of up to 17,000 people at any particular time. The mosque is surrounded by lush greenery as well as floweringplants, giving it a touch of radiance.
In the evenings, several eagles can be seen circling high above the mosquebefore making their descent onto the mosque's dome.
The raptors appear to be involved in a 'dogfight' trying to get a grip onthe dome's crescent and star-shaped structures.
SEMINAR FACILITIES The Al-Kauthar Mosque also boasts of having facilities for the holding of seminars apart from being equipped with an administration office, library andoutlet for the sale of the paraphernalia need to perform the prayers.
The mosque's strategic location provides a short and easy route for Muslims from nearby business complexes and offices as well as those on leisure visits tothe beach to reach it to perform their religious obligations.
TOURISM ASSET? Looking at the building's standing as the largest mosque in Sabah and among the biggest in Malaysia, Al-Kauthar Mosque has the potential of being turnedinto a tourist draw for the district.
What is needed to make this a reality is a concerted effort by the state government and religious authorities as well as the mosque's management andtravel agents to promote Al-Kauthar Mosque as a tourist draw.
The State Legislative Assembly Representative for Tanjung Batu, Hamisah Samad, said the mosque is suitable to be developed into a touristattraction for Tawau.
Tawau is located at the south-east coast of Sabah, and is the administrative center of Tawau Division and the third largest townof Sabah.
"As a resident of Tawau, I welcome any move to turn Al-Kauthar Mosque into one of Tawau's tourism products", Hamisah told Bernama hererecently.
She said for this to materialise, several aspects like the mosque'ssurrounding landscape should be improved for the sake of the visiting tourists.
Tawau is the gateway for air travelers to the tourism haven of Semporna,located some 30 km away.
