Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq Mosque

Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq Mosque is a prominent mosque in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

{Planning for the constructon began in 1979 and completed 1982. The official opening ceremony was officiated by SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Sultan Ahmad Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar. The mosque has an open concept, where air flow is allowed into the mosque as the door are made from hard wood and have Islamic patterned holes in between the motifs. It can cater up to 3,500 people initially, but after expansion work done in 2009-2010, it can cater another 500 congregations. The mosque, known as MSABA (its abbreviation) had received several awards in it bags, had once served as the 'temporary' National Mosque of Malaysia during renovation works done to the actual National Mosque and its architectural designs are used in the construction the Maldives National Mosque, as well as other prominent mosques in Kuala Lumpur such as Masjid Saidina Omar al-Khattab and Masjid Saidina Uthman ibn Affan.

Chronicles on the construction of the Mosque

1 People of Bangsar began to voice the need of setting up a mosque 1976

2 approval by Islamic Council of FT on 25 Nov. 1977

3 A meeting with YB Datuk Othman Abdullah, Deputy Minister of PM Department by local representatives on 27 Nov. 1977

4 Donation collected from the public RM700,000.00

5 The government took over the project and placed it under the 3rd Malaysian 5 Year Plan

6 The site was officially handed over to the contractor 18 July 1980

7 The direction of the qiblat was consented by The Mufti of FT, S.S. Datuk Sheikh Abdul Mohsein bin Hj Salleh on 24 August 1980

8 Ground leveling works started September, 1980

9 Official brick layering ceremony by YB Datuk Amar Hj Abdul Taib bin Mahmud, Minister of FT 23 Nov. 1980

10 Completion of the mosque Mac, 1982

11 The mosque handed over officially to the government – received by Acting KL Mayor who was also the Secretary Gen. for the Ministry of Federal Territories on 29 March 1982

12 Official Opening Ceremony by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong 15 July 1982.

Architecture and facilities

The Muslim population in 1975 was 15,000 people.

The architecture is traditional mosque architecture with a menaret (43.3 m), arches, big dome (16.6 m wide and 24 m from the floor), and motifs, but modern in form.

The building has three levels:

• Ground Floor:
  • class rooms for religious classes
  • office space and library
  • multipurpose hall – can accommodate up to 200
  • canteen for serving food
  • place for ablution and toilet

• First Floor:
  • Main praying hall for daily use by up to 1,000 people. Full capacity: 4,000 people.

• Second Floor:
  • Additional praying hall for Fridays and special occasions
  • Left Wing: school block comprising class rooms and school office

In the compound, there is a book shop and canteen for the public as well as school students.

Contact

MSABA can be reached at Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, Jalan Ara, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Tel. No. 0603-22833707, Fax No. 060-2282 1222. Alternatively at www.masjidbangsar.blogspot.com. Unfortunately, at the moment it is only written in Bahasa Malaysia only.

Notes