Top 20 fun things to enjoy in Kota Kinabalu! (9. Visit ‘Likas Floating Mosque’)
Top 20 fun things to enjoy in Kota Kinabalu! (9. Visit ‘Likas Floating Mosque’)
There are two main mosques in Kota Kinabalu. The first is the Sabah State Mosque which is located a couple of kilometres from the city centre near to the Sabah Museum. However, the subject of today’s blog is Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (Kota Kinabalu City Mosque) that’s around 5km north of the city.
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque / ‘Likas Floating Mosque’
Inspired by Arabic architecture, and based on the Nabawi Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, the mosque is built on a two-and-a-half acre site of land reclaimed from the sea that’s located between the shoreline and Likas village. Surrounded by a man-made lagoon, this has given rise to the mosque’s local name ‘Likas Floating Mosque’ and is a significant local landmark known to all.
The building of the mosque commenced in 1992 and was opened in 2000 and can accommodate anything up to 12,000 worshippers.
Popular Tourist Destination
The mosque is open to non-Muslims every day except on Islam’s holiest day (Friday) and is popular with tourists and typically attracts 700-1,000 visitors per day. It’s just RM5 to enter the grounds that gives many opportunities to take photos of the mosque’s grand and stunning architecture from different angles and is very popular with photographers who try to capture the mosque’s reflection in the lagoon.
Provided the visitor is wearing appropriate attire (that can be rented for an additional small fee), it’s also possible for non-Muslims to visit some areas inside the mosque. Here I’m welcomed at the entrance by the knowledgeable and friendly Ms Fatin who provides insight and answers to my questions and who is a wonderful ambassador for the mosque. I learn many things including that the mosque, as do all mosques has been built to face towards Mecca.
The mosque also has a school that can accommodate up to 700 students, there’s also a school for blind pupils who can learn braille plus a special school supporting pupils with special learning needs.
I spent a fascinating and enjoyable couple of hours walking around the site and highly recommend that a visit to Likas Floating Mosque should be on all visitors lists of places to visit in Kota Kinabalu.
Top Tip for Visitors:
Dress and behave respectfully, this will be appreciated by your welcoming hosts.
If you’re a keen photographer, set the alarm clock and arrive at sunrise to capture some magical pictures with the sun rising from the east over the mosque.
About Martin
Martin is a British expat living in Kota Kinabalu who arranges tailored tours within Sabah primarily for British and Western tourists on behalf of Blue Kinabalu Travel Agency. Please help spread the word about beautiful Sabah and share this post using the social share buttons below.
