Sarawak's first 'floating mosque' ready only by year-end

KUCHING: The profound wish of Kuching residents to see Sarawak's first 'floating mosque' at the Kuching Waterfront as one of the state's icons before the Aidilfitri this year will not likely be realised as its completion has been delayed until year-end.
Kuching City Mosque Welfare Trust Board deputy chairman Dr Syajahan Sayed Ahmad said thus far, only 60% of the two-storey mosque had been completed – a long way from completion which was originally scheduled for March.
He said the mosque construction project commenced in 2016 to meet the needs of a comfortable place of worship, replacing the Masjid India in Jalan Gambier which was getting over-crowded, especially during the Friday congregation.
"To avoid further risk of the delay (in completion), we are meeting with the contractor every month to ensure the smooth running of the project," he told Bernama when met here.
Syajahan said the RM15 million mosque which could accommodate a 1,600-strong congregation at any one time, was unique as part of the mosque was located on the land and the rest on the Sarawak River, hence the name, 'Floating Mosque'.
He said once the mosque was completed, the old mosque known as the Masjid India in Jalan Gambier, would be used as a madrasah (religious school) to carry out other religious-related programmes. — Bernama