Ever wondered about a gift from a Sultan to his people? The Masjid Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah stands before us. It is a testament to a ruler’s devotion.
This grand mosque is located in Kampong Jangsak Gadong. It is about 14km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Construction began in September 1996. It finished just a year later. The cost was $4136070.00. This was a donation from government employees who were Muslim. The Majlis Ugama Islam also helped.
The Masjid Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah officially opened on April 29 1999. It can hold 1200 worshippers.
Hassanal Bolkiah commissioned the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. It was a religious gift to Brunei. Construction started in 1988. The mosque opened on July 14 1994. It celebrated the Sultan’s 48th birthday. Sultan Bolkiah wanted it three kilometers outside the city center. He wanted it to be the largest in the country. It sits on 20 acres. A decorative gate encloses the parking lot.
The Bolkiah Mosque has fewer tourists than Saifuddien Mosque because of its distance. However, it is easy to reach. The Bolkiah Mosque is walkable from the city center. It is 40 minutes away. It’s a 25-minute walk from Gadong Night Market. The mosque is visible from the surrounding area.
The Bolkiah Mosque has a modern look. Turkey’s Ottoman Empire influenced the architecture. The exterior is symmetrical. The interior feels open. Four minarets reach 58 meters. They are decorated in blue and white tiles. Golden domes top them. The Bolkiah Mosque has 29 golden domes. This honors Sultan Bolkiah and his 28 predecessors.
Fountains surround the mosque. A large marble fountain greets you at the gate. A grand staircase sets a classy mood. The interior features Italian marble. Persian carpets adorn the floors. Mosaic walls and stained glass add color. Geometric patterns decorate the space.
The men’s prayer room has a golden theme. A large golden chandelier hangs low. It suspends from the domed ceiling. The exterior is lit in yellows and golds in the evening. It stands out from kilometers away.
Non-Muslims cannot visit the Bolkiah Mosque on Thursdays and Fridays. The mosque opens to visitors from 8 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 3 pm on Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sunday visitor hours are 10:30 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 3 pm. Men and women have separate prayer rooms. Only the men’s prayer room is open to male visitors. Guided tours are available. Check the schedule at the mosque entrance.
So, as you stand here, remember the Masjid Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is more than a building. It embodies faith, generosity and architectural grandeur.