Description

Formerly known as Nusajaya, Iskandar Puteri is the new and modern metropolis planned in the southern state of Johor. Aside from the administrative buildings, a mosque named Masjid Kota Iskandar has also been built here and was completed in 2014. The mosque is purported as the second state mosque, after the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque in Johor Bahru.
The overall planning concept of the mosque and surrounding buildings is based on the strong axis known as ‘Al-Mustaqim’, a visual qibla reference point that begins from a future landmark tower located across the waterfront precinct eastward. A small sculpture, indicating the qibla is placed next to Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad Building, connected all the way to the mosque via a pedestrian walkway and landscaping works.
Conceptually, the design of the Kota Iskandar Mosque stands on its own in the middle of an opulent landscape work; very much like a huge pavilion that surface from a lush garden. The mosque building is designed with a discreet and humble architectural presence, but yet influential in creating a termination point for the whole civic building composition along the invisible axis. This is the reason behind the subtle and seamless main dome, which is a hollowed skeleton dome with a skylight below. The geometric and calligraphic interplay on the dome structure reminisced the roof of a pavilion allowing for light and air to the internal spaces. Complementing the dome is the six towering ‘light tower’ minarets.
Inspired by the form of the light tower, the minarets will shimmer at night time with the gleaming head section in a blue coloured light, while the body, covered with fins, will also glow impressively standing against the night-sky backdrop. Unlike the earth tone of the exterior, the clean and plain white of the main prayer hall accentuates the simplicity of the interior design. The main four columns in the middle are equipped with half columns across the hall. While on the front qibla wall, the white wash wall is adorned with two large inscriptions of Allah and Prophet Muhammad on each site.
Tucked in the middle is a large horseshoe arch, where the mihrab niche is located. Following the style of most traditional mosques in Johor state, the mihrab space is fully utilised with a minbar platform placed in the middle. With its muqarnas finish, the mihrab niche provides an ample space for the placement of a minbar. The white-coated timber minbar is connected by a flight of stairs, surmounted with a miniature of the main dome.
Apart from the surrounding tropical Islamic garden used as a landscaping feature, it can also be used as an overspill prayer area. A connecting bridge is provided, known as ‘Siar Jauhar’ that links the mosque to the nearby Sultan Ismail Building. Many other facilities are also furnished, including a mini library, seminar rooms, classrooms, mortuary, car park and lift .

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