New mosque poised to become Sibu Jaya’s iconic landmark

SIBU: Masjid Darul Husna in Sibu Jaya here is set to become a new iconic landmark in the area, once all the works have reached completion.

Costing an estimated RM25.8 million and occupying a total area of five acres, the mosque should be ready by February next year, said Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Department ( Islamic Affairs and Kuching North City Commission) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.

“The progress has been going well since the project kicked off in August last year, and the works will take 18 months or a year plus to reach completion.

“Thus, the Muslim population in Sibu Jaya will be able to use the new mosque by early 2021,” he told reporters yesterday during a press conference, called in connection with his working visit to the mosque project site, where he was accompanied by Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC) chief executive officer Mohamad Asman Ahmad.

According to Dr Abdul Rahman, the mosque project is being jointly carried out by the Sarawak government and HDC, in collaboration with several other agencies and developers.

On the design, Dr Abdul Rahman said it was quite unique due to its resemblance to a kite.

On the interior design, he said the focus would be on the greenbuilding concept, comprising two main components – energy reduction and natural ventilation.

“The design is as such that it harnesses natural sunlight and also mirrors to brighten up the interiors without having to switch on the lights; thus, reducing electricity usage.

“The air passage is efficiently designed to provide comfort to the congregation; more efficient airflow means cooler ambience; again, energy reduction as the usage of air- conditioning units is reduced,” he added.

In this regard, Dr Abdul Rahman said the design concept for Masjid Darul Husna would be ‘ adopted’ by the state government to be ‘the template’ for the construction of new mosques and suraus in Sarawak going forward.

It is learnt that the new Masjid Darul Husna could accommodate 3,000 members of congregation at one time.

Dr Abdul Rahman said adjacent to the mosque would be a community hall with a filling capacity of up to 600 people.

“The mosque will benefit the residents in Sibu Jaya, not only for religious activities but also for community-related activities or specific programmes, as it has a hall adjacent to it,” he added.