National Mosque (Masjid Negara)
Last updated: October 2026
The National Mosque of Malaysia, Masjid Negara, stands in 13 acres of gardens and pools on Jalan Perdana, opposite the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and next to the Islamic Arts Museum. Opened in 1965, it was built as a symbol of the newly independent nation, and its design is boldly modern rather than traditional: a folded concrete roof spread like an open umbrella, a slender 73-metre minaret shaped like a closed one, and courtyards shaded by rows of small concrete "umbrellas" over reflecting pools. It holds up to 15,000 worshippers and is gazetted as a national heritage site. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome at set times, free of charge, with robes provided.
This guide covers the mosque's history, architecture, what you can see as a visitor, visiting times and dress code (checked October 2026), how to get there and tips.
| Address | Jalan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|
| Details | Non-Muslim visiting Sat–Thu 9 am – 12 pm, 3 – 4 pm, 5:30 – 6:30 pm; Fri 3 – 4 pm, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Free |
| Opening hours | Non-Muslims Sat–Thu 9–12, 3–4, 5:30–6:30; Fri 3–4, 5:30–6:30 |
| Area | Lake Gardens |
| Typical visit | About 45 min |
| Listed in | Kuala Lumpur Attractions |
| Take me here | |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
History of the National Mosque
According to the mosque's own history, the idea arose a month before independence in August 1957, when the Federal Executive Council decided to build a mosque in appreciation of the first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The Conference of Rulers approved the project after independence. The Tunku declined to have the mosque named after him, choosing the name Masjid Negara (National Mosque) instead, as a thanksgiving for the country's peaceful independence without bloodshed.
The site, on what was then Venning Road (now Jalan Perdana), had previously held government quarters, the Railway Services Commission building, a Masonic lodge, the NAAFI Galloway Club and the Venning Road Brethren Gospel Hall. The foundation stone was laid on 27 February 1963, and the mosque was declared open on 27 August 1965 by the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Putra of Perlis. It cost about RM10 million. The mosque's official history notes that it was designed by Malay architects, built by Chinese and Indian workers and paid for partly by donations from Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.
The design came from the Public Works Department (JKR) design and research branch, led by Baharuddin Abu Kassim with Ikmal Hisham Albakri and the British architect Howard Ashley. Before starting, Baharuddin toured mosques in India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Republic (Egypt) and Spain. The roof was originally finished in pink; in a major renovation in 1987 it was re-covered in the green and blue tiles you see today, and the mihrab was later remodelled with an arched Moroccan-style frame.
The mosque and the adjoining Makam Pahlawan (Heroes' Mausoleum) were declared heritage sites in 2007 and gained national heritage status in 2012. Masjid Negara is administered by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
Architecture of the National Mosque
- The roof: the main prayer hall is covered by a folded reinforced-concrete roof, about 200 feet (61 metres) across and 84 feet high, usually described as a 16-pointed star or an open umbrella. It rests on 16 terrazzo-clad columns.
- The minaret: 245 feet (about 73 metres) tall, said to resemble a closed umbrella, or to some eyes a rocket.
- The courtyard: 48 small concrete umbrella roofs shade the central courtyard, flanked by pools and fountains that help cool the air.
- The prayer hall: walls clad in Italian marble, Quranic verses in gold and blue mosaic two feet high, and 16 chandeliers presented by the Malay rulers, state governors and a former head of state of Singapore. The hall itself holds about 3,000 worshippers, with room for 5,000 more on the verandas on three sides; the whole complex takes 15,000.
- Screens and grilles: terrazzo and aluminium lattice screens with Islamic geometric and floral patterns filter light and air into the galleries and verandas.
The umbrella imagery is deliberate: the open roof and shaded verandas suit the tropical climate, keeping the prayer areas cool with shade, open sides and water.
What to See at the National Mosque
- The prayer hall: non-Muslim visitors can look into the main prayer hall from its edge and walk the verandas, but do not enter the central carpeted prayer area.
- The courtyards and pools: the grid of concrete umbrellas and the reflecting pools are the most photographed part of the complex.
- Makam Pahlawan (Heroes' Mausoleum): to the west of the mosque, a circular mausoleum with a starburst-shaped concrete roof whose points almost touch the ground. It holds the graves of national leaders including Tun Abdul Razak (1976) and Tun Hussein Onn (1990), Deputy Prime Ministers Tun Dr Ismail (1973) and Ghafar Baba (2006), and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2025).
- The minaret and roof from outside: walk round to the Jalan Perdana side, or view it from the Islamic Arts Museum next door, to see the full sweep of the roof.
Visiting Hours, Admission and Dress Code
- Non-Muslim visiting times: Saturday to Thursday 9 am to 12 pm, 3 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 6:30 pm; Friday 3 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 6:30 pm only. Visits pause for prayers, and the mosque may close to tourists on Islamic holidays and during major events.
- Admission: free.
- Dress code: modest clothing covering arms and legs. Robes (usually purple or blue) and headscarves are lent free at the visitor entrance. Shoes come off before the carpeted and marble areas.
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes.
- Contact: 03-2107 3100.
How to Get to the National Mosque
- KTM Komuter: Kuala Lumpur station is directly opposite, about five minutes on foot via the pedestrian underpass.
- LRT/MRT: Pasar Seni station is about a 10-minute walk, crossing the road towards the old railway station.
- Grab or taxi: ask for "Masjid Negara, Jalan Perdana"; the visitor entrance is signed for tourists.
Tips for Visiting the National Mosque
- Go in the morning window: it is the longest, coolest and least likely to be cut short by rain or crowds.
- Check the prayer times for the day, because the visiting slots shift slightly around them.
- Be respectful: speak quietly, do not step in front of people praying, and ask before photographing worshippers.
- Public toilets run by Kuala Lumpur City Hall are near the tourist entrance.
- Combine the visit with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia next door, the KL Bird Park and Perdana Botanical Gardens just up the hill, and the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station across the road.
- For food, Nasi Lemak Tanglin in the Tanglin food court near the Lake Gardens is a short walk away and is well known for breakfast.
National Mosque (Masjid Negara) Location
Nearby
- Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia — Attraction, 0.2 km away
- Nasi Lemak Tanglin — Hawker food, 0.3 km away
- KL Bird Park — Attraction, 0.4 km away
- The Majestic Hotel KL — Hotel, 0.4 km away
- The Majestic Spa — Spa & massage, 0.4 km away
Plan a route with opening times using the Where2Go trip planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-Muslims visit the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 12 pm, 3 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 6:30 pm, and on Fridays from 3 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 6:30 pm, outside prayer times. Entry is free.
What should I wear to visit Masjid Negara?
Wear modest clothing that covers your arms and legs. Robes and headscarves are lent free at the visitor entrance, and shoes must be removed before entering the prayer areas.
When was the National Mosque built?
The foundation stone was laid on 27 February 1963, and the mosque was opened on 27 August 1965 by the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Putra.
How many people can the National Mosque hold?
The complex can hold about 15,000 worshippers. The prayer hall itself takes about 3,000, with room for 5,000 more on the surrounding verandas.
What is Makam Pahlawan?
It is the Heroes' Mausoleum beside the National Mosque, a circular building with a starburst roof where national leaders such as Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn are buried.
What is the nearest station to the National Mosque?
Kuala Lumpur KTM station is about five minutes away through the pedestrian underpass. Pasar Seni LRT/MRT station is about a 10-minute walk.