Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is the state mosque of the state of Johor in southern Malaysia, just across the border from Singapore.
Notice how this Islamic house of worship is built, at least partly, in a Victorian English style? There are other influences as well, of course – Moorish, and Malay – but look at the minarets. Couldn’t they just as well have been clock towers in England?
This Victorian mosque was built in the 1890s and the Sultan of Johor at the time was somewhat of an Anglophile, so we can see this architectural style on a number of royal and official buildings in the state of Johor.
For some odd reason I’ve seen the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque quite a few times; not necessarily intending to, just by chance, really. It’s a lovely mosque – and a nice place to sit and contemplate – or think of nothing. And when you get tired of looking at the mosque, there are wonderful views of the Straits of Johor.
Tuan Haji Mohmamed Arif bin Punak is the architect behind this beautiful mosque.
World at a Glance is a series of short articles here on Sophie’s World, portraying curious, evocative, happy, sad or wondrous, unexpected little encounters. Normally, these posts have one single photo. However, I decided to make an exception today. You know, just because I can.
Ok so we went to Johor when I was in Singapore for a couple of months and it did not look anything like this! Looks like we missed the pretty part…we just went to buy groceries…
It’s often like that with border towns. Have to search a bit for the gems…
I would never have guessed that this was a mosque and am so impressed and inspired by your knowledge of architectural styles! THank you for the lesson on both history and architecture!
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Lovely post and beautiful (and interesting!) mosque indeed. I loved Malaysia and so would like to go back there one day!
I’ve only been in Johor – and in Melaka, so I need to go back and see much more of the country.
What a beautiful building. And your analysis of it is spot on. When we were in Singapore we didn’t venture across the borders.
Thanks, Vera. Maybe next time in Singapore, eh? It’s an easy day trip – or even half-day trip.
Well, glad you posted 3 photos – they’re all great! Very interesting looking mosque…
I think so, too. So different from the mosques I’ve seen in e.g. the UAE.
Wow! what a beautiful building. I could have thought it’s a royal house rather than a Mosque.
Funny, now that you mention it, it actually reminds me of the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa…
Impressive architecture, we also had a visit to Paris Mosque and it was so beutiful which was built on the islamic architecture.
Mosques are generally very beautiful, aren’t they… whether they’re unusual like this one, or more traditional ones.
It certainly doesn’t look like a typical mosque. A unique one for sure.
Mosques are very often beautiful. This one is beautiful, yet different.
yeah, it’s odd to know that the Mosque has been built in Victorian English Style.
England – and Queen Victoria – had considerable influence in the area.
Great architecture!
Isn’t it, though?