Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
| Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque | |
|---|---|
Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien | |
The mosque in 2007 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Ownership | Government of Brunei |
| Governing body | Department of Mosque Affairs |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Pusat Bandar, Bandar Seri Begawan |
| Country | Brunei |
Location of the mosque in Brunei | |
Interactive map of Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque | |
| Coordinates | 4°53′22″N 114°56′21″E / 4.8894°N 114.9392°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architects | Rudolfo Nolli Booty Edwards & Partners Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III |
| Type | mosque |
| Style | Eclectic-Mughal architecture |
| Founder | Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III |
| Groundbreaking | 4 February 1954 |
| Completed | 1958 |
| Construction cost | US$5 million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 3,000 worshipers |
| Length | 69 m (225 ft) |
| Width | 26 m (86 ft) |
| Height (max) | 171 ft (52 m) |
| Dome | 1 |
| Minaret | 5 |
| Minaret height | 51 m (166 ft) |
| Site area | 2.0 ha (5 acres) |
| Materials | Concrete; steel; Italian marble; granite; ceramic tiles; copper; gold leaf; Venetian glass |
The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Malay: Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien). or unofficially Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque (abbreviated as the SOAS Mosque), is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is one of the two state mosques (masjid negara), the other being Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. One of the biggest and most striking mosques in the Far East, it was completed in 1958 at a cost of US$5 million, built by the eponymous Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei.
The mosque's design was significantly influenced by Mughal architecture; and it is recognisable by its gold dome that dominates the city's skyline. Situated in a man-made lagoon with a ceremonial stone barge, the mosque has become one of the most photographed icons in the country. The interior is decorated with rugs from Saudi Arabia and walls made of Italian marble. The mosque is a popular tourist destination due to its façade, but its main purpose is to be a place of worship.