Masjid Habib Officially Declared Penang's Northeast District Mosque

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The newly built RM30 million Masjid Habib, located in Bandar Tanjong Pinang here, has now been officially declared Penang’s Northeast District Mosque.

Habib Group Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Meer Sadik Habib said the project, which began in 2022, was to realise the noble aspiration of his late father, Datuk Habib Mohamed Abdul Latif, to build a mosque in the family’s hometown in Penang.

“This mosque originated from the dream of my late father, who often voiced his intention to build a mosque. Although I realised it was not an easy undertaking, I resolved to fulfil that wish, and he passed away a few days later,” he told reporters here today.

He was met after the Official Opening and Declaration of Masjid Habib as the Northeast District Mosque by Penang’s Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, with Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, president of the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP), also present.

Meer Sadik said the mosque, which was built and fully funded by the Habib Group, could accommodate more than 1,600 worshippers at one time and was equipped with other facilities for public use, such as lecture rooms, meeting rooms and a multipurpose hall for wedding ceremonies and certain events to meet the needs of the local community.

He said Masjid Habib was not merely a place of worship, but also served as a community centre that united people, regardless of background, besides being a medium for da’wah, and introducing the beauty of Islam to non-Muslim tourists.

“What is even more special is that its opening comes just in time ahead of the arrival of the month of Ramadan, thus complementing our aspiration to provide a place of worship that can be fully utilised, especially during this blessed month,” he said.

He said Masjid Habib was designed with a concept that prioritised comfort and environmental convenience, with its design emphasising accessibility and user-friendliness, particularly for senior citizens, women and children, while priority was given to functionality and comfort without excessive decoration.

Meer Sadik said, in addition, as a token of appreciation to women, who were among the main supporters of the Habib brand, special attention was also given to the women’s changing area, which was designed to be comfortable, practical and well-maintained.

He said in line with the family’s background in the jewellery industry, the design of the mosque’s dome was inspired by a unique diamond cut as a tribute to the culture of wearing jewellery, while the interior design and decoration of the mosque incorporated elements of Penang Jawi Peranakan art, produced through a meticulous process of research and observation.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said the site of Masjid Habib had a unique historical background as the 8,878.8 square metre or approximately 2.19-acre parcel of land was a handover from developer Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) as part of the conditions of the Planning Permission for the development of an artificial island project known as Andaman Island.

He said the land was registered in the name of MAINPP on May 5, 2004 as Lot PT 702, Section 1, Tanjung Tokong, specifically for the purpose of building a mosque, and in its early stage, the area was merely vacant land that had previously been used as a site for the developer’s office containers as well as a temporary commercial area known as “Penang Downtown Tanjong Tokong”.

“The initiative by the Habib Group is the best example of how the corporate sector can play a major role in the development of the ummah, and on behalf of the Penang state government, I would like to record my highest appreciation to Datuk Seri Meer Sadik and his family for this very meaningful contribution,” he said.

Previously, Masjid Terapung Tanjong Bunga served as the North-East District Mosque, but the mosque is currently undergoing renovation works and the function of the North-East District Mosque has been transferred to Masjid Habib.

-- BERNAMA