Although it is a recent building, having only been completed in 1999, the Putra Mosque has become one of the most distinctive buildings in Putrajaya, Malaysia. It’s also one of the largest mosques in Malaysia and can accommodate 15,000 worshippers, although the spacious interior is also used for lectures and meetings.

Every effort was made during the mosque’s construction to incorporate traditional elements and motifs into its design. The mosque’s overall design is based on several Muslim cultures, as well as Islamic architecture dating from the Safavid period and traditional Malaysian designs. The building was constructed almost entirely of rose-colored granite and the grounds are landscaped, with several attractive water features as well as a paved courtyard where worshippers can congregate.

The building’s interior is equally as striking. The main dome rises over 200 feet above the floor and is supported by 12 columns. Islamic writing, called Khat, adds further decoration to some of the key interior features, including the mimbar or pulpit; and the alcove that signifies the direction of Mecca, known as the mehrab.

For such a large building, the Putre Mosque boasts a state of the art and ingenious sound system, that is particularly effective when the building is full of people praying. Special front throw speakers have been used to create the effect that all the sounds inside the mosque are originating from the imam, or the person leading the prayer service.

One of the most distinctive features of Putra Mosque is its minaret. At over 300 feet tall, it is the highest in the area and ensures that the mosque is visible from several miles. The minaret was designed to have five tiers, represnting the Five Pillars of Islam, otherwise known as the Rukun Islam; and was also based partly on the design of the Sheikh Omar Mosque in Baghdad.