Mosques in Malaysia: British colonial architectural influence and forming a new national identity

Mosques represent a significant aspect of Muslim life; showcasing the religion’s rich history as well as its ability to thrive over time. Yet, the built design of these mosques often demonstrate a colonial style, which looks to the Middle East for inspiration. The focus of this paper is to explore to what extent British colonial powers have influenced the mosque and its design in Malaysia today. Such a study is necessary in order to highlight that Malaysian Mosques should reflect the diverse population of Malaysia. Throughout the paper, specific examples of mosques (vernacular, colonial and neo-Islamic styles) will be utilised to gain a better understanding of contrasting images of mosques throughout the country. The paper concludes by contending that Malaysia should seek to fuse its own identity into its architectural designs and re-discover what it means to be Malaysian by focusing on building a national identity through its built environment.