Text / Compiled & Reported by Chi Binghui Source / MOOK Editorial Department
Taiwan has the super tiny Little World and Miniature Museum, but Malaysia also has a theme park that collects classic Islamic architecture from around the world—think Blue Mosque, Taj Mahal—you name it—all built to scale in perfect miniature form, allowing you to experience the grandeur of centuries-old architecture without traveling far.
Turkey's Suleyman Mosque.
The Islamic Mosque Theme Park (Taman Tamadun Islam) is just a 15-minute drive from the city center. Built on the estuary of Terengganu, it’s hard not to notice the park when crossing the Terengganu Bridge. The row of mosques built along the riverside are very eye-catching, especially the black “Crystal Mosque” closest to the estuary.
The black “Crystal Mosque.”
Opened in 2008, the theme park is built on Wan Man Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The expansive site is divided into several zones including the Monument Park, Warrior Park, Convention Center, and Crystal Mosque. Among them, the Monument Park is like a miniature version of the world’s architectural highlights, featuring 21 of the most famous buildings from Southeast and South Asia.
The park houses many distinctive structures.
These structures include well-known landmarks such as Turkey’s Blue Mosque, India’s Taj Mahal, and Malaysia’s National Mosque. Other buildings represent countries like Russia, Syria, China, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Spain—like a mini world where each building is a faithfully scaled-down replica, making this one of the most fascinating corners of the theme park.
The buildings and decorations of Islamic nations feature a variety of colors.
Besides the miniature world architecture, the most special attraction in the park is the Crystal Mosque. Though the building appears black on the outside, it is actually made of large amounts of black crystal glass, with each panel reflecting the surrounding scenery, setting it apart from typical mosques. Inside, there is still a prayer space for Muslims. In addition to the stunning crystal chandeliers on the ceiling, every wall is made of translucent glass inscribed with sacred verses, praising the greatness of Allah—“All praise belongs to Allah,” “All glory is to the Almighty Allah”—allowing visitors to fully feel the devotion.
The solemn and majestic interior of the building.
- 1
- 2