Terengganu’s Crystal Mosque struggles to regain its shine

The Crystal Mosque in Terengganu was once named the third most beautiful mosque in the world.

Given its unique design, it had drawn visitors from far and wide since it began operating in 2008.

Able to fit 1,500 congregants at any one time, the Crystal Mosque cost a whopping RM22 million to build.

Today, though, it stands in sad condition with water leaking through the roof and cracks in the once-spotless dome mirrors.

Recent checks by MalaysiaNow found repair work underway at the mosque, the prayer hall of which had been closed to visitors. The only other place to pray was in another building outside the mosque itself.

Repair work began in 2019 but was derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The goal now is to complete the repairs by April so that the moque can open once again during the coming Ramadan season.

Muhd Khairul Nizam, a visitor from the Klang Valley, said he and his family had come to see the beauty of the Crystal Mosque after visiting the nearby Islamic Civilisation Park. However, they were only able to view it from the outside.

“We were a little disappointed but we understand if they wish to keep it closed, to prevent visitors from coming to any harm,” he said.

A worker at a souvenir shop meanwhile said that most visitors are more focused on the Islamic Civilisation Park.

“Many of them come to the mosque to pray, but are forced to content themselves with taking pictures outside the mosque itself,” he said.

“The maintenance notice has been up for a long time but not many realise it.”

Tourism, culture and digital technology exco Ariffin Deraman said in mid-January that Terengganu was targeting five million tourists this year, a drop of two million from the 5.5 million targeted last year.

Ariffin said the number would be revised according to Covid-19 developments.

But even closed, the mosque still draws a number of people including university graduates who wish to take photographs there. Others meanwhile come for the nearby river cruise.

Even so, and despite the easing of many Covid-19 restrictions including the ban on interstate travel, the Crystal Mosque is still struggling to regain its shine.

“Many people are still afraid to go out,” said a food stall owner whose shop is located near the mosque.

“Some shops here were forced to shut down, and their stalls were given to other people.”

Even during weekends, he said, the number of visitors pales in comparison to what it was before the pandemic.

For now, though, businesses and tourists alike can only wait and hope for the day the pandemic subsides and life goes back to how it used to be.