KL's oldest mosque renamed Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad

KUALA LUMPUR: The oldest mosque in the city, Masjid Jamek has been renamed Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad.

Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah renamed it after his ancestor — the fourth Sultan of Selangor Sultan Abdul Samad — as the mosque was originally built on Selangor land.

In a statement Friday, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the renaming of the mosque was part of an initiative to preserve national heritage.

He said the mosque had been refurbished as part of the River of Life project, and could now host up to 1,000 people for prayers.

"The jemaah (congregation) praying here need no longer face the heat, thanks to the giant shades installed outside the building," he said, adding that they were inspired by the giant hydraulic shades at Masjid Nabawi in Madinah.

Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad opened in 1909 and is an iconic part of the city centre. It shares its original name with the nearby LRT station.