TAIPEI: The Taipei Grand Mosque, situated in the heart of the city’s commercial and educational center, stands as a testament to the fusion of modernist architecture with traditional Arabic and Chinese designs.
Constructed in 1960 by renowned architect Yang Cho-cheng, it remains Taiwan’s largest and oldest mosque.
Used by a huge congregation, including international visitors and students, the mosque sees increased activity during Friday prayers. Babamale Olarewaju Abdulkareem, a Nigerian scholar in Taipei, visits the mosque weekly.
Yaser Cheng, chairman of the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation, estimates that there are approximately 3,000 Taiwanese Muslims, while the total Muslim community, including foreigners, reaches around 300,000.
General Bai Chongxi, a prominent Chinese Muslim leader played a crucial role in the mosque’s establishment.
Cheng noted that the mosque was constructed during a time of strong international relations for Taiwan in the 1950s and 1960s when leaders and diplomats from the Middle East frequently visited.
On Fridays, the congregation comprises individuals from over 30 countries, reflecting the diverse atmosphere for Muslims in Taiwan. Muslims enjoy liberty and full democracy in the country, Arab News reported.
For individuals like Afif Ismail, a student from Indonesia pursuing a doctorate in physics, being a Muslim in Taiwan is comfortable. His overall experience is positive. The grand mosque, with its Mandarin and English sermons, provides a familiar place of worship for Muslims from diverse backgrounds.
Newcomers to Taipei, such as Warda, a Pakistani engineering student, express awe at the well-organized complex that includes reception and prayer halls, administrative offices, and a library within less than 2,800 square meters.
Despite the huge congregation, the mosque offers a pleasant and welcoming experience for worshippers, attracting regular attendees like Warda who appreciate the organized and inclusive atmosphere every Friday.
