KUCHING: The Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) has instructed the Darul Ehsan Mosque in Kampung Semarang which was hit by strong waves last Saturday (Nov 14) to close immediately.
MIS secretary Ustaz Khalidi Ibrahim said the mosque had to be closed due to safety reasons.
“The construction of the new Kampung Semarang mosque on a five-acre piece of land at a cost of RM2.5 million has already started earlier this year and is expected to be completed by end of this year,” he said on Monday (Nov 16).
Khalidi added that effective Nov 16 until the completion of the new mosque, all mosque services would be held at An-Nur Surau at Kampung Sungai Durian Semarang.
“Among the activities allowed are temporary Friday prayers, and mosque members such as Imam, Bilai, and Marbot must be on duty at the An-Nur Surau,” he said.
Darul Ihsan Mosque, the only house of worship at Kampung Semarang, was damaged by strong waves at about 4.30pm last Saturday (Nov 14), leaving the floor mostly broken and carpets soaked with water.
The mosque is located right on the seafront which is an estuary of Batang Saribas.
It is believed that in 1973, the mosque was 1km inland, but due to long term erosion the mosque is now closer to the sea.
