| Taipei Grand Mosque | |
|---|---|
|
台北清真寺 |
|
| Basic information | |
| Location | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Municipality | Taipei City |
| Website | http://www.taipeimosque.org.tw/ |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Yang Chuo-cheng |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Completed | 1960 |
| Construction cost | $250,000USD |
The Taipei Grand Mosque (Chinese: 台北清真寺; pinyin: Táiběi Qīngzhēnsì; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-pak Chheng-chin-sī) is the largest and most famous mosque in Taiwan with a total area of 2,747 square meters. Located in the Daan district of Taipei City, it is Taiwan's most important Islamic structure and was registered as a historic landmark on June 26, 1999 by the Taipei City Government.
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In the latter part of the 1950s, Director General of the Chinese Muslim Association Bai Chongxi and Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yeh (葉公超) proposed the construction of an Islamic-style mosque which was designed by the famous architect Yang Chuo-cheng (楊卓成) who also designed the National Theater (國家戲劇院) [1][1]. The mosque was constructed by the Continental Engineering Corporation (大陸工程公司) and completed on April 13, 1960. The cost of the construction was covered by the Chinese Muslim Association with funding of $150,000 from the Shah of Iran and King of Jordan and $100,000 loaned by the Kuomintang government. It is the largest mosque in Taiwan with a total area of 2,747 square meters and an expansive prayer hall with a height and width of 15 meters[2]. Facilities include a reception hall, prayer hall, offices, a library, ablution hall. Muslims both foreign and local gather at the mosque on Fridays between 1:00-3:00 PM. Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer) is held between 12:30-1:40 PM. The Imam at the mosque is Ma Shiao-chi (馬孝棋) [2].
The mosque has strong ties to Saudi Arabia which continues to provide financial support to the mosque. Visiting Saudi Imams come to preach at the mosque during Ramadan. In 1971 the mosque was visited by King Faisal[3].