Malaysia Opens Islamic Civilisation Park

The Islamic Civilisation Park is the latest tourist attraction in Terengganu. It was officially opened by the Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi on Feb. 3, 2008.

Located on Pulau Wan Man (Wan Man Island) in Kuala Terengganu, the 23-hectares Park is part of a project under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) to further boost Kuala Terengganu as a waterfront city. Combining entertainment and education, the Park is expected to attract 1 million visitors during the Visit Terengganu Year 2008.

The Islamic Civilisation Park is divided into two zones: the Islamic Civilisation Complex and the Public Zone.

The Islamic Civilisation Complex features the first theme park that glorifies the achievements of Islamic architecture. When fully completed, the Park will feature 21 replicas of Islamic monuments and architecture from around the world. The main attractions of this theme park are five interactive monuments, namely Malaysia's National Mosque, the Dome of the Rock of Palestine, the Sacred Mosque of Saudi Arabia (Masjidil Haram), Al-Hambra Citadel of Spain and the Taj Mahal of India.

At press time, a total of eight replicas have been fully completed. They are; the Kalyan Minaret of Uzbekistan, Abu Nasr Shrine of Afghanistan, Samarra Winding Minaret of Iraq, Mohd Ali Mosque of Cairo, Qairawan Great Mosque of Tunisia, Agadez Great Mosque of Nigeria, Aleppo Citadel of Syria, Kul Syarif Mosque of Russia and Minaret of Xian, China.

However, only six replicas are available for distance viewing, which are the National Mosque of Malaysia, Kudus Minar Mosque of Indonesia, Pattani Central Mosque of Thailand, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque of Brunei, Taj Mahal of India and Minaret of Xian, China. All the other replicas are scheduled to be completed and available for viewing in May 2008.

Meanwhile, the Public Zone houses the impressive Crystal Mosque – icon for the Islamic Civilisation Park and a new landmark for Kuala Terengganu. The unique mosque made of crystal shine glass and steel was officially opened by His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on 8 February 2008.

The Public Zone also boasts the biggest convention centre in the east coast of peninsula Malaysia. It can seat up to 3,000 people at any one time.

Public transportation:

Regular shuttles from the city centre to the Park will be operational sometime in early April. Meanwhile, taxi services are available from the city centre to the Park. Alternatively, visitors can take the "Penambang" boat or a cruise boat from the Shahbandar Jetty to Tok Ku Paloh Jetty located in the Park itself.

Permai Inn Kuala Terengganu, an ideal stop-over for island hopping to the idyllic island of Kapas,Redang and Perhentian, is located just a few minutes walk from Batu Burok Beach and also a few minutes drive from Istana Maziah.

Permai Inn
Jalan Sultan Mahmud
20400 Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu

Tel : 09-622 2122
Fax : 09-622 2121
Email : permaiinn@gmail.com