Green architecture approach toward sustainable mosques in Malaysia

Abstract

Rising thermal comfort expectations during worship at mosques in Malaysia have led to increasingly high carbon emissions due to electricity consumption for cooling. An increasing number of existing mosques in urban and affluent areas are retrofitted with extensive air-conditioning systems. In addition, new mosques are designed with active rather than passive cooling techniques. At the same time, although widely promoted in Islam, sustainable ways of living, including water and resource conservation, equitable physical and knowledge access, and community bonding, are not being actively promoted and practiced by the mosques communities. Therefore, this paper presents a descriptive study of the Green Building Index certified Raja Fi Sabilillah Mosque in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. This study aims to uncover practical green and sustainable architecture elements that could be implemented at other mosques. This study observed a high amount of renewable energy generated at this large mosque. Further, energy is conserved by using passive cooling, natural daylighting, and LED indoor lighting. Other installed features are water-saving taps, wheelchair access, and a disabled ablution booth. Overall, this case study points toward a sustainable mosque through a green architecture approach that could be widely implemented for the betterment of the Ummah.