Kuala lumpur: Although located in a rural area about eight kilometres from Bandar Jertih, the Eight-Dome Mosque in Kampung Lapan Kotak here is now one of Terengganu's best-known tourist destinations, attracting more than 70,000 visitors each year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the mosque's committee chairman, Ismail Jaapar, said its unique architecture, which resembles the iconic St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, has attracted visitors from both within and outside Terengganu since it opened in 2017. He mentioned that the mosque, which can accommodate about 500 congregants at any one time, receives an average of 200 visitors daily on weekdays, with the number rising to around 500 during weekends and school holidays.

Visitors frequent the mosque not only to perform prayers but also to take photographs against the backdrop of its colourful domes, which create the impression of being overseas, enhanced by the panoramic paddy fields stretching behind. The influence of social media has significantly contributed to the mosque's popularity, as visitors share their experiences online, increasing the visibility of Kampung Lapan Kotak.

Ismail noted a surge in visitors following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the mosque also attracting foreigners, particularly from China, who discovered the site through posts shared on the popular social media platform Rednote. To facilitate photography, a special building has been constructed in one corner of the compound, featuring an open loft that offers panoramic views of all eight domes, set against blue skies and lush paddy fields.

The mosque complex includes a ground floor area housing stalls that sell food and souvenirs, providing local residents with business opportunities and aiding in income generation for the surrounding community. Ismail expressed pride in how the mosque has put their village, home to about 700 residents, on the map and strengthened community ties.

The RM4.5 million mosque was built through public donations, along with an initial RM500,000 allocation from the Terengganu Islamic Religion and Malay Customs Council (Maidam). Beyond the main building and photography area, the mosque features an additional block serving as a community development centre, equipped with a multipurpose hall, meeting room, and two guest houses.

However, the mosque management currently faces financial constraints in repainting the eight domes, whose original colours have faded due to weather exposure. Ismail expressed hope that the public or interested parties would contribute to preserving the mosque's appearance and maintaining its status as one of Terengganu's leading tourist attractions.

Visitor Alan Thong Weng Kwong, 65, shared that he and his friends traveled from Penang to visit the mosque after seeing its unique architecture on social media. They planned to visit the Crystal Mosque in Kuala Terengganu and then travel to Pahang after their stop at the Eight-Dome Mosque.