Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, Gold-domed mosque in Cotabato City, Philippines.
The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque is a religious building with golden domes and tall minarets in Barangay Kalanganan II, Cotabato City, Philippines. The compound spreads across several hectares and accommodates thousands of worshippers in prayer halls beneath the central domes.
The mosque opened in 2011 after several years of construction, funded through joint contributions from Brunei and the Philippine government. The completion marked an important moment for the Muslim community in Mindanao and strengthened religious ties in the region.
The name honors the Sultan of Brunei, who contributed to its funding, linking Muslim communities from Maguindanao and surrounding areas. During Friday prayers, worshippers gather in the large halls displaying carpets from the Middle East and calligraphy along the walls.
Visitors should arrive outside prayer times when the compound is open to the public, typically in the morning and early afternoon. Modest clothing is expected, and women should bring headscarves if they wish to enter the prayer halls.
The minarets serve as navigation guides for aircraft flying near Cotabato airport at night, creating a visible glow above the city. The golden color of the domes comes from special paint that reflects intensely in sunlight and can be seen from a distance.
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