Al-Kauthar Mosque Tawau — Largest Mosque in Sabah
What is the Al-Kauthar Mosque in Tawau?
The Al-Kauthar Mosque is the largest mosque in Sabah, on the Tawau beachfront. It holds up to 17,000 worshippers, with two prayer halls for men and women across two levels, according to the Tawau Municipal Council.
What is the Al-Kauthar Mosque?
The Al-Kauthar Mosque is a major mosque located on the beachfront in Tawau, in the south-east of Sabah. It is best known as the largest mosque in the state, able to hold up to 17,000 worshippers, with two prayer halls for men and women across two levels (Tawau Municipal Council, Explore Tawau brochure, checked 7 October 2026).
Its size and coastal setting make it the principal landmark of Muslim worship in Tawau and one of the most significant mosques in Sabah as a whole. The building is a striking white square structure topped by a single large dome.
For visitors travelling through Tawau, the mosque is a notable point of interest, both for its scale and for its position overlooking the sea.
The largest mosque in Sabah
With a capacity of 17,000 worshippers (Tawau Municipal Council, Explore Tawau brochure; the mosque chairman gave the same figure to Bernama, 11 December 2020), the Al-Kauthar Mosque is the largest mosque in Sabah. That capacity comfortably exceeds the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (9,000 to 12,000, per the Sabah Tourism Board) and the Sabah State Mosque (up to 5,000, per the Sabah Tourism Board), both checked 7 October 2026.
| Mosque | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Kauthar Mosque | Tawau | 17,000 |
| Kota Kinabalu City Mosque | Likas Bay, KK | 9,000–12,000 |
| Sabah State Mosque | Sembulan, KK | Up to 5,000 |
History
We could not confirm the construction dates, building cost or official opening of the Al-Kauthar Mosque from an official or Malaysian news source, so they are not given here. For the mosque's history, ask the mosque office or the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS).
Architecture
The mosque is a white square building dominated by a single large dome, the defining feature of the structure and a focal point visible from a distance. Inside, there are two prayer halls for men and women across two levels (Tawau Municipal Council).
The clean white form against the coastal backdrop gives the mosque a distinctive appearance among Sabah's places of worship. Its scale, combined with the beachfront location, makes it a memorable architectural landmark for Tawau.
Visiting the mosque
As an active place of worship, the Al-Kauthar Mosque should be visited respectfully. General mosque etiquette applies to all visitors:
- Cover your arms and legs and dress modestly.
- Remove your shoes before entering prayer areas.
- Speak quietly and avoid disturbing worshippers.
- Avoid prayer times, especially Friday congregational prayers, when the mosque is busiest.
The beachfront setting also makes the exterior and surroundings worth taking in, with the great dome standing out against the sky and the sea.
Other notable mosques in Sabah
Beyond Tawau, Sabah has several other mosques of note across its main cities and towns:
Sandakan Jamek Mosque (Masjid Jamik Sandakan): A 100-year-old mosque and the first stop on the Sandakan Heritage Trail (Sabah Tourism Board, checked 7 October 2026). It remains in active use.
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque: The Likas Floating Mosque sits beside a man-made lagoon and holds 9,000 to 12,000 people (Sabah Tourism Board, checked 7 October 2026). It is one of the capital's most photographed sites. Read about the City Mosque.
Sabah State Mosque: The state's official mosque in Sembulan, with room for up to 5,000 worshippers (Sabah Tourism Board, checked 7 October 2026). Its tall minaret is a fixture of the Kota Kinabalu skyline. Read about the State Mosque.