Masjid India (Floating Mosque)

Masjid India, also known as the Kuching Floating Mosque, is a mosque built on stilts over the Sarawak River at Jalan Gambier along the Kuching Waterfront in Kuching, Sarawak. Originally established in the 19th century by the Indian Muslim trading community, the present floating structure was rebuilt and reopened in 2019. It is notable for its distinctive floating architecture, riverfront location, and role as a landmark on the Kuching Waterfront.

Visitors can expect a modern mosque structure built over the water on stilts, connected to the Kuching Waterfront promenade by a walkway. The exterior features white and turquoise domes and minarets reflected in the Sarawak River. Inside is a main prayer hall with ablution areas. The surroundings offer open river views, views of the Darul Hana Bridge and the northern riverbank, and a waterfront promenade for sightseeing and photography outside prayer times.

The original Masjid India was established in the 19th century, commonly dated to 1834 or 1876, by Indian Muslim traders who settled in Kuching. It served the Indian Muslim community near the Sarawak River trading area. The mosque was later rebuilt as a floating mosque over the river, with the new structure completed and inaugurated in 2019, preserving its historic role while adding a distinctive waterfront landmark.

The mosque serves as an important place of worship for the Muslim community in central Kuching and reflects the heritage of the Indian Muslim community in Sarawak. Its waterfront location makes it a cultural and architectural landmark along the Kuching Waterfront, used for daily prayers and religious gatherings.