National Mosque - A symbol of the country's unity

US President Barack Obama has arrived in Malaysia as part of a tour of Asia.

On Sunday Obama will visit the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. The visit is said to further emphasise Obama’s commitment to reach out to the Muslim world.

The National Mosque, with a capacity of 15,000 people is situated on a five-hectare site, was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department.

The mosque was built in 1965 on the site of a church, the Venning Road Brethren Gospel Hall which had stood there since 1922.

It’s key features are a 73-metre-high minaret and a 16-pointed star concrete main roof.

The mosque underwent major renovations in 1987, and the once-pink concrete roof is now clad in green and blue tiles. Today, Masjid Negara continues to stand sleek and stylish against the Kuala Lumpur skyline. [View photo gallery]