Sustainable development in mosque construction

Haoxuan Yu; Izni Zahidi; Chow Ming Fai; Dag Øivind Madsen

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-96786-x

Sustainable development in mosque construction

Sci Rep. 2025 May 23;15(1):17916. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96786-x.

Authors

Haoxuan Yu^{1

2}, Izni Zahidi^{3

4}, Chow Ming Fai^{5

6}, Dag Øivind Madsen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia. Haoxuan.Yu@monash.edu.
² Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub (M-CRInfra), School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia. Haoxuan.Yu@monash.edu.
³ Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia. Izni.MohdZahidi@monash.edu.
⁴ Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub (M-CRInfra), School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia. Izni.MohdZahidi@monash.edu.
⁵ Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
⁶ Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub (M-CRInfra), School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
⁷ Department of Business, Marketing and Law, USN School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, Hønefoss, Norway. dag.oivind.madsen@usn.no.

Abstract

The paper explores the significance of integrating sustainable development principles in mosque construction, focusing on the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Mosque in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, the first mosque in the country to achieve Green Building Index (GBI) Platinum certification. The mosque exemplifies the incorporation of environmental protection in religious architecture, emphasizing energy efficiency, emission reduction, and ecological harmony. It discusses the mosque's impact on the surrounding environment, particularly the increase in vegetation cover, which indicates successful ecological restoration. This assessment is based on satellite imagery analysis and the Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) calculation using the dimidiate pixel model, a validated methodology for rapid environmental change assessment widely applied in development monitoring contexts. The mosque's design and operation mirror Islamic teachings on conservation and balance with nature, presenting a contemporary response to environmental challenges. Through comparative analysis with mosques worldwide, including Masjid al-Haram (Saudi Arabia), Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkey), and the Great Mosque of Djenné (Mali), this study reveals how sustainable design principles are interpreted differently across geographical, historical, and cultural contexts. The paper also examines implementation challenges faced during the mosque's development, including financial constraints, technical complexities, and cultural considerations that required innovative solutions. It serves as an exemplary model for future religious constructions, showing how religious values and environmental stewardship can be integrated. In summary, the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Mosque stands as a benchmark in harmonizing sustainable development with Islamic architecture. Its eco-friendly practices highlight a commitment to environmental sustainability, positioning the mosque as a leader in promoting a balance between development and nature conservation in religious architecture, while raising important questions about the future evolution of sustainable design across diverse faith traditions.

Keywords: Islamic Architecture; Mosque Construction; Remote Sensing; Sustainable Development; Vegetation Cover.