Preparations for the mosque began in 1989, and the installation of foundation piles began in 1992. Construction was delayed between 1993 and 1994 owing to a lack of funds.The mosque was officially opened on 2 February 2000 following a proclamation of the city status of Kota Kinabalu. Construction of the mosque cost 34 million Malaysian ringgits. The architectural design is based on the Nabawi Mosque, the second holiest site in Islam, in Medina, Saudi Arabia.The dome is blue and gold, inspired by similar Arabic architecture.