The Zahir Mosque is Kedah's state mosque. It is located in the heart of Alor Star, the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia. It is one of the grandest and oldest mosques in Malaysia, built in 1912. The design was inspired by the vision of the late Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin II who was inspired by the Azizi Mosque of the Langkat Sultanate in North Sumatra. The state's Quran reading competition is held annually within the premises of the mosque. This mosque has been voted the top 10 most beautiful mosques in the world.