Kota Kinabalu features impressive Islamic architecture including the State Mosque and City Mosque, both showcasing modern Islamic design with striking blue domes reflecting the nearby South China Sea. The city has grown as an important Islamic center in Sabah, with significant historical ties to Brunei's Islamic sultanate and early Muslim settlements in North Borneo. The diverse Muslim community, including Malay, Bajau, and other ethnic groups, maintains rich Islamic traditions through active mosque congregations and Islamic educational institutions.