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Masjid Sultan - A Peek Into The History Of Singapore's Most Famous Mosque

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Shasha Dania •  May 25, 2023

Whether you're a local or a visitor, chances are you've been inside Masjid Sultan (Sultan Mosque) before or have at least snapped a few photos of its glorious golden domes! Regarded as Singapore's national mosque, it sits in the Bugis-Kampong Gelam area and is an important monument and gathering spot for Muslims in the country. Today, we're diving a little bit into the history of Masjid Sultan and how it became such a beautiful and adored landmark.

Credit: tourwithus

The mosque was founded in 1824 by Sultan Hussain Shah (hence its name), who proposed its construction to the British East India Company during a treaty agreement. At the time the Sultan and his family still lived in the area in the Istana Kampong Glam, and part of the land was set aside for a royal mosque to be built nearby. The original mosque (finished in 1826) was nothing like the grand structure you see today - it was a simple single-storey brick building, with a double-tiered roof. In fact, it was more similar to other traditional Southeast Asian mosques you can still find in the region! ? (Check out Masjid Kampong Laut in Kota Bahru for an idea of what traditional mosques in the area look like!)

The original mosque (finished in 1826) was nothing like the grand structure you see today - it was a simple single-storey brick building, with a double-tiered roof. In fact, it was more similar to other traditional Southeast Asian mosques you can still find in the region! ? (Check out Masjid Kampong Laut in Kota Bahru for an idea of what traditional mosques in the area look like!)

By 1924, the first round of restorations took place. A new building was constructed on the same site, with construction done in phases so as to not disrupt prayers. This is when the mosque as you may recognise it today first appeared, with its big onion-shaped domes and towering minarets. Fun fact - the base of the domes were made and decorated using glass bottle ends donated by lower-income Muslims. This allowed all members of the community to contribute to the mosque! ? P.S. Here are 9 more beautiful mosques in Singapore you should check out!

The mosque was designed in an Indo-Saracenic style that borrowed elements of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architecture like the huge domes and tall minarets. The interior was even repainted its original green to highlight the tall arches. ? For a closer look at a mosque with stronger Turkish and Ottoman influences, take a look at Japan's very own Tokyo Mosque (TokyoMosque Camii)!

Beautiful Islamic calligraphy and motifs decorate the interior, and the beautiful mihrab (pulpit) of the main prayer hall is framed by a tall and narrow arch with gold-plated floral motifs. ? As Islamic art avoids depictions of human or other figures, floral and geometric motifs are much more common.

Credit: Jnzl's Photos on Flickr

The blend of different cultures and styles in Masjid Sultan's decor reflects how the Muslim community here has its roots in traders and immigrants from around the world too! Even standing outside its wrought-iron gates, there's a beautiful majesty to the mosque that makes it a must-visit for any visitor! Mosques all around the world reflect a blend of Islamic and local influences, and Masjid Sultan is no exception. Credit:Francisco Anzola on Flickr The new building was opened in 1929 and construction finally completed in 1932. The mosque was eventually declared a preserved historical building in 1975 under the Preservation of Monuments Board Act! Though it no longer looked like the original mosque, it's a familiar landmark in the Singapore landscape. Especially because of all the delicious halal food in the area.

In the last few years, the mosque has undergone more renovation to keep up with the community's needs. Solar panels were installed in the Annex in 2017 to help reduce its carbon footprint, and water-saving taps were installed in the ablution (wudhu) areas! In 2018 the mosque was even included in Singapore's bicentennial celebrations, reflecting how it's become a beloved national monument for non-Muslims.

Visit Masjid Sultan to marvel at its gorgeous golden domes, seek out the stray cats that live in the vicinity, or find peace in the beauty and tranquillity of its noble structure. ☺️

Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833 (Do note that all tours are currently suspended due to COVID-19)

Opening hours: 5.30AM - 7AM, and 1PM - 9PM

Directions: Travel to Bugis MRT station, and walk 10 minutes along North Bridge Rd until you see the mosque.

Contact: 62934405 OR 62934043 Website | Facebook | Instagram