Masjid Kampong Siglap

Masjid Kampong Siglap
مسجد قرية الظلام‎
Religion
AffiliationSunni Islam
Location
Location451 Marine Parade Rd, Singapore 449283
CountrySingapore
Masjid Kampong Siglap is located in Singapore
Masjid Kampong Siglap
Location in Singapore
Geographic coordinates1°18′34″N 103°55′40″E / 1.3094729°N 103.9276613°E / 1.3094729; 103.9276613
Architecture
Typemosque
StyleMalay architecture
Date establishedUnknown, earliest mention 1902
Completed1992
Specifications
Capacity3,000
Minaret(s)1

Masjid Kampong Siglap (مسجد قرية الظلام‎) is a historic mosque located in the Siglap neighbourhood in the East Region, Singapore. It contains a madrasa known as the Tahriz Al-Quran Center of Singapore and dates back to more than 80 years. In 2009, the mosque was heavily damaged by a fire, but has been reopened since then.

History

The date of construction of the first mosque structure is not known, with the plaque of the mihrab on the old mosque dating back to 1902.[1][2][3] However, it was most likely constructed at an earlier date, a theory which was backed up by testimonies of former residents living in the area.[1][2][3] The older structure was said to have been built by the villagers living in Siglap in the colonial era, while the plaque is believed to have been installed on one of the mosque's earlier 20th-century renovations.[1][2] A 1992 article from The Straits Times states that the mosque was built in 1912.[4]

Following Singapore's independence in 1965, a new, larger mosque was built at the site and completed in 1992.[5] It was opened on the 27th of December of the same year.[1] The older mosque structure was still preserved, however, and converted into an activity hall.[4] Later renovations further converted it which was named the Tahfiz Al-Quran Center of Singapore.[1][2] The new structure of the mosque preserved the kampong architectural style of the former building as well.[1][2][4]

2009 fire incident

In 2009, an arson attack was performed against the mosque which resulted in severe damage to the mosque, destruction of the prayer hall and the collapse of the roof.[2][6][7] Subsequent investigations revealed that the act was performed by a rogue teenager.[7][8] The mosque was then closed but reopened in 2011 after all the necessary repairs and upgrading had been done.[2][7] In addition to that, the mosque's staff received extra training in case of another fire.[7]

Architecture

The present mosque is built in the Malay architectural style in order to retain the "kampong" aesthetic and appearance.[1][4] Architectural elements include the timber beams to support the roof, as well as the roof trusses, both of which are similar in appearance to the interior of a typical Malay village house.[4][6] The capacity of the mosque's prayer hall is 3,000 worshippers.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "About Us | Masjid Kampung Siglap Darul Quran Singapura". Masjid Kampung Sigla. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Kampung Siglap Mosque | learnislam". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  3. ^ a b "M | Reinstate Works To Kampong Siglap Mosque". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Kampung feel kept alive in Siglap mosque". The Straits Times. 10 June 1992. p. 22.
  5. ^ a b "Muis | Kampung Siglap". www.muis.gov.sg. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  6. ^ a b Ho, Stephanie; Koh, Jamie. "Siglap". National Library Board. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  7. ^ a b c d "10 tahun selepas kebakaran besar Masjid Kampung Siglap – Apa yang sudah berubah?". BERITA Mediacorp. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  8. ^ "Fire insurance mandatory for mosques soon". The Straits Times. 9 October 2009. p. 8.