Nearly 25,000 more Muslim prayer spaces by 2018: Yaacob

Nearly 25,000 more Muslim prayer spaces by 2018: Yaacob

The increase will come from the upgrading of 5 mosques under MUP Phase 2, including the redevelopment of Darul Ghufran Mosque, the completion of Maarof Mosque in Jurong West later this year and Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands in early 2017.

Posted 14 Apr 2016 12:27 Updated 14 Apr 2016 21:47

SINGAPORE: By 2018, there will be an increase of 24,700 Muslim prayer spaces since 2009, said Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim on Thursday (April 14).

This will come from the upgrading of 5 mosques under MUP Phase 2, including the redevelopment of Darul Ghufran Mosque, the completion of Maarof Mosque in Jurong West later this year and Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands in early 2017.

Last month, Dr Yaacob announced that monthly contributions by Muslims to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) will be raised by between S$1 and S$10 beginning June 1. “This was necessary to meet the critical needs of our community,” he said, noting that since 2009, two mosques have been built and 17 upgraded.

Dr Yaacob also announced that a temporary covered prayer space catering for 500 congregants will be built opposite Al-Istighfar Mosque later this year, to relieve the “space crunch” there. In the long term, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) will upgrade the mosque, he said.

He added: “Last year, I shared our long term plans to build a new mosque in Tampines North. Over the past year, we have been working with government agencies to identify a suitable location for the mosque, bearing in mind the needs of the future neighbourhood town.

“I am happy to announce that we have safeguarded a site along Avenue 10, and in the heart of the future Tampines North town. The mosque will serve residents and workers there, and will also be accessible to those in Pasir Ris West and Punggol.”

- CNA/jo


- wong chee tat :)