Yusof Ishak Mosque to be completed by end 2016

Yusof Ishak Mosque to be completed by end 2016

New mosque will house 4,200 worshippers and cost S$15 million to build

BY
TAN SHI WEI
tanshiwei@mediacorp.com.sgPUBLISHED: 2:44 PM, AUGUST 22, 2014 UPDATED: 10:17 PM, AUGUST 22, 2014

SINGAPORE — Preliminary plans for the new Yusof Ishak Mosque were unveiled yesterday (Aug 22) at the launch of a two-week design roadshow to gather feedback from congregants and the community at large about the building’s design, facilities and services.

Once completed, the mosque will be one of the bigger mosques out of the current 68 in Singapore. It is also the 26th satellite mosque to be funded by the community through the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF). The structure, which would cost S$15 million to construct, will be able to accomodate up to 4,200 worshippers.

Speaking to the media at the event, Minister in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said he hopes the new mosque would be able to run programmes that involve the community at large and, in so doing, promote social cohesion and racial harmony in Singapore.

“Clearly, our late President (Yusof Ishak) was a pillar in terms of the values he held dear, especially in terms of multi-racialism and inclusiveness. By having named the mosque after him, it is also important that we try and encourage as many programmes as possible to bring non-Muslims closer to the mosque,” said Dr Yaacob, who is also the Minister for Communications and Information.

A total of S$1 million, out of a targeted S$2.5 million, has been raised by the Mosque Building Committee (JPM) to furnish it. Work on the new mosque is slated to begin in the first quarter of next year and will be completed at the end of 2016.

Occupying a 2,500sqm site along Woodlands Drive 17, the mosque’s design will be a blend of traditional mosque characteristics and Malay heritage, incorporating distinctive features of a tropical Malay house, such as overhangs and a verandah. Elder-friendly facilities such as lifts and ramps will also be built to cater to the increasing number of elderly congregants.

Natural ventilation and lighting will also be used to attain sustainability. The building will be opened more towards prevailing winds, while windows with etched glass patterns and aluminium fins will be used to help reduce glare and heat.

As it aims to become a place for the community, non-Muslim residents in the vicinity would be welcomed to utilise its facilities such as the auditorium and conference room.

Asked about the significance having a mosque named after the Republic’s first President, Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram highlighted the late President’s drive and perserverance, as well as his good attitude and righteous nature as learning points for the young. “(These) are (the) few values that were significant in the life of Yusof Ishak that need to be developed further and instilled in the hearts and minds of the next generation.”

Plans to build the mosque were first announced in 2010 as a measure to meet increasing demand for prayer spaces. Currently, An-Nur Mosque at Admiralty Road is the only mosque in the Woodlands vicinity.

The public is encouraged to pen down their thoughts, ideas and suggestions and submit them at the roadshow at An-Nur Mosque which will run until Sept 5.





- wong chee tat :)