Yusof Ishak Mosque opens in Woodlands
By Liyana Othman Posted 14 Apr 2017 16:43 Updated 14 Apr 2017 19:44
Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands officially opened on Apr 14, 2017.
SINGAPORE: A mosque named after Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak was officially opened on Friday (Apr 14) by his widow Noor Aishah.
The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister-in-Charge for Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister-in-Charge for Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim tour Yusof Ishak Mosque. (Photo: Liyana Othman)
The Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands will serve not only the needs of the Muslim community, but will also reach out to non-Muslims in a bid to foster multiculturalism - a value the former head of state stood firm on while he was in office.
Back in 2014 – the same year when plans for the mosque were first unveiled by Mr Lee in his National Day Rally speech – Dr Yaacob urged the mosque to hold as many programmes as possible to bring non-Muslims closer, instead of just serving the socio-religious needs of the Muslim community.
For instance, non-Muslims will be able to use some of the mosque’s new facilities, such as the multi-purpose hall and the conference room. There are also features that are signs of inclusiveness, including lifts and ramps for older worshippers, a dedicated praying area for women and more spaces for families to pray.
Members of Parliament Ong Ye Kung, Khaw Boon Wan and Masagos Zulkifli, along with several members from the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs), representatives from nearby schools, and Mr Yusof’s family members and friends from Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei were also at the opening ceremony.
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WATCH: Noor Aishah, wife of late President Yusof Ishak, opens a new mosque named after him http://bit.ly/2pgtQC7 (📹: @LiyanaOthmanCNA)
6:21 PM - 14 Apr 2017
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Naming the mosque after the former head of state pays tribute to his contributions and is in line with the nation’s efforts to honour its pioneers, said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
The prayer space of the mosque was consecrated by Singapore’s Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram. It will be able to accommodate 4,500 people and will help ease the crowd situation at An-Nur Mosque, which was previously the only mosque serving the Woodlands and Admiralty areas. The new mosque will also help meet the increasing demand for prayer spaces.
What’s unique about this mosque is its look – it breaks away from the grand domes and instead, has the feel of a Malay house. The design of the mosque drew inspiration from Mr Yusof’s official and private residences, and blends traditional mosque characteristics with the heritage of the "Malay world", the Nusantara.
The colours used on the stained glass windows in the mosque represent Islamic and Malay art heritage. (Photo: MUIS)
The Yusof Ishak Mosque, which cost S$18 million to build, is one of 71 mosques in Singapore and the 26th to be funded by the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund, which all working Muslims in the country contribute to.
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Showing posts with label Yusof Ishak Mosque. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yusof Ishak Mosque. Show all posts
Friday, April 14, 2017
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Yusof Ishak Mosque to reach out to non-Muslims
Yusof Ishak Mosque to reach out to non-Muslims
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim (Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs), unveils the design for Yusof Ishak mosque with (centre back) Haji Mohamed Ayub Johari (Chairman of Mosque Building Committee) at An-Nur Mosque on Friday, 22 Aug 2014.
The new Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands will embody the same values that the former president often stressed: racial harmony and multi-culturalism.
Besides serving as a place of worship for the Muslim community, it will also hold programmes that reach out to other communities and enhance understanding and social cohesion.
The proposed design of the mosque in Woodlands Drive 17 was unveiled at a roadshow yesterday at the An-Nur Mosque in Admiralty Road, after its name was first revealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally on Sunday.
Describing Singapore's first head of state as an outstanding member of the pioneer generation, PM Lee said Mr Yusof had been a president for all Singaporeans and stood for enduring values that underpinned Singapore's success: meritocracy, multiracialism and modernisation.
At yesterday's event, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said the mosque will work to carry on this legacy.
"The primary function of a mosque is obviously to serve the needs of a religious community, in this case the Malay-Muslim community. But having named the mosque after him, it's also important that we try and encourage as many programmes as possible to bring non-Muslims closer to the mosque. I'm sure he will want that to happen, because having his name there, it's almost a national institution," he added.
The design of the $15 million mosque, which sits on a 2,500 sq m site and has capacity for 4,200 worshippers, draws inspiration from Mr Yusof's official and private residences and will feature eaves, a verandah and balustrades that are distinctive of a tropical Malay house. It will also have a pitch roof instead of grand domes, an auditorium, a cafe and an IT corner.
Mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, Singapore's highest Islamic authority, added that he hopes the mosque will instil the values that the former president held dear: piousness, community spirit, and the motivation to do better.
"(These are) values significant in the life of Yusof Ishak that need to be developed further and instilled in the hearts and minds of the next generation," he said.
Together with the 4,500-capacity Maarof Mosque in Jurong West that was announced in June, the Yusof Ishak Mosque will ease overcrowding at the An-Nur Mosque, which is currently the only mosque serving Woodlands and Marsiling. Both new mosques are expected be ready in 2016.
Woodlands resident Mohammad Hisham Hairi, 46, said the Yusof Ishak Mosque will be more convenient for him to worship at because it will be closer to home.
The taxi driver, who has lived for 14 years in the area, now alternates between An-Nur and mosques in Sembawang, which he said are packed at peak timings.
"I'm sure more Woodlands residents will go (to the Yusof Ishak Mosque) instead of Sembawang or Marsiling, so there will be less spillover," he said. "It's nice that we've got another place for us to pray and get near to Allah."
yanliang@sph.com.sg
- wong chee tat :)
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim (Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs), unveils the design for Yusof Ishak mosque with (centre back) Haji Mohamed Ayub Johari (Chairman of Mosque Building Committee) at An-Nur Mosque on Friday, 22 Aug 2014.
The new Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands will embody the same values that the former president often stressed: racial harmony and multi-culturalism.
Besides serving as a place of worship for the Muslim community, it will also hold programmes that reach out to other communities and enhance understanding and social cohesion.
The proposed design of the mosque in Woodlands Drive 17 was unveiled at a roadshow yesterday at the An-Nur Mosque in Admiralty Road, after its name was first revealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally on Sunday.
Describing Singapore's first head of state as an outstanding member of the pioneer generation, PM Lee said Mr Yusof had been a president for all Singaporeans and stood for enduring values that underpinned Singapore's success: meritocracy, multiracialism and modernisation.
At yesterday's event, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said the mosque will work to carry on this legacy.
"The primary function of a mosque is obviously to serve the needs of a religious community, in this case the Malay-Muslim community. But having named the mosque after him, it's also important that we try and encourage as many programmes as possible to bring non-Muslims closer to the mosque. I'm sure he will want that to happen, because having his name there, it's almost a national institution," he added.
The design of the $15 million mosque, which sits on a 2,500 sq m site and has capacity for 4,200 worshippers, draws inspiration from Mr Yusof's official and private residences and will feature eaves, a verandah and balustrades that are distinctive of a tropical Malay house. It will also have a pitch roof instead of grand domes, an auditorium, a cafe and an IT corner.
Mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, Singapore's highest Islamic authority, added that he hopes the mosque will instil the values that the former president held dear: piousness, community spirit, and the motivation to do better.
"(These are) values significant in the life of Yusof Ishak that need to be developed further and instilled in the hearts and minds of the next generation," he said.
Together with the 4,500-capacity Maarof Mosque in Jurong West that was announced in June, the Yusof Ishak Mosque will ease overcrowding at the An-Nur Mosque, which is currently the only mosque serving Woodlands and Marsiling. Both new mosques are expected be ready in 2016.
Woodlands resident Mohammad Hisham Hairi, 46, said the Yusof Ishak Mosque will be more convenient for him to worship at because it will be closer to home.
The taxi driver, who has lived for 14 years in the area, now alternates between An-Nur and mosques in Sembawang, which he said are packed at peak timings.
"I'm sure more Woodlands residents will go (to the Yusof Ishak Mosque) instead of Sembawang or Marsiling, so there will be less spillover," he said. "It's nice that we've got another place for us to pray and get near to Allah."
yanliang@sph.com.sg
- wong chee tat :)
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 :)
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 :)
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 :)
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 :)
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