Masjid Hajjah Fatimah in Singapore

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  Mayur Panchamia

  :: 25 April 2018 22:57:04

  One of the oldest mosques in Singapore, Hajjah Fatimah Mosque is a rare example of one named after a woman. Its unique architecture stands out from other mosques in Singapore, especially with its distinctively European-looking minaret. Formerly known as the Java Road Mosque after a former road, the mosque was commissioned by its namesake, Hajjah Fatimah, in 1845. Born to a wealthy Malaccan family, Hajjah Fatimah was married a Bugis merchant of princely stock from the Celebes (present-day Sulawesi in Indonesia) who ran a trading post in Singapore. He died soon after, leaving the young widow to manage his business. She proved quite adept at commerce, and amassed a considerable fortune in the years that followed. Before the mosque was built, her family residence occupied the site. Burglars broke into her home twice, and it was even set ablaze on the second occasion. Hajjah Fatimah was away at the time, and was unharmed by the incident. She attributed her good fortune to divine intervention, and donated the land for a mosque. Her house was rebuilt nearby. Designed by an unknown English architect, the mosque’s architecture is an intriguing combination of European, Malay, and Mughal features. Its most distinct feature is the minaret, which resembles the neoclassical steeple of the first St Andrew’s Church in Singapore (since replaced by the present St Andrew’s Cathedral). A large, golden dome crowns the main prayer hall, and the roof perimeters are lined with merlon cresting, broken by miniature cupolas at regular intervals. Its ablution area features traditional Malay woodcarvings. Other European elements include pilasters with Doric capitals on the minaret and the neo-Gothic lancet-shaped doorways, bays, and windows. The mosque contains a mausoleum, which stands directly behind the mihrab (a niche in the mosque’s wall indicating the direction to Mecca). It contains three tombs in traditional Islamic style, which hold the remains of Hajjah Fatimah; her only child, Raja Siti; and her son-in-law, Syed Ahmed Alsagoff. A small cemetery outside the mausoleum is reserved for her family members. Over the years, the minaret has started to tilt toward the dome at about six degrees off centre, mainly due to its sandy foundation. Preservation work has stopped further tilting, but the inclination remains visible today, much to the delight of locals, who have dubbed it as Singapore’s version of the ‘leaning tower’. Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. Neo-Mughal, or Indo-Saracenic, architecture represents a synthesis of Mughal architectural elements and the Gothic Revival and Neoclassical styles popular in Victorian Britain. It was developed by British architects during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ostensibly to usher in the new era of the British Raj. As historian Thomas R. Metcalf writes: “In the public buildings put up by the Raj it was essential always to make visible Britain’s imperial position as ruler, for these structures were charged with the explicit purpose of representing empire itself. Since they wanted to legitimize their rule, they decided to justify their presence by relating themselves to the previous rulers, the Mughals.” This architectural style also found its way to other British colonies, such as Singapore via British architects and engineers, who had been influenced by the new buildings in the British Raj. This style had been favoured for Muslim religious buildings, as the British did not feel the need to adhere precisely to the traditional culture of the predominant Muslim group, the Malays, who had not built structures on such a grand scale before.

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  Zuhairi Zulkifli

  :: 24 January 2018 23:42:24

  Simple design mosque with nice ambience. Very near to Golden Mile Complex.

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  Mohsin Hasan Mumtaz

  :: 12 December 2017 04:20:09

  Big and beautifully constructed masjid near the Arab street area and near famous Sultan Masjid. Food is also served on specific days. Ladies prayer hall is also seperated. If you visit any masjid, please donate generously for the development and to run the expenses. It's sadqa e jariah (on going charity) even after death.

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  Azy Fabrics

  :: 07 December 2017 01:20:27

  a very nice mosque. i was living in this neighborhood for 3 years. polite imam. weekly activities like gust, rice distribution to needies, monthly tamil bayan (this is one of the places where tamil bayans happens in singapore)

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  Shafie Mukhre

  :: 03 November 2017 06:13:03

  Nice people, open early in the morning. Suitable for Malaysian who arrived in the early morning by bus near golden mile tower around 4AM