2 days ago
Singapore's Nee Soon mosque reopens on Hari Raya Aidiladha after S$15mil facelift
SINGAPORE: The S$15 million facelift to spruce up Masjid Darul Makmur has not only refreshed an icon in Nee Soon, but the process has also strengthened the local community spirit, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.
At the mosque's reopening on Saturday (June 7) – Hari Raya Aidiladha – Associate Professor Faishal noted that the Muslim community had put up with inconveniences during the two-year renovation, which included having to conduct their religious rites at a temporary site.
Agreeing, Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who was also at the event, said the upgrading involved a lot of logistics, as well as support from the Singapore Land Authority and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).
Prof Faishal said: 'This is the pride of Nee Soon residents, whereby with the strong community spirit, with the right support from grassroots organisations and government agencies, I think we can achieve better,' he said.
Darul Makmur mosque was first opened in 1987. After it closed in April 2023 for upgrading, the former North View Secondary School in Yishun Ring Road was designated as a temporary prayer site for congregants.
The completion of upgrading works means the mosque can now accommodate 4,000 worshippers, up from 3,000 previously. Barrier-free access with ramps, as well as a new lift, were also added.
Speaking to the media after Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers, Prof Faishal urged the Malay/Muslim community here to continue to feel blessed in Singapore, where there is harmony and they can perform their religious rites with peace of mind anywhere in the country.
'This is something not available in many parts of the world,' said Prof Faishal, who was an MP in Nee Soon from 2011 to 2025. He was fielded in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC at the recent general election, which the PAP retained in a walkover.
Echoing a sermon delivered earlier by Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, he also urged the community to have the notion of gratitude, and to continue playing its part in Singapore's quest to develop as a nation.
As part of Singapore's humanitarian efforts for Gaza, more than 10 tonnes of korban meat will be channelled to Palestinians there, said Prof Faishal.
(From left) Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi; Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim; executive chairman of Masjid Darul Makmur Mohd Fairus Abdul Manaf; and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam greet a congregant after Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers. - Photo: ST
Meanwhile, the meat that will be sent to Singapore will be distributed to the less privileged in the community, including zakat beneficiaries, families of incarcerated individuals and migrant transient workers.
Korban refers to the Islamic ritual of slaughtering farm animals such as sheep and lambs, followed by the distribution of the meat to worshippers and the needy.
Prof Faishal noted that this year's Hari Raya Haji korban had 5,700 orders for overseas livestock on SalamSG, a platform for key mosque programmes. This is about a 20 per cent increase from 2024.
The livestock will be slaughtered in Australia before the meat is chilled, packed and sent to Singapore – an arrangement that began in 2020 due to the pandemic.
At the event, Prof Faishal also gave an update on Singaporean pilgrims in Mecca. He said all of them are doing well amid the intense heatwave.
'I urge them to keep looking out for one another. I also urge them to look at their health, and also ensure that they drink lots of water and also (have a) good rest,' he said.
Temperatures in Mecca exceeded 40 deg C this week as more than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city for the annual haj.
In 2024, at least 1,300 pilgrims died after temperatures soared to 51.8 deg C.
'We pray that they continue to remain safe and able to do their religious deeds... I look forward to welcoming them when they come back,' said Prof Faishal.
Besides Prof Faishal and Dr Syed Harun, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam also attended the mosque's reopening. - The Straits Times/ANN
