Inside Singapore's $18 million mosque named after first president Yusof Ishak
Singapore has seen a number of new mosques in recent years, some boasting spacious prayer areas and impressive architecture that marries contemporary designs and traditional mosque characteristics.
Ahead of Hari Raya Haji on Friday (1 Sept), Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore took a look at the Yusof Ishak mosque, which is one of the latest in Singapore and located at 10 Woodlands Drive 17.
Named after Singapore’s first president, the $18 million mosque officially opened in April this year, about four years after the name was revealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a National Day Rally speech. The mosque features ample prayer spaces, seminar rooms, a conference room, a function room, a roof terrace, as well as an orchid sanctuary.
According to a press release, the mosque can accommodate up to 4,500 congregants. As a tribute to Singapore’s first president, visitors can also check out a heritage site dedicated to the late Yusof Ishak, located on the fifth floor. Here, visitors can learn more about his life and contributions to the country.
The interior design of the mosque is awe-inspiring as it blends traditional mosque characteristics, Nusantara elements and contemporary touches. The mimba, which is where the imam sits while giving his sermons, is made of teak wood and has intricate floral carvings, including shapes of four different types of orchids – oncidium, cattleya, paphiopedilum and the vanda miss joaquim, Singapore’s national flower.
Another unique design feature is the stained glass panel, where one can see geometric art patterns inspired by traditional Batik and Islamic designs. Lastly, some of the plants that can be found at the mosque are donated by Noor Aishah, the widow of the late president. These include Chinese evergreen plants and the portulaca grandiflora.
The $18 million total cost of building the Yusof Ishak mosque came from the Mosque Building and Mendaki fund.
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