Al-Abrar Mosque

Al-Abrar Mosque

Al-Abrar Mosque is also known as the Masjid Chulia or Chulia Mosque, as it was built by the donations of the Chulias and the Tamil Muslims of Indian origin. The mosque was established in the year 1827 and is situated at 192 Telok Ayer Street, in the renowned Chinatown area of Singapore. The structure of the mosque that you can see today was constructed between the years 1850 to 1855 and was declared a National Monument on 19th November 1974.

History

Since the year 1822, the Chulias, Tamil Muslims from the coastal areas of South India were among the earliest immigrants of Singapore. These immigrants lived and earned their livelihood around the Singapore River and have their residence established in the Telok Ayer Street area. The earlier simple structure of the Al-Abrar Mosque was established in 1827, hence giving rise to its Tamil name, Kuchu Palli. The word ‘Kuchu’ means hut and the word ‘Palli’ means mosque. The mosque also has a malay name attached to it as Masjid Chulia or Chulia Mosque.

The structure of the mosque that you can see at this place was structured between the years 1850 to 1855. The monument was structured on the land that was originally granted on lease for about 999 years to a trustee for the Tamil Muslim community, Hadjee Puckery Mohamed Khatib bin Shaik Mydinas. Later on 21st November 1910, the court appointed new trustees to look after the management of the mosque, namely K. Mohamed Eusope, Thambyappa Rarooter, S. Kanisah Maricayar, V. M. Kader Bux and J. Sultan Abdul Kader. These men were also appointed as trustees to the Nagore Durgha Shrine, which lies on the same street of the mosque.

The mosque under minor renovation during the 1980s and additional alterations were also made to it between the years 1986 to 1989. Haji Mohamed Yusoff Hameed, a volunteer as well as the secretary of the mosque since 1974, was the chief person behind the development of the mosque.

Features

Al-Abrar Mosque is structured facing Mecca, over an area of about 448.7 sq. m. The entire building of the mosque has been kept in a simple manner. The architectural style of the monument is of Islamic style and is much similar to that of Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam.

Before the mosque was a single storey building, the second storey to this monument was added to it during the renovations from 1986 to 1989. During this period of renovation, the prayer hall of the mosque was enlarged and an upper gallery was added to the enclosed courtyard. While the outer walls of the monument have been kept simple, the interior features include French windows which are topped with fanlights and colored glass.

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The mihrab of mosque was also enlarged during the renovation and the inscription above it was taken from Surah Al-Fatehah of the Holy Koran.

As of now, the renovations made to the mosque have increased the capacity of this place, which has risen to 900 people to its earlier 500 people. Contrasting to other neighboring masjids, which spring to life in the evening, this mosque remains relatively calm except for its occasional Tafsir Al-Quran, the Al-Quran interpretation courses.

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