Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka
Religion
AffiliationSunni Islam
Location
Location10 Keng Cheow Street, Singapore 059607
CountrySingapore
Location in Singapore
Coordinates1°17′16″N 103°50′39″E / 1.2877787°N 103.8442688°E / 1.2877787; 103.8442688
Architecture
TypeMosque
StyleMalay architecture
FounderSyed Omar Aljunied
Established1820
Completed1820
1985 (Reconstruction)
Minaret1
Designated as NHL
Designated11 November 2001 (11 November 2001)
Reference no.59

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka (Jawi: مسجد عمر كامبونغ ميلاكا) is a historic mosque located along Keng Cheow Street and off Havelock Road in Chinatown, Singapore. Built in 1820 by Syed Omar Aljunied, it holds historical significance as the very first mosque to be established in the country, predating even Masjid Sultan. It is a national heritage monument of Singapore, holding 59th place in the overall registry.[1]

History

The mosque was originally a timber structure built by Syed Omar Aljunied in 1820. It served as a meeting place for the local Muslim communities in the area, which included Arabs, Malays, and Jawi Peranakans.[2][3][4] The wooden mosque was demolished and then completely rebuilt from the ground up as a brick structure in 1855 with funding from a heir of Syed Omar Aljunied.[2][5] The mosque underwent several renovations throughout the early 1980s which saw an expansion of the main prayer hall and the addition of an administration building for mosque personnel and volunteers.[2][6][7] The minaret of the mosque was only added in 1985 after previous renovations had been completed.[2][6] Later in 2009, the mosque received an extensive upgrade which replaced the roof of the mosque as well as the introduction of a madrasah annex and a new prayer hall for female worshippers.[2][7]

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka was gazetted as the national monument on the 11th of November 2001 by the National Heritage Board, holding the 59th place in the list.[2][3][4] It is one of five national monuments of Singapore that are mosques, the other being Masjid Sultan, Masjid Hajjah Fatimah, Masjid Al-Abrar, Masjid Abdul Gaffoor, Masjid Jamae Chulia, and the most recent addition to this list being Masjid Alkaff Upper Serangoon.[8][9]

Significance

The mosque holds historical significance as being the first ever mosque to be built in Singapore that still survives to this very day.[2][3][4][6] This is followed by Masjid Sultan of Kampong Glam; built in 1826, which is subsequently followed by Masjid Hajjah Fatimah; built in 1845. Aside for being significant due to its position as being the first mosque in Singapore, it is also regarded as a landmark of the Aljunied family, whom the founder of the mosque belonged to.[2][10] Several members of the Aljunied family, including the founder himself, are buried right outside the mosque at a corner of the courtyard in a private cemetery.[10][11]

General views

  • The mosque as seen from across Keng Cheow Street.
  • The main building of the mosque during Ramadan.
  • Back entrance of the mosque that faces industrial buildings along New Market Road.

Minaret

  • The minaret in 2006.
  • The minaret in 2025, with the yellow colours more prominent.

Interior

  • Main prayer hall of the mosque.
  • The minbar of the mosque where the khatib stands on to give to Friday sermon.
  • Facade of the interior with three entrances to the main prayer hall.
  • Signboard showing history of the mosque.

Miscellaneous

  • The burial ground of the Aljunied family, located in a corner of the courtyard outside the mosque.
  • The tomb of Syed Omar Aljunied and his ancestor, Syed Haroon.
  • A tomb belonging to an unidentified personage.

Transportation

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka is within walking distance from the Clarke Quay MRT station.[12] Bus services 51, 143 and 186 also lead to the condominium complex that is located opposite the mosque and connect it to the neighborhoods of Hougang, Jurong East and Shenton Way. The mosque is also located off Havelock Road and hence is adjacent to the Furama City Centre which can be accessed from the Downtown Line exit of Chinatown MRT station.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, Civic District Heritage Trail". Roots, National Heritage Board. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h A Reverent Journey: Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka (1st ed.). Singapore: OPUS Editorial Pte Ltd. 2022. ISBN 9789811483660.
  3. ^ a b c "Mosque Built in 1820 Now a Historic Site". Today Newspaper. 12 November 2001. p. 8.
  4. ^ a b c Arshad, Arlina (12 November 2001). "181-Year-Old Mosque Marked as Historic Site". The Straits Times. p. 4.
  5. ^ Singapore Lifeline: The River and Its People. Singapore: Times Book International. 1986. pp. 33–34.
  6. ^ a b c Edwards, Norman; Keys, Peter (1988). Singapore: A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places. Times Book International. pp. 400–401.
  7. ^ a b "Upgrading for the oldest mosque here". The Straits Times. 30 May 2009. p. 47.
  8. ^ Zaccheus, Melody (7 April 2018). Monumental Treasures: Singapore's Heritage Icons (1st ed.). Singapore: Straits Times Press.
  9. ^ Liu, Gretchen (1996). In Granite and Chunam: The National Monuments of Singapore (1st ed.). Singapore: Landmark Books. ISBN 9789813065031.
  10. ^ a b Azman, Nurfazirah. "Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka lancarkan Papan Maklumat Maqam Keluarga Aljunied" [Omar Kampong Melaka Mosque launches Aljunied Family Maqam Information Board]. BERITA Mediacorp (in Malay). Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  11. ^ Suk-Wai, Cheong (24 September 2015). "Arab trader's role in Singapore landmark". The Straits Times.
  12. ^ a b "Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka (Mosque) - 10 Keng Cheow Street (S)059607". www.streetdirectory.com. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
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