Surau Al-Firdaus

Surau Al-Firdaus
The surau as pictured in 2026 during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
Shown within Singapore
General information
StatusActive
TypeSurau, Musalla
Architectural styleMalay architecture
ClassificationIslamic place for prayers
Location23E Lorong Buangkok, Singapore 547578, Hougang, Singapore
Coordinates1°23′03″N 103°52′43″E / 1.384096°N 103.878673°E / 1.384096; 103.878673

Surau Al-Firdaus is a surau located in Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last surviving village in Singapore. It was originally built in 1953 to serve the Muslim villagers of Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Rebuilt twice in 1967 then 1999, the surau can accommodate up to 80 worshippers during both daily and festive prayers.

Background

Main article: Surau

A surau is a house of assembly, with typical functions similar to a mosque, but is smaller than one. The concept of surau originated in Minangkabau, originally as a small temple for ancestor worship and fraternities, until the introduction of Islam when the purpose of a surau was changed into a place for Muslims to pray their five daily prayers.[1][2] The major difference between a mosque and a surau is that a mosque comes under an awqaf (permanent endowment), unlike a surau.[3][4] In modern times, especially in Singapore, most suraus have been converted into full-fledged mosques, a notable example being Masjid Hang Jebat.[5]

History

The original surau was built in 1953.[6][7][8] With the help of donations gathered in the 1960s, the surau was rebuilt in 1967.[9][10] Starting in 1981, the surau became a place for festive prayers, including the prayers on the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.[6][11] The surau was later rebuilt in 1999 to accommodate more worshippers.[9] By 2004, the surau had become a popular destination for worship by both the villagers and Singaporeans who lived in modern housing estates.[9][12]

In 2018, Surau Al-Firdaus was extensively renovated, giving the surau a new exterior facade and as well as a larger prayer hall with a capacity increased to 80 worshippers.[6] During the COVID-19 pandemic, all mosques nationwide were closed down, while Surau Al-Firdaus still remained opened for worshippers to perform their daily prayers as well as Tarawih.[13] The surau was later listed as a visitable heritage site during a Malay heritage tour in December 2020 and hosted a Jawi calligraphy workshop where participants could create their own Jawi calligraphic art pieces.[7][14]

Architecture

Surau Al-Firdaus is built in a style that is uniform to the other houses in the village.[15] It has a slanted zinc roof that is specifically shaped to prevent rainwater from building up.[9] The present building is made of concrete and it can accommodate up to 80 worshippers especially during festive prayers.[6]

  • The main entrance to the surau.
  • Arabic calligraphies can be seen at the rear exit of the surau.
  • The area for worshippers to take their ablution before prayers.
  • The interior of the surau, with mihrab visible.
  • Meals packed for Iftar at the surau.
  • The kentong (slit drum) that was formerly used to call villagers to prayer.
  • A decorative painted ornament inside the surau.
  • A space for worshippers to catch up with the tarawih prayers when the surau is full.
  • The surau in an older colour scheme.

Transportation

Surau Al-Firdaus is located in the Kampong Lorong Buangkok village which can be accessed by bus service 114 from the Buangkok Bus Interchange.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Fikri, Zainal A. (December 2012). "Sistem Pendidikan Surau: Karakteristic, Isi dan Literatur Keagamaan" [Surau Education System: Characteristics, Content and Religious Literature]. At-Ta'dib (in Indonesian). 17 (2): 255–263.
  2. ^ Kern, R. A. (1956). "The origin of the Malay Surau". Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 29 (1 (173)): 179–181. ISSN 2304-7550. JSTOR 41503204.
  3. ^ "Understanding the Definition of Mosque and Surau or Musolla, and the Rulings Concerning the Status of Surau or Musolla Areas as Mosques". International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science: 3333–3340. 12 August 2025 – via IJRISS.
  4. ^ "Mosque and Surau: Any Difference? - Fiqh". IslamOnline. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Hang Jebat Mosque". www.roots.gov.sg. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Hamid, Ummu Rabbisyfina Abdul (15 June 2018). "Surau Lorong Buangkok berwajah baru, sudah rancak bersiap untuk Ramadan" [Lorong Buangkok Surau has a new look, already busy preparing for Ramadan]. BERITA Mediacorp (in Malay). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  7. ^ a b Irwan, Hakim. "Guna baucar teroka semula masjid lama dan warisan masyarakat Melayu dan Islam" [Use vouchers to rediscover old mosques and the heritage of the Malay and Islamic communities]. BERITA Mediacorp (in Malay). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  8. ^ Safutra, Ilham (14 June 2018). "Lorong Buangkok, Perkampungan Melayu yang Masih Tersisa di Singapura" [Lorong Buangkok, the Remaining Malay Village in Singapore]. Jawa Post (in in). Retrieved 11 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  9. ^ a b c d "Surau Al-Firdaus Lorong Buangkok". Roots, National Heritage Board. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  10. ^ Anuar, Nur Hazimah (13 September 2022). "Harapan cucu pengasas Surau Kampung Lorong Buangkok agar ia dapat dikekalkan" [Grandson of founder of Kampung Lorong Buangkok Surau hopes it can be maintained]. BERITA Mediacorp (in Malay). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Breaking fast together in the kampung". The New Paper. 10 June 2017. p. 9.
  12. ^ "Bantu penduduk hadapi bah" [Help the residents cope with the flood]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 4 October 2004. p. 3.
  13. ^ Agost, Nurulkhasanah (20 March 2020). "Masjid persendirian, MMO turut tiadakan solat Jumaat" [Private mosques, MMO also cancel Friday prayers]. BERITA Mediacorp (in Malay). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Peluang hargai sejarah, tempat ibadah setempat" [Opportunity to appreciate history, local places of worship]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 20 December 2020. p. 4.
  15. ^ Dahlan, Ahmad; Faozan, Akhmad; Schemas, Alfalisyado; Aprianto, Naerul Edwin Kiky; Voak, Adam (7 May 2024). "Social Cohesion of Kampong Lorong Buangkok: Community Amidst Singaporean Industrialization". International Journal of Religion. 5 (7): 237–247. doi:10.61707/22xy3c45. ISSN 2633-3538.
  16. ^ "Kampong Lorong Buangkok (Semi Detached House) - 19C Lorong Buang Kok (S)547570". www.streetdirectory.com. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
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