Did you know the Surau Bulatan Kg Melayu Majidee started as a Madrasah Al-Quran in 1975? It wasn’t always called Surau Bulatan. The original Madrasah Al-Quran was a humble structure. It cost only RM 30000. This was money donated by the local community. The building was semi-permanent. Its walls were made of blocks. They were only three feet high. The rest was wood. It could only hold about 120 people.
In 1980 the committee decided to change its name. They chose Madrasah Bulatan. This was a more accurate name. The building was located at the junction of five roads. These roads are Jalan Kenangan Jalan Saudara Jalan Satu Jalan Sahabat and Jalan Afiat. By 1985 the focus had shifted to congregational prayers. The name was changed again to Surau Bulatan.
The Surau Bulatan wasn’t large enough. In 1980 they rebuilt it. They raised more money but it wasn’t enough. The Johor Religious Department stepped in. They fully funded the rebuilding. The new building could hold approximately 200 people. Even this wasn’t big enough. By 1990 the congregation had grown. They needed more space for events. They particularly needed more room during Ramadan. They added extensions on either side. This unfortunately blocked the airflow.
By July 2000 the committee knew they needed a bigger Surau Bulatan. They wanted a more comfortable and safer building. An architect drew up plans. The estimated cost was RM 900000. They managed to raise RM 581000 in donations. They also received RM 50000 from the Prime Minister’s Department. Construction started in May 2004. A temporary tent was erected while the work was carried out. By September 2005 the building was finished. The large dome and four smaller domes couldn’t be added yet. Funding from the Johor Religious Department was still pending. Finally in January 2006 the current Surau Bulatan was ready. The total cost came to RM 825000.
On March 9 2011 the Surau Bulatan received good news. The Johor Mufti issued a fatwa. The Surau Bulatan was allowed to hold Friday prayers. This was a significant step. This is how Surau Bulatan became Surau Jumaat Bulatan. The first Friday sermon was given on March 25 2011. The first Khatib was Hj Makhadzir bin Abdan al-Hafiz. He is the Head of Islamic Affairs at the Johor Bahru District Kadi’s Office. After 40 years of humble beginnings and many expansions the Surau Bulatan finally achieved its current form. And its story continues.