“A Community for the Mosque. A Mosque for the Community.” That’s the motto of An-Nur Mosque. Today we explore the vibrant An-Nur Mosque. It is a landmark in Woodlands.
An-Nur Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque of Singapore. It stands as a testament to the Woodlands Muslim community’s vision. It is a vibrant mosque with strong outreach programs.
Back in the day Woodlands was made up of small kampongs. The Muslim community lacked a central mosque. They relied on small suraus. The nearest mosque was in Sembawang. Larger congregations had to cross the Straits of Johor. They went to the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque.
In 1961 the first Mosque Building Committee was formed. The Registry of Society approved the building activities in 1964. The Woodlands Muslim community worked hard to make their dream a reality. On April 20 1980 An-Nur Mosque opened. Abdul Rahim Ishak officiated the opening. He was the Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The mosque cost about $2.1 million. This included interior furnishings.
Originally the plan was to build a modest kampong mosque. It would have a budget of about $25000. It would be a mix of concrete and wooden structures. Instead it became a sprawling 4-storey blue-tiled structure. It had one of the highest minarets in Singapore.
The growing population made the mosque a focal point. It became a social educational and communal center. The facilities could no longer support the demands. In the late 1990s the management board developed an upgrading plan. MUIS firmed up the plans.
Fundraising began in 2008. Major upgrades took place between 2011 and 2013. Daily mosque operations continued in a temporary mosque. It resided between the Marsiling Community Centre and An-Nur Mosque.
In 2013 the Muslim community celebrated the reopening of An-Nur Mosque. A new floor was added. The mosque became 5-storeys high. It included elevator facilities. There were bigger prayer halls. There were also added facilities. Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim reopened An-Nur Mosque. It was on Friday May 31 2013. The cost of the upgrade was $7.2 million. This excluded interior furnishings.
The mosque can now accommodate up to 6000 worshippers. It used to hold 3500 people. The mosque maintains its unique features. These include its iconic blue facades and tall blue minaret.
The mosque has new features to accommodate the elderly. Ramps a lift and toilets for the handicapped were added. The main prayer hall has no stairs. Pre-school and Alive madrasah classes were refurbished. This promoted better access to teaching and learning facilities.
An-Nur Mosque continues to be an important landmark. It lives up to its motto. It is known for its strong outreach programs. The mosque networks with Malay/Muslim institutions. It also works with Non-Malay/Muslim organizations and government agencies. In 2008/2009 An-Nur Mosque received Distinction Awards from MUIS. It was recognized as a Community and Youth-Friendly Mosque.
Congregants are the essence of the mosque’s light. Creative programs attract different groups. An-Nur Mosque welcomes people from all walks of life. With community support An-Nur Mosque gives back. This partnership grows stronger each year. It narrows gaps and strengthens bonds.