Mosques, or masjids, are a common sight in Singapore. Besides having prayer halls, it’s an important part of the Muslim community, hosting religious classes and various events. However, you don’t have to be Muslim to enter a mosque in Singapore, either, as long as you adhere to the rules and etiquette.
There are many unique designs, often borrowing elements from various cultures and putting their unique spin on them. From the majestic golden domes of Sultan Mosque to the unique Indo-Saracenic style of Masjid Abdul Gafoor, we’ve curated a list of the most beautiful mosques in Singapore.
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Friday, especially around 12.30pm and 2.15pm, is when the mosques in Singapore are most crowded. If you’re just visiting, you should also avoid prayer times in Singapore, which you can check on MUIS’ website.
There’s also a strict dress code to follow. Like any other place of worship, avoid going in shorts, t-shirts, or revealing clothes. You can check or call in advance to see if the mosque provides cloaks or scarves to cover up. Popular tourist spots like Sultan Mosque, for example, provide cloaks free-of-charge. You should also remove your footwear before entering.
When visiting, practise proper etiquette and conduct by not entering the main prayer halls and limit your movements to the hallways and perimeter. You should also keep noise levels to a minimum. And it goes without saying, but you shouldn’t be taking selfies or wefies with the prayer hall as a backdrop.
In the heart of Arab Street is Masjid Sultan; Singapore’s most famous mosque. Dominated by its iconic golden onion-shaped domes, the mosque symbolises royalty as it was built for Sultan Hussein Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore. It has a rich history dating back to our colonial era, when Sir Stamford Raffles contributed $3,000 to the construction of the mosque in 1819.
The interior of the mosque is big and grand as expected, with the ability to accommodate 5,000 worshippers during busy periods such as the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan.
What’s unexpected is that the interior of one of the domes contains a mausoleum, which contains the tomb of Sultan Hussein’s grandson. Another interesting architectural feature is the base of the domes, which were made from glass bottles donated by low-income Muslim families to show that everyone has a role to play no matter their standing.
Visit Sultan Mosque as part of a private Full Day Singapore Highlights Tour.
Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm | Sat 9am-1pm (Closed to visitors on Sundays & public holidays, as well as prayer times)
Contact: 6293 4405 | Masjid Sultan website
Image credit: @banbi6469 via Instagram
At Dunlop Street in Little India, Masjid Abdul Gafoor stands out. It was constructed for Tamil and Baweanese migrants more than 100 years ago, making it one of the oldest mosques in Singapore. This mosque boasts an Indo-Saracenic style, a mixture of Indian and Islamic architecture that emerged in the 19th century. It’s also been gazetted as a National Monument.
Image credit: @_yansonban & amin_1975 via Instagram
Architecture buffs will love the Moorish elements present – featuring horseshoe arches, zellij tiles polished with geometric patterns, and a front porch. Speaking of, the front entrance of the mosque is adorned with striking sunburst calligraphy which lists the 25 prominent prophets of Islam.
Address: 41 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209369
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 5.30am-7am & 12pm-9pm
Contact: 6295 4209 | info@abdgafoor.mosque.org.sg
Image credit: @oom_tommy via Instagram
Masjid Assyafaah boasts a modern contemporary design meant to align with the current times. Its open and non-traditional design encourages non-Muslims to visit to learn more about Islam. The mosque also won an International Architecture Award in 2004, the same year it was built.
Image credit: Seek Al Fozan
The traditional minaret, arch, dome and arabesque patterns typically seen in mosques in Singapore have been deliberately changed to minimalistic, contemporary versions. The decorative arabesque pattern also functions as natural ventilation for the prayer hall during Friday prayers which occurs during lunch hour. And we all know Singapore’s weather has been very hot lately.
Image credit: @forumarchitects via Instagram
Address: 1 Admiralty Lane Singapore 757620
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | Sat-Sun 9am-2pm
Contact: 6756 3008 | Masjid Assyafaah Website
Masjid Jamae perfectly represents Singapore’s bustling melting pot. Where else can you find a mosque catered to Indian Muslims in the middle of Chinatown beside a Hindu temple? It also boasts an interesting history, having been built by the Chulias, a group of migrants from the Coromandel Coast of Southern India.
Image credit: @king_dmy via Instagram
South Indian architecture can be seen outside, with its twin minarets resembling the Nagore Shrine. The interior is furnished with green porcelain tiles representing the Chinese influence and supported by Tuscan columns showing some European influences. It’s also one of the few mosques to provide religious classes in Tamil.
You may notice that green is a prominent theme here and this was deliberately done because it was Prophet Muhammad’s favourite colour. There’s also a nearly 200-year-old tomb of the then-local Tamil Muslim religious leader Muhammad Salih Valiullah, an important figure in the mosque’s history.
Address: 218, South Bridge Road, Singapore 058767
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 1pm-9pm
Contact: 6221 4165 | Masjid Jamae Website
Masjid Ar Raudhah has a unique zig-zag design with its intricately woven cubes. These cubes form a shape that points towards the kiblat, or direction of prayer. Its white tones and clean aesthetic also exude a serene vibe.
Besides being a place for prayers, Masjid Ar Raudhah has programmes that encourage upskilling amongst the Muslim community. It’s the pioneer mosque in Singapore to offer computer skill classes and facilities. There’s also a unique programme Under the Sky—where they help troubled youth outdoors and encourage them to give back to the community.
Address: 30 Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, Singapore 659919
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8.30am-6pm | Fri-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm | Sun 8.30am-6pm
Contact: 6899 5840 | Masjid Ar Raudhah website
Masjid Al-Islah’ has a unique open concept which is demonstrated by its large arched doorways and a light colour palette that is soothing to the eyes. Inspired by Arabic architecture, this design is meant to reignite the kampung spirit within the community today and have an “inviting feeling” – which is why this mosque has very few walls.
The beige walls serve more than just aesthetic purposes, it also helps to cool the place down in a dense neighbourhood like Punggol. The high ceilings, reminiscent of buildings in Morocco, also helps ventilate the mosque when it’s jam-packed with up to 4,500 worshippers during Friday prayers.
Address: 30 Punggol Field, Singapore 828812
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm | Sun 9am-3pm
Contact: 6312 4205| Masjid Al-Islah Website
More than 8,500km away from Singapore, the 406-year-old Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Turkey inspired the design of Masjid Al-Istighfar in Pasir Ris. If you want to get those Mediterranean feels, come see the famous blue dome that has been altered to be darker. It is also one of the only mosques in Singapore that are open 24/7.
There are benches and water coolers for public use just outside the mosque. This showcases its open culture of welcoming people from all religions and walks of life to use its facilities.
Address: 2 Pasir Ris Walk, Singapore 518239
Opening hours: 5am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6426 7130 | Masjid Al-Istighfar website
Masjid Maroof was named after one of Singapore’s oldest mosques that served Muslims living and working in Kampong Jawa and Beach Road in the 19th century. With its grand interior and curved design, you won’t be faulted if you think you’ve stepped into an Islamic university. Its gold colour scheme also looks stunning at night.
The mosque offers various programmes, such as a one-to-one learning of the al-Quran and an Islamic learning programme specially tailored for adults. If you’re feeling patriotic, you can show your support by buying their merch. They sell items ranging from face masks to even a personalised Masjid Maroof Nets flash pay card.
Address: 20 Jurong West Street 26, Singapore 648125
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-6pm | Fri 9am-12pm | Sat-Sun 10am-2pm
Contact: 6515 5033 | Masjid Maroof Website
Ever wondered how Singapore’s first-ever president lived? Masjid Yusoff Ishak was modelled after President Yusoff Isyak’s residence, an homage to SG’s pioneer president. Opened by his widow Madam Noor Aishah in 2017, there’s a heritage wall on the 5th floor preaching his leadership values.
One of the late president’s values was progressiveness whilst being rooted in one’s tradition, something that’s showcased here. It was designed with Nusantara architecture with features like verandas, handrails, and ventilation panels decorated with Arabic calligraphy, making it functional and aesthetic for today.
Address: 10 Woodlands Drive 17 Singapore 737740
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 5am-7am, 12pm-9pm
Contact: 6893 0093 | Masjid Yusoff Ishak
Masjid Darussalam is a 15-minute walk from Clementi MRT station. This mosque is known for its huge geometric dome structure that may give you PSLE Maths flashbacks. The interior, however, is adorned with artistic Arabic calligraphy that is more common in Middle Eastern countries. You’ll also find 2 antique grandfather clocks in the prayer hall, which adds more character and charm.
The 2-storey mosque cost $3.2 million to build, making it one of the more expensive mosques in Singapore.
Address: 3002 Commonwealth Avenue West, Singapore 129579
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5.15am-9.30pm | Sat-Sun 5.15am-9.30pm
Contact: 6777 0028 | Masjid Darussalam
Masjid Darul Aman is the only one on this list that was built by the Housing Development Board (HDB). Yup, you read that right. Due to the rapid urbanisation and scarce land, HDB realised that it would be more practical for mosques to be built in public housing estates instead of having them scattered around. Hence, HDB built this mosque to serve the needs of the Muslim community living in the Eunos and Geylang area.
A noticeable shift away from the onion shaped domes, Masjid Darul Aman’s pitched roofs mimic kampung houses. As Muslim residents were still grasping with the evolution from Kampung to HDB, Masjid Darul Aman provides a familiar taste of their past homes. It was also nominated for the Aga Khan award in 1989.
Address: 1 Jalan Eunos, Singapore 419493
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm | Sat 9am-1pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 6744 5544 | Masjid Darul Aman
The design of Masjid Khadijah was inspired by Masjid An-Nabawi, the second-holiest Islamic site in the world after the Great Mosque of Mecca, as well as the Nagore Shrine in Ajmeer, India. It’s also one of 2 mosques on this list to be named after a benefactress.
Image credit: @komarjohari via Instagram
In 1915, Madam Khadijah Binte Mohamed made the first donation of $50,000 for the mosque’s construction. This act is called a wakaf, when someone donates their cash or property for religious causes. The second floor of the mosque houses the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), an institution that corrects the extremist ideologies of Islam.
Address: 583 Geylang Road, Singapore 389522|
Opening hours: 24/7 (Closed for morning prayers around 5.30am)
Contact: 6747 5607 | Masjid Khadijah website
“Is it just me or is the tower leaning a bit” No, it’s not just you, the tower with Masjid Hajjah Fatimah’s minaret is in fact leaning 6 degrees off. This happened because of the oil seepage where it was built. The minaret also closely resembles a church spire, similar to Saint Andrew’s Cathedral. In fact, it’s rumoured that the mosque was designed by John Turnbull Thompson, the same designer behind the cathedral.
This was the first-ever local mosque to be named after a benefactress, Madam Hajjah Fatimah, a wealthy merchant from Malacca. It was built on the site of her former home, which was invaded once, and burnt to ashes the second time when she wasn’t home. As a sign of gratitude for surviving the ordeal, she got a mosque to be built on the site of her old house. There is a mausoleum housing her and her family’s remains.
Address: 4001 Beach Road, Singapore 199584
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9am-9pm
Contact: 6297 2774 | Masjid Hajjah Fatimah Website
Image credit: Eimbrunt Rashid via Facebook
Yes, this chimney-like building is actually a mosque. Inspired by Sumatran Minang architecture, the mosque is dominated by its red-brownish bricks, showcasing the community values of the Minang people. After the closure of the former Radin Mas Mosque, Masjid Al-Amin was built to accommodate the needs of the community.
Address: 50 Telok Blangah Way, Singapore 098801
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm | Sat-Sun 9am-1pm
Contact: 6272 5309 | Masjid Al-Amin
Masjid Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim is located just a 6-minute walk away from Marang Cemetery. While it’s in Singapore, it belongs to our neighbours the Johor Sultanate. In fact, this used to be their royal residence during the pre-colonial era.
Situated beside the mosque is a site “Makam Diraja Johor Telok Blangah”, a royal mausoleum where high-ranking officials were buried 100-200 years ago, and the sultan of Johor visits it yearly. A Turkish princess was also buried there as she married into the Johor Royal Family.
Makam Diraja Johor Telok Blangah, a royal mausoleum; where the officials were buried is located right beside the Mosque
Creepy fact: The mosque has been trending recently due to the site being used as a space to practise black magic, even though it’s strictly forbidden in Islam.
Address: 30 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098827
Opening hours: 24/7
Contact: 8287 9867 | Masjid Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim Facebook
Now that you’re brimming with info on the most aesthetic-looking mosques in SG, be sure to add this to your sightseeing itinerary. Exploring mosques adds a different element due to their deep-rooted history and diverse mix of architectural styles.
It helps us appreciate the religious harmony in Singapore even more. Plus, they look really great for the gram. While you’re exploring, check out some Hindu temples and European-inspired churches.
Cover image adapted from: @ilgirodelmondoconandrea & @komarjohari via Instagram
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