Release No: 31/DEC -- 07-l/87/12/18

SPEECH BY DR AHMAD MATTAR, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AT THE CELEBRATION OF MAULIDIN NABI AT THE SULTAN ON FRIDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1987 AT 8.00 PM

Functions organised by Muslim associations, and other interested groups to celebrate important events in the Islamic calendar are invaluable in sustaining the awareness among us of the importance of religion in our lives. They serve as timely reminders that we should share our blessings with our fellow . This conscious effort to help our brothers-in- strengthens the solidarity among us and enable us to work closely with each other in attaining our common objectives.

Tonight's celebration of Maulidin Nabi is one such occasion where through prayers and sermon, we are able to reflect on the sacrifices made by the Holy Prophet during his lifetime for the benefit of his followers.

Earlier this year, I made an announcement that the Government had allocated approximately 1,200 sq metres of land adjoining the along Kandahar Street for its expansion plans. This project will be the second major one to be undertaken in its long history.

According to records available, Sir made provision in 1823, for Sultan Hussein Mahomed Shah to build a "respectable mosque" near his new istana. The original Sultan Mosque was a simple structure with a three-tier tiled roof. The mosque served the Muslim community until 1924 when it was replaced by the present 2

structure we know today. It was designed by an English architect named Denis Santry of the architectural firm of Swan and Maclaren.

It is without doubt that the Sultan Mosque is the most well-known and revered mosque in . It is packed to capacity every Friday and on the Hari Rayas and well patronised during Ramadan and other Islamic festivals.

The original mosque stood for just over 100 years from 1823 to 1924 before a new one was built. Two obvious reasons necessitating the re-building of the mosque could be its deteriorating physical condition and that it had become too small to accommodate the growing Muslim population that had settled in the surrounding areas.

Today Sultan Mosque is one of Singapore's monuments protected under the Preservation of Monuments Act. This means that any proposed renovation, modification or extension to be done to the mosque must be approved by the Board.

The proposed extension of Masjid Sultan will have to be very carefully considered so that it will fulfill the twin objectives of providing more space for the mosque's activities and that it blends with the original structure and the surroundings. . Muslims who frequent the mosque each week to pray will be watching with keenness and excitement the development that will take place before their very eyes. Standing graceful and majestic along North Bridge Road, Sultan Mosque will enter the next century with other futuristic developments that will rise in the now vacant sites nearby and be serviced by sleek subway trains running beneath the roads. 3

However, the extension project of Sultan Mosque will require the total Commitment Of its trustees to see the project through to its successful conclusion. They will have to think of innovative ways of fund-raising and to win over interested Muslims to help them. On the other side of the coin, Muslims will be Called upon time and again to donate to the building fund. If all of us give according to our means, I am confident that the trustees will be able to raise the funds required and complete the project on time.

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