Mosque Building Programme

Maarof Mosque

Maarof Mosque

Maarof Mosque is the third mosque built under Phase IV of Muis Mosque Building Programme. It is also Singapore’s 25th satellite mosque to be funded by the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF), a community fund sustained through contributions by all working Muslims in Singapore.

With its capacity for 4,500 congregants, Maarof Mosque serves residents in Jurong West and Boon Lay estates, workers from the Jurong Industrial Estate, Tuas and the planned Wenya Industrial Estate at Jurong West Avenue 2, as well as students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and nearby institutions.

Maarof Mosque was designed to cater to the needs of various groups of congregants - with accessible routes, corridors and paths to cater to the growing number of older persons with limited mobility and wheelchair users, and also family-friendly facilities such as child-friendly toilets and lactation rooms for nursing mothers. The mosque also is the first to be equipped with features that will enhance the experience of the hearing and visual impaired congregants and visitors.

Complementing the main prayer hall is a feature wall with Kufic pattern announcing the mosque’s name. The term “Maarof”, generally refers to “goodness” and “kindness.” For example, al-amru bil-Maaruf is a concept that is highly emphasized in the Islamic tradition, related to the calling to and propagation of good deeds by Muslims. The term is also used in the Qur’an in relation to kind speech towards people, and maintaining good familial relationships, both of which are encouraged in Islam. The choice of the name thus represents what is hoped of the new mosque and that which will represent the Muslim community in Jurong West, as a hub for the community to spread and multiply goodness.

Maarof Mosque was named after an older Maarof Mosque on the now expunged Jeddah Street/Clyde Street (near Kampong Glam). The mosque was built in 1870 and stood at the core of strengthening the communal ties of the Muslim community at that time. Due to redevelopment requirements in the area, the mosque was phased out in 1996.Due to redevelopment needs, the mosque was phased out in 1996. To document this, a heritage gallery featuring the old Maarof Mosque has been erected serving as an educational and awareness corner for the community, especially the younger generation.

Location

Jurong West Street 26