Masjid Al-Istighfar

Masjid Al-Istighfar
The main facade of Masjid Al-Istighfar that faces north-west.
Masjid Al-Istighfar is located in Singapore
Masjid Al-Istighfar
Location in Singapore
Religion
AffiliationSunni Islam
Location
Location2 Pasir Ris Walk, Singapore 518239
CountrySingapore
Coordinates1°22′16″N 103°57′51″E / 1.3710218°N 103.9641112°E / 1.3710218; 103.9641112
Architecture
TypeMosque
StyleEclectic
Established1997
Completed16 July 1999
Specifications
Dome1
Minaret1

Masjid Al-Istighfar is a mosque located in Pasir Ris, Singapore. Built in 1999, it is well-known in the country's Northern Region for its majorly blue-and-white exterior and bulbous dome. The mosque is also a landmark of the wider Pasir Ris neighbourhood, serving congregants from both there and Loyang.

Etymology

The name of the mosque, Al-Istighfar, is an Arabic word that means repentance to God. The concept of Istighfar was held in extreme importance by the earlier Muslims, including Islamic scholars of the Hanbali school.

History

Plans for a mosque in the Pasir Ris neighbourhood had been drawn up in early 1990, while the name for the mosque was officially chosen in 1996.[1] The location of the mosque, a grass field at the junction of a defunct road and 3 Pasir Ris Drive, was revealed in 1997.[2] The project was also placed under the Mosque Building Fund initiative, along with the Masjid Al-Istiqamah in northern Serangoon.[1][2][3] The mosque was eventually completed on 16 July 1999 and opened its doors to the public on the same day, hosting its first Friday prayer as well.[4][5] During the SARS epidemic, the mosque handed out flyers and pamphlets detailing information about the virus, to help educate the public and prevent misinformation.[6]

In 2004, the mosque collected $35,000 for donations to the families of victims of the 2003 Bam earthquake that struck Kerman, Iran.[7] Following this, the mosque donated $20,000 in 2005 to help renovate a surau in the village of Meulaboh in West Aceh, Indonesia.[8]

The mosque was closed down in 2020 as part of a nationwide mosque closure during the COVID-19 outbreak.[9] It was reopened after the pandemic in 2021 and continued to function as per normal towards the end of the Circuit Breaker period. In April 2026, a temporary extension to the mosque was set up in the field opposite it, due to a request for more prayer spaces in the Pasir Ris area.[10][11]

Architecture

The mosque has an eclectic architectural style, combining modern elements with elements of traditional Islamic styles, including Ottoman and Mamluk forms.[12] Its overall appearance was inspired by the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul.[13] The mosque's predominately blue-and-white coloured exterior and bulbous dome helps in making it a well-known place in the Northern Region.[12]

The main building has four levels, with the ground level being the main prayer hall. The second level overlooks the main hall and contains the prayer hall for females.[14][15] The blue, bulbous, ribbed dome of the mosque sits on a circle drum situated directly on top of the main prayer hall, with the ceiling fan attached to a bar from the underside of the dome.[14][15] Ancillary rooms inside the mosque including the staff office, on the first level, as well as a series of classrooms on the second to fourth levels that comprise the madrasa segment.[14][15]

A minaret with an octagonal shape flanks the main prayer hall, topped with a smaller dome. Lattice work lines the exterior of the minaret.[12] At the entrance of the mosque are a set of benches for pedestrians and members of the public to rest. Next to these benches is a water cooler, which dispenses free drinking water as part of the nationwide "Water for All" initiative.[16]

Transportation

Masjid al-Istighfar is accessible via bus services 5, 6, and 89, which lead directly to a bus top behind the mosque and connect the mosque to the Pasir Ris MRT station as well as the neighborhoods of Loyang, Punggol, Sengkang, and Changi.[17] The mosque mainly serves the residents of Pasir Ris and Loyang.[18]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Masjid baru Pasir Ris diberi nama" [New mosque in Pasir Ris is given a name]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 2 December 1996. p. 2. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 Zakaria, Z.Z. (24 February 1997). "Tapak Masjid Al-Istighfar di Pasir Ris Dr 3" [Foundation of Masjid Al-Istighfar at 3 Pasir Ris Drive]. Berita Harian (in Malay). p. 2. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "Lagi 4 masjid dijangka siap tahun ini" [Another 4 mosques expected to be completed this year]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 4 June 1999. p. 14. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Perwakafan dan solat Jumaat pertama hari ini" [Inauguration and first Friday prayer to be held today]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 16 July 1999. p. 15. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Rahman, N.A. (17 July 1999). "Rancang percepat bina masjid baru" [Plan to accelerate construction of new mosque]. Berita Harian (in Malay). p. 2. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Al-Istighfar edar borang tinjau cara cegah virus" [Al-Istighfar distributes survey forms on how to prevent the virus]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 10 May 2003. p. 8. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Al-Istighfar kumpul $35,000 bagi mangsa gempa Iran" [Al-Istighfar collected $35,000 for the victims of the Iranian earthquake]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 5 February 2004. p. 3. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Al-Istighfar derma $20,000 bagi baiki musala di Meulaboh" [Al-Istighfar donates $20,000 to repair a musalla at Meulaboh]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 8 August 2005. p. 2. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "All mosques here to remain closed until March 26". The Straits Times. 17 March 2020. p. 18.
  10. ↑ Abdulaziz, M.H. (10 April 2026). "Ruang solat sementara tampung 500 anggota jemaah akan dibina bertentangan Masjid Al-Istighfar" [Temporary prayer space that fits 500 congregants to be installed with Masjid Al-Istighfar]. Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  11. ↑ Leong, Dana (10 April 2026). "Temporary facility to provide space for 500 more congregants at Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris". AsiaOne. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "Al-Istighfar Mosque, Pasir Ris Heritage Trail". Roots. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Blue Mosque opens". The Straits Times. 1 August 2000. p. 52. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 Hamzah, Farid (16 February 1999). "Masjid Al-Istighfar 90% siap, mula berfungsi Julai" [Masjid Al-Istighfar is 90% complete, will start to function in July]. Berita Harian (in Malay). p. 7. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Kuchit, A.Y. (28 July 1999). "Dua baru, dua dibaharui" [Two new, two improvised]. Berita Harian (in Malay). pp. ms. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  16. ↑ Lee, Laremy (9 February 2021). "Masjid Al-Istighfar's "Water For All" program - A brilliant community initiative". Laremy.SG. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Masjid Al-Istighfar (Mosque) - 2 Pasir Ris Walk (S)518239". www.streetdirectory.com. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Irwan, Hakim (10 April 2026). "Ruang solat sementara dekat Masjid Al-Istighfar; program pembangunan baharu untuk asatizah". BERITA Mediacorp. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
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