Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 837-9666

___________________________________________________________

Mr Lim Siam Kim, Chief Executive Officer, National Heritage Board

Hj Maarof Salleh, President, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Mr Abu Bakar bin Abdul Rahman, Chairman, Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka

Ladies & Gentlemen

Assalamualaikum wr wb and good morning to everyone

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka is known to us as the oldest mosque in Singapore. It was established by Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied, an Arab merchant from Palembang in 1820. His son, Syed Abdullah bin Omar Aljunied, was responsible for the rebuilding of the mosque in 1855.

The original mosque was a temporary timber building, which was torn down and replaced by a brick mosque in 1855. The paving of a new road through Kampong Melaka, brought worshippers from the surrounding area. With a bigger congregation, the timber mosque quickly became inadequate and and a larger, sturdier brick structure was built to accommodate the mosque’s growing needs.

Today, the mosque is a simple building that stands out amidst modern skyscrapers in this old quarter of Singapore. With a capacity to seat 500 worshippers, it is a focal point for office workers during daily and Friday prayers.

This occasion reminds us of our historical beginnings. Our past contributes to the unique multi cultural character of our country. The story of our past is a treasure that must be shared with later generations of Singaporeans, regardless of their race and religion.

History has shown us that our forefathers worked and toiled for well-being of the general communities of their time. One such illustrious example is the Aljunied family.

The Aljunied family is best remembered for many charitable acts, often generously supporting schools, hospital and mosque, as well as sponsoring religious events. They were living examples of all that Islam stands for with their philanthropic, community consciousness and self-help spirit, and what Malays call "gotong-royong" or the willingness to work together to help each other.

A good 180 years later, this community-consciousness and "gotong royong" spirit is still well and alive in modern day Singapore. Muslims who are good role models show effectively what Islam is really about. I am reassured that the majority of Muslims in have shown themselves to be tolerant and peaceful-loving people that Islam calls for. They share the same aspirations for their nation as their fellow Singaporeans with whom they share a bond. They understand that there is no room for bigotry or any form of extremism. The common space that we have built among the various communities here must be expanded, not reduced. We must all reach out to each other, not withdraw into our own shells or erect rigid barriers to interaction and communication.

Mosques like Omar Kampong Melaka must continue to work hand in hand with Muis and the Muslim community to show that tolerance and respect for other religions are basic founding principles of Islam. Such spirit has contributed to a peaceful environment that has made harmonious multi-racial living in Singapore possible.

It gives me grate pleasure to officially mark Masjid Omar Kampong Melayu as a historic site. I congratulate the mosque management board and all the committed volunteers who have over the years made the mosque what it is today. I hope it will remain a historical landmark for all our future generations.

Thank you.