The Middle East Institute invites you to MEI Salon, a series of special events conducted in a casual relaxed setting aimed at making Middle Eastern culture more accessible to everyone. We strip away the academic jargon, and keep things light-hearted and interactive with topics that range from the sublime to the ridiculous.

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Between 1977 and 1983, the first phase of Singapore’s Mosque Building Fund (MBF) played a pivotal role in shaping the architectural and social evolution of local mosques. The MBF exemplifies the state’s pragmatic governance and approach to secularism, balancing religious autonomy with social cohesion and urban development. Mosque construction during this period emerged from a collaborative process involving the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), the Housing Development Board (HDB), and the Mosque Building Committee (JPM), ensuring mosque designs balanced religious needs with urban planning goals.

Local mosque architecture reflects regional styles and cultural influences, with distinct Southeast Asian elements. Despite these design differences, the spiritual essence remains unified within the global umma (Muslim community). Traditional elements — such as domes, minarets, and arches — were reinterpreted through modernist ideas. These shifts align religious spaces with Singapore’s urban development goals, while preserving Islamic identity within a multicultural context.

The MBF mosques — such as Masjid Muhajirin (1977), Masjid Assyakirin (1978), and Masjid An-Nur (1980) — illustrate how these buildings evolved into multi-functional spaces. They serve not only as places of worship, but also as community hubs that accommodate education and social activities. This evolution reflects Singapore’s unique approach to balancing religious expression with secular governance to foster social cohesion.

The Middle East Institute will host Hadi Osni, a scholar in architectural and urban history, to provide insights into how Singapore navigated the terrain of religious freedom, social cohesion, and urban development — all within the context of mosque architecture.

This event will be conducted both in-person and online via Zoom on Wednesday, 13 November from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM (SGT). This event is free, however, registration is compulsory. Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom details closer to the date of the event.

Photo credit: The Sultan Mosque is seen as people walk past restaurants in the Arab Street district during Eid al-Adha in Singapore on July 20, 2021. (Photo by Roslan Rahman / AFP)