The 189-year-old Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, or Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque, was built in 1820 by prominent philanthropist Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied. It will have its roof replaced and get new classrooms and a women's prayer area.

When upgrading works are finished in December, the downtown mosque near Havelock Road will also feature a resource centre for both Muslims and non-Muslims to learn about the teachings of Islam.

The building, Singapore's oldest place of worship, began life as a wood-and-attap structure.

It underwent major reconstructions in 1855, when brick replaced the original structure, and in 1982 and 1985, when an office block and the dome-shaped minaret were added.

In 2001, it was declared a historic site by the National Heritage Board. Today, it has about 800 worshippers, but will be able to serve more than 1,000 after its refurbishment.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.