In Pictures: Sacred sanctuary

Tucked behind the swanky Capitol Piazza stands the Masjid al Burhani. The mosque looks nondescript from the outside but step inside and its largely austere facade gives way to a beautiful prayer hall adorned with gilded Arabic inscriptions and ornate chandeliers. Photojournalist Desmond Lim has a rare peek into the mosque that is also the seat of the Dawoodi Bohra community here.

Desmond Lim
Updated
Jan 19, 2016, 02:09 PM
Published
Oct 15, 2015, 05:00 AM
(Above): Gilded inscriptions of the different names of Allah adorn the Masjid al Burhani in Hill Street. The prayer hall consists of two floors - the upper storey for the women and the ground floor for the men. (Right): Men from the Dawoodi Bohra com
The prayer hall inside the Masjid al Burhani. First built as a single-storey mosque in 1897 by merchant A.M. Essabhoy, it was rebuilt in 1956, then renovated as a 10-storey complex and reopened in 2000. The community has borne all the costs of renovations. Members of the community take guidance on all matters from the Da'i Mutlaq, who is their "absolute or unrestricted missionary". The current Da'i Mutlaq is His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, who is based in India.
(Above): Gilded inscriptions of the different names of Allah adorn the Masjid al Burhani in Hill Street. The prayer hall consists of two floors - the upper storey for the women and the ground floor for the men. (Right): Men from the Dawoodi Bohra com
Men from the Dawoodi Bohra community having a communal meal after Friday prayers at the mosque. They eat from large metal platters known as "thal" to promote togetherness and egalitarianism. Food is typically finished to the last grain, without any leftovers, as a way of showing thankfulness. They have a strict dress code, particularly in the mosque. The men don a Libas-ul-Anwar - a long white robe - and a white skullcap with embellishments in gold thread. The women wear a rida - a two-piece outfit which leaves only their faces uncovered.
(Above): Gilded inscriptions of the different names of Allah adorn the Masjid al Burhani in Hill Street. The prayer hall consists of two floors - the upper storey for the women and the ground floor for the men. (Right): Men from the Dawoodi Bohra com
Gilded inscriptions of the different names of Allah adorn the Masjid al Burhani in Hill Street. The prayer hall consists of two floors - the upper storey for the women and the ground floor for the men.
The Dawoodi Bohras are a small community in Singapore, with their own language, distinct form of attire and unique traditions.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 15, 2015, with the headline In Pictures: Sacred sanctuary. Subscribe

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