SINGAPORE - Muslim worshippers living and working in Jurong can look forward to a new mosque, which is on track for completion by the end of 2016, despite changes to the design based on public feedback.
Construction of the $18 million Maarof Mosque, located along Jalan Bahar, began on Saturday morning with a ground-breaking ceremony officiated by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communication and Information and Minister in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
The four-storey mosque, which will be able to accommodate 4,500 worshippers, will cater to residents in Jurong West and Boon Lay estates, workers from Jurong Industrial Estate, Tuas and the planned Wenya Industrial Estate, as well as students from Nanyang Technological University and nearby schools.
Currently, worshippers in the area go to Assyakirin Mosque at Yung An Road or Almukminin Mosque at Jurong East Street 21.
The development of the new mosque was announced by Dr Yaacob in 2010, to cater to the growing Muslim population in the area and to ease overcrowding at the existing mosques.
Through roadshows showcasing the mosque's proposed design in June and July this year, the mosque's building committee, appointed in December last year, garnered feedback from the Muslim community which will be incorporated into the final design.
Among other things, a more prominent minaret will be built and there will be more seating areas for the elderly within the prayer hall. More spaces for community activities will also be created than initially planned for, and bicycle stands will be built.
