Jamae Mosque Singapore | Masjid Jamae Chulia Chinatown

Jamae Mosque, Singapore Overview

Jamae Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Singapore, located in Chinatown, Central Area. Also known as Masjid Jamae, Chulia Mosque, and Periya Palli by the local Tamil-Muslim community, this two-hundred-year-old place of worship is an iconic landmark in Chinatown, standing out with its distinctive Indo-Islamic architecture among the Oriental buildings. The first mosque built by the south Indian migrant Chulia Muslim community, this shrine is frequented by pious tourists and locals, history buffs, and architecture enthusiasts.

Masjid Jamae became a popular tourist location after it became the subject of postcards, illustrations, and photographs in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries – the building still retains its original frame and has not been rebuilt. Famed for its eclectic, unique style of architecture, the Chulia Mosque features a Dravido-Islamic style entrance gate, Tuscan and Doric columns, a neoclassical prayer hall, French windows, winding stairways, Romanesque arches, and minarets with an onion dome. This juxtaposition of Eastern and Western architecture makes the shrine a sight to behold! Gazetted as a national monument in 1974, the carefully preserved Chinese glazed tiles and meticulously designed spires make this mosque a great sightseeing spot.

History of Chulia Mosque

A community of Tamil Muslims called Chulias from the Coromandel Coast of South India were the ones who established the Jamae Masjid. The Chulias entered Singapore as traders and money changers. Gradually, they had set up three mosques in Singapore in a short period. Jamae Masjid was the first among the three. The other two were Al Abrar Mosque and a Nagore Dargah.

Later in 1881, when the early benefactors passed away, a lease was granted to the five trustees of the Masjid. The Jamae Mosque and Nagore Dargah were placed under a new panel of court-appointed trustees. The Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board took over the management of Masjid Jamae Chulia until 1968. There have been many proposals to rebuild the structure, but the mosque has remained unchanged since 1835. The Jamae Mosque is skewed towards Mecca, and its compound is aligned with the street grid.

How to Reach Jamae Mosque

The Jamae Masjid is well connected with buses and MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). The closest bus stop is at a distance of 2 minutes. Buses 961, 851, 961, 970, 51, 63, 124, 174E, 174 and 186 stop near the Mosque. The nearest MRT Station is Chinatown MRT Station. Alight at Exit F and walk for a distance of 2 minutes to reach here.