The grand mosque of Singapore : two centuries in the history of Masjid Sultan / editors, Emeritus Assoc Professor Dr Hadijah Rahmat JP, Dr Imran bin Tajudeen, Ustaz Dr Mohamed Qusairy Thaha, Ibrahim Tahir, Mohd Puzi Mohamed, Anthony Green, Dr Suryani Atan ; writer of foreword, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Dr. Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Hj Mohamed M.S Patail, Abdul Salim bin Ahmed Ibrahim.
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Cover title. "Produced as part of Masjid Sultan's Bicentennial Celebration Project"-- Preface. "Bicentennial Book Project"-- Preface. Includes bibliographical references (pages 424-437) In English with some text in Malay.
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The grand mosque of Singapore : two centuries in the history of Masjid Sultan / editors, Emeritus Assoc Professor Dr Hadijah Rahmat JP, Dr Imran bin Tajudeen, Ustaz Dr Mohamed Qusairy Thaha, Ibrahim Tahir, Mohd Puzi Mohamed, Anthony Green, Dr Suryani Atan ; writer of foreword, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Dr. Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Hj Mohamed M.S Patail, Abdul Salim bin Ahmed Ibrahim.
"For over two centuries, Masjid Sultan has stood as a spiritual anchor and cultural landmark in the heart of Singapore's Kampong Gelam. This bicentennial edition unveils not only the mosque's storied past but also fresh, revelatory insights that challenge long-held assumptions shedding new light on its founding, leadership, and enduring legacy. Among the most compelling discoveries in this book is the revelation that Masjid Sultan's origins date back to 1819, not 1824 as widely believed. Sultan Hussain Shah, acting with remarkable foresight, personally commissioned the mosque's first wooden structure using his own means, establishing a place of worship for the nascent Muslim community even before Raffles' financial contribution. This crucial finding reframes the mosque's origin story as one of indigenous initiative. Also brought to light is the 1879 Trusteeship Indenture, a colonial-era document that records the historic transition of Masjid Sultan's governance from royal hands to a community-led trustee model. This marked a defining moment in the mosque's autonomy and legal standing. Perhaps one of the most surprising discoveries is that Masjid Sultan was the first known mosque in Singapore--and possibly the world--to install an electrical loudspeaker system for the call to prayer. This pioneering use of technology not only amplified the azan but symbolized the mosque's longstanding tradition of embracing innovation while preserving its religious essence. Blending archival records, rich narratives, and diverse perspectives, this is more than a commemorative work--it is a critical re-examination and celebration of a living institution."-- Back cover.