Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, Singapore
Copyright © Timothy Tye.
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
4001 Beach Road, Singapore 199584
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, or Masjid Hajjah Fatimah, is a heritage mosque built by a woman. It is located in Kampong Glam, the Malay enclave near Beach Road, directly opposite the Golden Mile Complex. The mosque was designed by a British architect, John Turnbull Thomson, and as a result, there are European elements in its design. John Turnbull Thomson was also involved in designing the previous St Andrew's Cathedral building. Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was built in 1845 and completed the following year.
The Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was named after an affluent Malay woman from Malacca who married a Bugis prince from Celebes (Sulawesi). She donated the land on which her house formerly stood for the mosque. According to report, that ill-fated house was broken into twice, and on the second break in, was set on fire as well. Fortunately, Hajjah Fatimah was away when the arson took place. Relieved at being spared any injury, she handed the land over to be built a mosque.
As astute businesswoman, Hajjah Fatimah took over the business from her husband when he died, shortly after their marriage. The business continued to prosper and she amassed a huge fortune. Her only daughter, Raja Siti, married Syed Ahmad Alsagoff, the son of Syed Abdul Rahman Alsagoff, the famous Arab trader. After her death, her business passed into their family.
The grave of Hajjah Fatimah, along with that of her daughter and son-in-law, is located within the compound of the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque. Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was gazetted a national monument on 6 July 1973.
