2) Masjid Khalid

Masjid Khalid
Address: 136 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427434

After awhile, we reached our second stop, which is the Masjid Khalid Mosque.


Picture: Outside Masjid Khalid Mosque

We did not really head in to take a look, but from the outside, we could see alot of architecture of muslim influence, typical of a muslim mosque. What is unique about this mosque is the atmosphere it emits. There seem to be a very humble and traditional feel to this mosque. Although it is small, it does come a long way since the colonial days. 

 
Picture: Heritage Board of Masjid Khalid Mosque

The mosque was built in 1917. This mosque retained its’ structure till major renovations were made in 1996 and was further expanded later on to cater to the increase in congregation.

What is unique about this mosque are the surrounding buildings along the stretch of road which Masjid Khalid mosque sits.

Due to Yankai's horrible video taking skills, pictures of the shophouses were adapted from google maps.


Adapted from: https://www.google.com.sg/maps/@1.3134953,103.899507,3a,65.8y,278.57h,94.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shnKoqYHpcML5gDgp35N5HQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The surrounding buildings are mainly shophouses. These shophouses seem to be different in architecture compared to those with peranakan/eurasian floral designs. The designs of the shophouses along the mosque seem to be rather simple. Further research seem to suggest that these shop houses of simple architectural design are those built in the period of 1840s to the 1900s. As such, the inhabitants of the shophouses would be early migrants. The idea of building the mosque there could suggest that the general population that is within the proximity of the mosque may be predominantly the Muslims. Moreover, the khalid mosque used to be a resting area for the Kandar peddlers. These malay food sellers could possibly reside in those shophouses as well.

The community which decided to turn the place into a place of worship were also the peddlers and they were probably the ones who worshipped there. There is also a tradition of preparing food in that mosque as the first Imam, Almarhum Syeikh Osman bin Syaikh Omar AlGanus, back then was a great cook who prepared food for the people.

  
References    
1. “Singapore Shophouses,” Roots, accessed October 12, 2006, https://roots.sg/learn/stories/singapore-shophouses/story

2. “Our Heritage,” Masjid Khalid, accessed October 12, 2006, http://masjidkhalid.sg/about/.