#13 Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

Our last stop was the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque located near Beach Road.

• When was the mosque built?Who built the mosque?

The mosque was in 1845/1846 by a wealthy Malaccan businesswoman, Hajjah Fatimah.

• What can you find out about the person?

Hajjah Fatimah was an intrepid businesswoman who married a Bugis prince form Celebes that ran a trading post in Singapore. Her husband died early into their marriage but Hajjah Fatimah singlehandedly carried on his business, acquiring numerous vessels and prows which she used to amass a large fortune.

• What other name is the mosque known as?

The mosque probably also known as the “leaning tower” of Singapore. The minaret is actually tilted 6 degrees. However, when we tried to see it, it only seemed tilted when we saw it at a certain angle. We thought it might just be our illusion!! We tried to take a picture of the “leaning minaret”, but somehow it refused to be captured on the camera. If you want to feel for yourself the leaning minaret, make a trip down to witness it!

• What kind of architectural styles can you find in the building?

The mosque differs from other mosques in its architecture. While the main feature of most mosques is the dome, for the Hajjah Fatimah mosque,the minaret is the one that takes centrestage. The minaret boasts some form of French influence. The windows however seemed to be of Chinese influence while the prayer hall was of standard Islamic origin. The hybrid of different architectural styles is what makes this mosque special.