Masjid Al-Mawaddah
 | This article contains promotional content. (August 2016) |
| مسجد المودة Masjid Al-Mawaddah Al-Mawaddah Mosque | |
|---|---|
 Mosque exterior view | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Branch/tradition | Sunni Islam |
| Location | |
| Location | 151 Compassvale Bow Singapore 544997 |
| Geographic coordinates | 1°13′57″N 103°31′58″E / 1.2326°N 103.53273°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Completed | 2009 |
| Construction cost | S$10.5 million |
| Capacity | 4,000 |
| Website | |
| http://v1.almawaddah.sg/ | |
Masjid Al-Mawaddah (Jawi: مسجد المودة; Arabic: مسجد المودة) is a mosque located in Sengkang, Singapore. It was opened on 21 May 2009.
History
[edit]The mosque was built under Phase 4 of the Mosque Building Fund program to cater to the large demographic of young families in the Buangkok and Sengkang area and cost $10.5 million to build.[1] The mosque's name, given by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura is derived from the Arabic word, مودة, which literally means affectionate. The name was taken from the Quran Surah Ar-Rum verse 21:
"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell In tranquillity with them, and He has put love and Mercy between your (hearts): Verily In that are Signs for those who reflect."
Aside from its numerous family friendly features for the young and the old, it also boasts a number of environmentally friendly features that are energy-conserving. Due to this mosque has attained the Greenmark Certification (2009 & 2011) from the Building and Construction Authority.[2]
The mosque's capacity is increased to 4,000 worshipers during peak periods.[3]
Incident
[edit]On 13 October 2017, Berita Harian, Singapore's Malay newspaper, published an article How to Deal with Stubborn Wives (translated title) by Ustaz Mohammad Zaid Isahak, the executive Imam of the Al-Mawaddah Mosque.[4][5]
The religious scholar had responded to a question on an advice column on whether a husband could "Distance himself from a wife who refuses to obey him.". Ustaz Zaid said that husbands should try gentle persuasion to remind their wives of their obligations their husbands, if their advice is unheeded, husbands can then leave or ignore his wife for a short period of time. The column article suggests that if such measures do not work, it is permissible under Islamic law to hit a wife, as long as it is not on the face, leaves no visible marks on her body, and that the husband is certain that the act of hitting a wife will change her disobedience.[6][7]
The article sparked an outcry on social media and prompted a response from Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency's Member of Parliament, Faishal Ibrahim, and head of the Office of the Mufti, Ustaz Irwan Hadi, denouncing spousal violence of any form.[6] Berita Harian posted clarifications from Ustaz Zaid later, saying the Quranic verse he had cited was not an excuse for a husband to physically punish or insult his wife, and "it should be interpreted in the modern context" and that the husband should express his "displeasure and anger" in lieu of physical punishment.[6][7]
Transportation
[edit]The mosque is accessible from Buangkok MRT station.
References
[edit]- ^ "Singapore's first eco-friendly mosque to open on Friday". Archived from the original on 17 May 2009.
- ^ "Muis | Muis: Mosque". www.muis.gov.sg.
- ^ "About Us – Al-Mawaddah Mosque".
- ^ "Singaporean newspaper under fire over Muslim cleric's column that suggested beating 'stubborn wives'". The Telegraph. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ "马来报"体罚老婆"的建议惹争议 - 8频道新闻及时事节目" [Malay paper attracts controversy with suggestions of "physical punishments on wife"]. Channel 8 News. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Violence is not acceptable in any form, says Faishal". The Straits Times. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ a b "A cleric's newspaper column includes how husbands can hit stubborn wives; internet responds accordingly | Coconuts". Retrieved 26 September 2023.
