Comments on: BBC Radio – The British Mosque

By: thabet

thabet — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:54:19 +0000

assalamu alaykum

Isn’t the architect’s name Ali Mangera?

Isn’t Yusuf Mangera one of the names of the teachers at Sunnipath?

wasalam

By: JDsg

JDsg — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:15:37 +0000

While most of the masajid in S’pore are very old and very traditional in their architecture, some of the more recently built masajid combine modern architecture with traditional features. They’re really quite attractive. The most interesting masjid I’ve been to here is located at one of the bank towers and is completely underground. While there’s no “exterior architecture” (obviously), the interior design has elements of both the traditional and the modern.

By: Osman

Osman — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:08:24 +0000

I’d prefer if we went with modern architecture, it’s probably better for us to ease tensions over multi-culturalism that way. Spiritually it is of similar value anyway.

I also have reservations over the mega-mosque, we already have plenty of mosques and a huge controversial one in London will do not for our community.

By: Danya

Danya — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:44:44 +0000

Masha’Allah that is really interesting. Isn’t there a way they can do both though?

I can see both sides.

For the traditionalist side: I’d want to say I’d prefer a traditional architecture for the main reason that Westerners though that that is a mosque. The minerets are symbolic of a mosque in many parts of the Muslim world. On the other hand, I guess if there is some sort of other indication like a crescent, then I guess that problem goes away.

But I’d favor the latter opinion too because I feel as though Muslims in the West should be making their own tracks here. We should synthesize our tradition with where (and when) we are in a way that is hormonious and beautiful.

Interesting I haven’t heard such a debate in the States (yet).