Syed Sharif Omar Ali Aljunied: The Man Who Built Singapore’s Oldest Recorded Mosque and Donated Land for a Cathedral and a Hospital
Learn about Syed Sharif Omar Ali Aljunied and how his contributions have benefitted others for generations to come, leaving a lasting impact on various communities and faiths.
On August 3, 2024, the Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura (WMS) initiative was launched, ushering in Wakaf Month. This campaign encourages the Singapore Muslim community to donate a portion of our assets to ensure the welfare of future generations, highlighting the profound impact of legacy planning and sadaqah jaariyah (ongoing charity).
Visit www.wakaf.sg
At the heart of this movement is the story of Syed Sharif Omar Bin Ali Aljunied, a respected pioneer whose contributions still benefit others, regardless of background. By sharing Syed Omar’s story, we aim to honour his memory and inspire others to embrace the enduring spirit of wakaf to uplift and support future generations.
How Much Do We Know About the History of Aljunied?
What do Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, St Andrew's Cathedral, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka have in common? Besides being monumental buildings and institutions in Singapore, they have one common factor underscoring their existence.
All of them were in one way or another built or contributed by a man worthy of having his legacy preserved on the map of Singapore - Syed Sharif Omar Bin Ali Aljunied1.
Who Was Syed Sharif Omar Aljunied?
Syed Sharif Omar Bin Ali Aljunied (b. 1792, Hadhramaut, Yemen–d. 6 November 1852, Singapore) was a wealthy Hadhramaut Arab merchant who migrated to Singapore from Palembang, Indonesia, where he established business after moving from Yemen. A well-respected figure in his community, he was highly regarded by the community as a generous philanthropist.
How Did Syed Sharif Omar Aljunied Contribute to Singapore?
Some of his notable contributions include donating land for the construction of a mosque on what was then known as Omar Road in Kampong Malacca, Singapore, in 1820. This mosque, now named Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, is recorded as the oldest mosque in Singapore and is located along the Singapore River.
Read more: NHB Roots - Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka
He also donated the land on which St. Andrew’s Cathedral now stands and provided land for the construction of the then-Chinese Pauper Hospital, which would later become Tan Tock Seng Hospital.2
The building of the mosque in 1820 (Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka) is a testimony to the first ever wakaf recorded in Singapore’s history.
P.S. If you would also like to support the long-term needs of our community, please consider contributing to Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura at www.wakaf.sg.
Left: The mosque in the 1980s. Photo by Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka. Right: Today, congregants continue to visit Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka for prayers. Photo by Muis.
In 1845, Syed Omar Aljunied also donated money to rebuild Masjid Bencoolen from an attap structure to a more solid building, flanked by two shophouses on each side. The original building (attap mosque) was originally built around 1824-1825. Today, this more-than-century-old mosque has undergone redevelopment to accommodate up to 1,000 congregants, compared to 450 previously.3
Exterior facade of Masjid Bencoolen located along Bencoolen St. Photo by Muis.
Syed Omar Aljunied was indeed a pioneer in the creation of the wakaf institution in Singapore, a community asset that fulfils an essential need in the socio-religious life of Muslims. He was a trailblazer for the community to be self-reliant and independent in funding key institutions such as mosques and madrasah. He has left a lasting philanthropic legacy for many to follow suit, including his family members and every Muslim Singaporean.
In 1926, Aljunied Road was named after him as he owned large tracts of agricultural land in the area. In 1927, his grandson, Syed Abdul Rahman Aljunied, built Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, the second oldest Islamic institution of learning in Singapore, in honour of its namesake. Today, the leading Islamic religious school is well-regarded for producing notable Muslim scholars and religious teachers in South East Asia.
Students of Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah walking along its school grounds. Photo by Muis.
And those familiar with the location of the Madrasah would know that there is a plot of land dedicated as a Muslim cemetery adjacent to it. And that land too was donated by Syed Omar Aljunied.
The Friday Mosque Collection by Madrasah Aljunied will hold its last round of collection on 15 August 2024. For general donations to support the Madrasah, you may visit the following website: aljunied.edu.sg/donation
How Is Syed Omar Aljunied a Role Model for the Singaporean Muslim?
Resilience in Religiosity
Being an Arab minority in a largely diverse society such as Singapore did not prevent Syed Omar from contributing to his community. While living in a multicultural and multi-religious environment, Syed Omar was proud of his identity and faith as a Muslim. His commitment to building Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, the first mosque in Singapore, demonstrates his dedication to preserving and fostering the local Muslim community's religious life. His resilience is evident in his ability to sustain his faith while engaging actively with a diverse society.
Inclusiveness and Breaking Boundaries
Being an exemplary Muslim also meant that he cared for people of other religious beliefs. This is most clearly reflected in his contribution of land for the construction of St Andrew's Cathedral, an Anglican church. This act signifies a profound respect for and willingness to support different religious communities. By aiding in the establishment of a place of worship for another faith, he fostered mutual understanding and harmony, showcasing a spirit of inclusiveness that transcended religious boundaries.
St Andrew's Cathedral, located at 11 St Andrew's Rd, is the site of land contributed by Syed Sharif Omar Aljunied.
Contributive to the Community
As a philanthropist, Syed Omar Aljunied made significant contributions to various public and community-oriented projects. His donations to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Jalan Kubor Cemetery highlight his dedication to the welfare of society at large. His philanthropy helped lay the foundations for essential community services and infrastructure, benefiting people of all backgrounds and faiths.
Adaptability in a New Environment
Coming from Palembang and settling in Singapore, Syed Omar had to adapt to a new social and economic environment. His success as a merchant in Singapore indicates his ability to navigate and thrive in a different cultural and commercial setting. His adaptability allowed him to integrate into Singaporean society while maintaining his cultural and religious identity.
Progressive With a Purpose
Syed Omar's actions reflect a forward-thinking attitude. By contributing land for healthcare and religious buildings for multiple communities, he demonstrated a progressive vision that embraced the interconnectedness and interdependence of different groups within society. His contributions helped foster a more cohesive and supportive community structure, laying the groundwork for a progressive society where diverse groups could coexist and prosper together.
What Singaporean Muslims Can learn from Syed Sharif Omar Bin Ali Aljunied?
There is much that can be learnt from the life and legacy of Syed Omar Aljunied. He exemplifies the qualities of the Singapore Muslim Identity in the many things he did as an individual and for the society at large.
- The Muslim is one who, against all odds, upholds the identity of being resilient despite the challenges and hurdles of today’s complex circumstances. We hold strong to our faith with good conduct and as a shining example to everyone around us. A small donation to the construction of a new mosque or a new school can go a long way in providing Muslims a place to worship and a place to develop progressive Muslim scholars of tomorrow. Let us take this opportunity to follow the example of Syed Omar by contributing to the Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura at https://give.wakaf.sg/wms today.
- The Muslim treats others no differently than how they would treat their loved ones. One may say that donating land to help members of other faith communities build their place of worship can spark controversy, but looking back into the history of Islam, one can also find many shining examples of how Muslims facilitate people of other religious beliefs in their freedom to practise their religions. A kind gesture to our neighbour as they celebrate their holidays and festivitiescan be a good place to start. As such we can learn from the example of Syed Omar by not only respecting others but also bringing harmony in the lives of Singaporeans.
- The Muslim contributes proactively to nation-building, in all its many ways. From as simple as contributing to the workforce to being involved in community-oriented projects like Syed Omar, no effort towards nation-building is too little and no contribution is too small. In Islam, we are taught that even a smile is a charitable act. On top of that, one should recognise the hard work of people of all working sectors in building the Singapore we have today, from migrant workers in building our roads to medical professionals in combating epidemics by treating everyone with dignity and respect.
- The Muslim thrives in every situation as they adapt to the context and circumstances of an ever-changing world. In this day and age, Muslims must learn to adjust to new norms and advancements in technology while still upholding the core tenets and teachings of Islam. Syed Omar travelled from Yemen to Indonesia and then to Singapore while still thriving as a businessman and contributed everywhere he went. What Muslims can do to adapt to new situations is to gain useful knowledge and get information from trusted sources in order to make informed decisions when navigating through life.
- The Muslim evolves with the passing of time. Being progressive does not mean that the Muslim disregards Islamic traditions in the name of fitting in. On the other hand, being progressive is having a vision with a purpose, and working towards it as how Syed Omar had demonstrated in his life. One can participate in discussions and dialogues with members of other faith groups either in formal or casual settings to work on ways to live harmoniously in Singapore or to find ways to address the issues of today.
Syed Sharif Omar Bin Ali Aljunied - A Legacy Inherited by Today’s Singapore Muslim Community
The resting place of Syed Omar Aljunied, now located at the precinct of Masjid Omar Kampung Melaka, along with a number of his family members, exhumed from Aljunied Kampung Glam Burial Ground.
We have learnt so much of the life story behind the namesake of several of Singapore’s historical landmarks and the person he was. Syed Sharif Omar Bin Ali Aljunied has his name written in the annals of Singapore history and on the map of Singapore as one of the leaders of his community, as well as an example to his people.
As you walk past Madrasah Aljunied along Victoria Lane or as you pray at Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka along 10 Keng Cheow St, recall the man who played a part in building the Singapore we know and love today.
References:
1Mukunthan, M. (n.d.). Syed Omar Aljunied. National Library Board Singapore.
2(n.d.). About TTSH. Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
3(n.d.). Masjid Bencoolen. Masjid Bencoolen.
This article was written in consultation with Shamsul Hadi Jangarodin from Wakaf.SG. Articles on Muslim.Sg may be reproduced electronically or in print with prior permission from Muslim.Sg. Proper credit must be given to the author(s) and Muslim.Sg.
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