Singapore's grandest mosque (sultanmosque.sg), seemingly pulled from an Arabian Nights storybook, is nothing short of enchanting. Founded in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah, it was one of his key requests to Stamford Raffles and the East India Company, made in conjunction with the signing of a land treaty and allowing his continued sovereignty over the area. In 1932, the original single-story brick mosque was replaced by the present building, designed by an Irish architect.
Gazetted as a national monument in 1975, it showcases Indo-Saracenic style and boasts two majestic golden domes and two eight-story minarets that can be seen from afar. Additional cupolas and decorative mini-minarets add to the drama, softened by the swaying palm trees nearby. Exquisite arabesque moldings trail down the front of the two facades. In an inclusive move by the sultan, the green base of the gleaming dome is made of glass-bottle ends donated by lower-income devotees during its construction. Its scale also meant that a part of North Bridge Rd was moved to accommodate the compound. This rear annex houses a splendid mausoleum where the grandson of the sultan and other members of the royal family are buried.
Visitors are welcome from 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm every day except Friday. Non-Muslims should refrain from entering the main prayer hall, but it's separated by wide grills so that one can still appreciate its inner beauty. All visitors are expected to dress suitably (cloaks and skirts are available at the entrance).