MOSQUE-BUILDING CONTRIBUTIONS

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs what is the total amount of contributions collected from Singaporean Muslims since the last mosque was built and what plans he has for the contributions.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: The last mosque built was the Ar-Raudhah Mosque at Bukit Batok, which was completed in January 1993 at a cost of $8.1 million.

From January 1993 to October 1994, the total amount collected from Singaporean Muslims under the Mosque Building Fund was $7.4 million. In the next two years, one new mosque currently under construction will be completed and another built. If the total amount collected from Singaporean Muslims is insufficient to pay for the cost of these two mosques, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura will assist in providing funds to meet the shortfall.

More mosques will be constructed from 1997 onwards, for which plans are being prepared.