Considerations on the closure of Al-Firdaus Mosque

1073. Mr Fadli Fawzi: To ask the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what is the rationale for not retaining the existing Masjid Al-Firdaus in Choa Chu Kang alongside the new mosque in Tengah; and (b) how does MUIS intend to work with relevant agencies to ensure that SAF and Home Team servicemen and foreign workers will be able to access the new mosque in Tengah easily to meet their prayer needs.

1116. Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik: To ask the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what considerations led to the decision to close and demolish Masjid Al-Firdaus after 63 years of service; (b) whether the Ministry had assessed alternatives to redevelopment plans in the area; and (c) how will the mosque’s heritage and its role in the community be meaningfully preserved beyond retaining its name.

Response:

 1.           As mentioned in the response to a Parliamentary Question (PQ) submitted in February 2025 by then-Member Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Masjid Al-Firdaus has been operating on a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) issued by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The land parcel on which the mosque is sited is intended for future development, and further plans will be shared when ready.

 2.           The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) continues to plan and develop mosques to adequately meet the prayer needs of the community. The new mosque in Tengah will have a larger capacity and enhanced facilities to meet future needs. It will also be sited in a more central location with better transport links to better serve Muslims in the area, as well as Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang. To ensure that the community has sufficient prayer spaces, Masjid Al-Firdaus will continue to operate on its current site until the new mosque is completed in the early 2030s.

3.           MUIS will work with the mosque committee on potential plans to preserve Masjid Al-Firdaus’s heritage, such as documenting its history and continuing its traditions in the new mosque. We will continue to work with relevant agencies and local stakeholders to meet the religious needs of the community.