Built in 1820, this was the first mosque and house of prayer in Singapore. It has been rebuilt twice: once in 1855 and again in 1981-82. Situated on the southern bank of the Singapore River, Kampong Malacca was designated for Muslims by Sir Stamford Raffles in his 1822 Town Plan. As a result, Arabs, Jawi-Peranakans, Indonesians and Malays gravitated there. Its heritage is reflected in the vibrant architectural styles that can be found in the area, some of which are still evident today.
This mosque was the effort of Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied, an Arab merchant from Palembang. His son, Syed Abdullah bin Omar Aljunied, was responsible for the 1855 rebuilding. The Aljunied family was best remembered for their charitable acts in supporting schools, hospitals and mosques, as well as sponsoring religious events. These philanthropic deeds were recognised in the naming of Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque after its founder, the naming of Aljunied Road and Syed Alwi Road (Syed Alwi was the descendant of Syed Omar).
A new paved road through Kampong Malacca brought worshippers from the surrounding area in 1855. With a bigger congregation, the original timber mosque was not large enough. A larger and sturdier brick structure was built in the same year to accommodate the mosque's growing needs.
In 1981-82, after more than one hundred and sixty years, new features were added to the mosque. Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque, unlike other mosques in Singapore, had no minaret. It was only in 1985 that a tall minaret with a small roof dome was added at the entrance of the mosque.
The mosque has remained intact since it was last refurbished. A simple attractive building amidst modern skyscrapers, it is well complemented by its surrounding environment. With a seating capacity of 1000 people, it is the focal point of office workers during daily and Friday prayers.
Owned by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Marked as a historic site by the National Heritage Board on November 11 2001.