Kampung Siglap Mosque is the first in Singapore to have a Fire Control Centre located within its main building.
This is one of the new safety measures included in the restoration and upgrading works after the mosque was gutted by fire on 6 October 2009.
The new feature may also be extended to other mosques, depending on the feasibility.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, said: “If the Fire Control Centre is something which is needed and MUIS have done the evaluation, so be it, but I think there other ways which we can do that.
“The mosque here in Siglap has decided to do so, made their own necessary calculation and I am sure we will learn from their experience and will leave to MUIS and the mosque committee what’s the best approach in dealing with this particular challenge.”
Dr Yaacob visited the mosque on Friday afternoon for the consecration ceremony and Friday prayers.
The Fire Control Centre consists of a multi system CCTV and smoke detectors. And existing timber finishes have been replaced with non-combustible material.
Restoration and enhancement works of the prayer hall and administration building which were affected by the fire were completed at a cost of about $5.6 million.
It was funded through public donations raised by the Kampung Siglap Management Board, Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund as well as an insurance payout of $3.49 million.
Restoration works took about 24 months to complete.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 4 Nov 2011