Masjid Abdul Gaffoor

Masjid Abdul Gaffoor is a historic mosque located at 41 Dunlop Street in Little India, within the Rochor planning area of Singapore. Originally built in 1859 as a wooden structure and rebuilt in 1907, it was funded by Tamil Muslim merchant Shaik Abdul Gaffoor. Notable for its Indo-Saracenic architecture with Moorish and Southern Indian elements, it was gazetted as a National Monument in 1979 and remains an active place of worship for the Indian Muslim community.

Visitors can expect an active mosque set on Dunlop Street in Little India, featuring a distinctive Indo-Saracenic facade with a prominent sunburst arch, minarets, and detailed Moorish-inspired ornamentation. The exterior, entrance porch and prayer hall can be viewed outside prayer times. The surroundings are urban and bustling, within the Little India heritage district with shops, eateries and other places of worship nearby. The interior is simple and functional for worship, with prayer halls and ablution areas.

The original mosque was a wooden building erected in 1859 to serve South Indian Muslim merchants and labourers in the area. The present building was rebuilt in 1907 through the endowment of Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hyder, a Tamil Muslim merchant and trustee. The architecture reflects Indo-Saracenic style with influences from Moorish and Southern Indian traditions. It was gazetted as a National Monument of Singapore on 5 July 1979.

The mosque has long served the Indian Muslim community, particularly Tamil Muslims, in Little India and remains an active place of worship for daily prayers and religious gatherings. It represents the cultural and religious diversity of the Rochor and Little India area and is recognized for its architectural and community heritage value.