Kampung Smell

I barely made it to the mosque in time for Isyak. Lucky for me they were only half way through. This mosque is located along Pasir Panjang Road next to the Pasir Panjang Post Office. It’s one of the few mosques in Singapore that still has a wooden structure.

It isn’t as big as some of the newer mosques but it’s cosy. One must consider that it sits on a really small plot of land that gets increasingly smaller every time the road next to it gets widened.

The old school sound system, the whispering of the turning fans and the wooden yet painted texture of the walls gave me a nostalgic feel for my grandparents place back in Malaysia. But what really completed the flashback was the smell of an extremely fragrant, super strong, hand-rolled cigarettes being puffed by some “pakcik” at the back of the building during one of the breaks.

The “regulars” were of the slightly older generation. I could tell them apart since they were all in the front row and they were all around the same age. But there were a few other younger ones in the congregation, who had brought their children with them. I have no doubt that this mosque is capable of regenerating jemaah.

The one feature that you will find in a “kampung” environment is the communal sitting and talking area. It’s usually outside the building where occupants & neighbours pass the time chatting. In my uncle’s place its the short stairs outside the house about 3-4 steps high where anyone can sit and chat. My dad’s place utilises a spare piece of plank and 3 upturned pots to rest the plank on. Similarly here there’s a small bench right outside the entrance where jemaah can just sit for a while and catch up. Now that’s unique.

Masjid Hussain Sulaiman: Contact

Masjid Hussain Sulaiman: Address

394, Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118730