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Designing The Al-Islah Mosque

Singapore studio Formwerkz Architects took references from traditional Islamic design to create the intricately patterned and moulded surfaces of this mosque.

The Al-Islah Mosque by Formwerkz Architects caters for the Muslim population of Punggol, a densely populated neighbourhood in north-east Singapore.

The area is currently undergoing significant redevelopment, with the Singapore Institute of Technology due to relocate to a new campus near a waterfront park by LOOK Architects and high-rise housing being erected to accommodate the rising population.

The mosque is segmented into three volumes – a prayer hall, an Islamic education centre and an administration block – to give the structure a more domestic scale within the built-up area.

These blocks are linked by a series of elevated and landscaped terraces that are open to the public.

“The new mosque aspires to be a model of openness, reflective of contemporary Islamic aspirations in Singapore,” said architect Alan Tay. “This ambition for the openness posed much challenges in view of the tight site and its proximity to the neighbouring flats.”

“Physical porosity allows a visual connection to the neighbourhood and extends its spatial field beyond its boundary but poses the issues of sanctity and threshold expected of a mosque.”

Latticed screens form walls and the dome over the prayer hall, to enhance the feeling openness while also providing ventilation and natural lighting for the spaces within.

The reinforced concrete structures are covered with sand-coloured textured paint. Elements such as the dome, arched doorways and a slender minaret are picked out in dark grey paintwork.

“The basic arabesque pattern and arches are influenced by traditional Islamic forms,” explained studio co-founder Alan Tay. “The arches are designed to allow a wider span in the prayer hall and cantilever in the main entrance foyer.”

The 3,700-square-metre mosque can accommodate up to 4,500 worshippers at any one time, with service areas including an underground car park all designed to be used as extensions of a domed prayer hall.

The prayer hall has open sides that allow the congregation to spill into adjacent spaces during peak worship times. These areas are shielded from the weather by a large overhanging canopy.

“In peak periods, most of the floor space – with the exception of bathrooms, admin space and service rooms – is utilised for prayer,” Tay told Dezeen. “Corridors, classrooms, roof terraces and even the basement car park double up as prayer spaces.”

“With no boundary walls and minimum enclosing wall, the worship hall is visually and physically accessible on all sides, blurring the distinction between the mosque premise and the street,” he added.

Related content: more mosque architecture

“Collectively, the blocks with the minaret exude a dignified and subliminal presence while embracing the community spirit.”

Formwerkz Architects was founded by Alan Tay, Berlin Lee and Seetoh Kum Loon in 1998. Past projects include a house-shaped extension that cantilevers over a swimming pool and a concrete residence covered with plants.

Photography is by Albert Lim and Fabian Ong.

Project credits:

Architects: Formwerkz Architects
Project team: Alan Tay, Seetoh Kum Loon, Iskandar Idris, Stephen Lim, Liu Zheng Hao, April Tan, Makhasiri Khanoei, Livina Rahmayanti, Alicia Lazzonroni, Rafael Aronso, Foo Yuet Yee, Fabian Ong, Tan Shuat Zhen, Qistina, Wang Chen Fong
Client: MUIS
Project manager: CPG Construction Professionals
C&S engineer: AECOM Singapore
M&E engineer: AECOM Singapore
Landscape architect : Salad Dressing
Quantity surveyor: Surbana International Consultants
Builder: GTMS

Diagrams – click for larger image

Axonometric diagram – click for larger image

Section one – click for larger image

Source: www.dezeen.com

September 17, 2015
Najib Razak Terharu Sambutan Himpunan Baju Merah

KUALA LUMPUR – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menyampaikan rasa terharunya terhadap sambutan diberikan peserta himpunan baju merah yang berlangsung di ibu kota, hari ini.

Perkara dimaklumkan, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno, Tan Sri Annuar Musa dalam ucapannya berkata, pemimpin nombor satu negara itu juga menyampaikan salam kepada semua peserta yang terlibat dalam himpunan itu.

“Saya baru dapat panggilan daripada perdana menteri yang berkirim salam kepada tuan-tuan dan puan-puan semua pihak sini.

“Beliau dan Timbalan Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) melahirkan rasa terkejut dan terharu dengan perhimpunan yang seaman dan sebesar ini dilakukan rakyat. Terima kasih semua,” katanya ketika berucap di hadapan peserta himpunan di Padang Merbok, hari ini.

Menurutnya, himpunan yang didakwa menerima kebenaran daripada pihak berkuasa itu menjadi medan himpunan satu bangsa dan umat yang tercatat dalam sejarah.

“Inilah bangsa yang penuh toleransi. Inilah bangsa yang sanggup berkongsi segala-galanya. Inilah bangsa yang boleh korban apa sahaja, terima sesiapa saja, kerjasama dengan sesiapa sahaja, selagi mana mereka tidak menjadi harbi.

“Walaupun mereka tidak sama Syahadah dengan kita, bangsa lain, budaya lain, sejarah telah membuktikan bahawa kita sanggup bersama dengan satu syarat, jangan kedudukan kita dipertikaikan, jangan kedudukan Melayu dipersoalkan dan jangan hak kita dipersendakan,” katanya.

Menurutnya lagi, himpunan tersebut bukan sekadar satu pesta biasa namun perlu dijadikan peringatan kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

“Negara dan kerajaan ini bertuan. Barang siapa yang mengugat di luar daripada saluran dan kaedah, kita akan bangkit dan menentang habis-habisan. Hari ini hanya satu permulaan kebangkitan,” katanya.

Dalam ucapan sama beliau membacakan empat belas resolusi yang telah disusun pihaknya.

1. Mertahanan demokrasi berparlimen yang luhur.

2. Memupuk perasaan hormat, cinta dan kesepaduan bangsa Malaysia.

3. Rakyat bersatu pertahanan kestabilan negara.

4. Rakyat bersatu menolak chauvinis perkauman ala DAP.

5. Tolak campur tangan individu atau negara asing dalam hal ehwal negara.

6. Tolak himpunan ala Bersih 4.0 yang biadab.

7. Tolak penghinaan terhadap agama Islam yang merupakan agama rasmi Persekutuan.

8. Menyokong kerajaan terus berusaha hadapi masalah ekonomi negara dan rakyat

9. Mempertahankan kesatuan dan kedudukan Melayu dan bumiputera serta semua kaum di Malaysia.

10. Mempertahanan kerajaan pilihanraya

11. Mempertahanan prinsip rukun negara

12. Menolak politik fitnah terancang terhadap pimpinan negara.

13. Menolak percubaan mengguling kerajaan yang dipilih secara demokrasi

14. Mengembalikan semula Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA)

Source: www.malaysiandigest.com

September 17, 2015
Body Of Missing DPP Kevin Morais Found By Malaysian Police In Oil Drum Filled With Concrete

The remains of a Malaysian deputy public prosecutor abducted nearly two weeks ago on his way to work were found on Wednesday (Sept 16) in an oil drum filled with concrete in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

The police made the grisly discovery at around 6am after they detained a military doctor – the main suspect in Mr Kevin Morais’ abduction – who led them to the swamp where the body was found, Bernama news agency reported.

“The oil drum was found in the swamp after divers went in to confirm it,” said Federal Criminal Investigation Division director Mohmad Salleh, according to The Star daily. “A forklift was used to hoist the oil drum out so that work could be carried out to retrieve the body.”

Fire and Rescue Department officers opened the concrete-filled barrel to recover the body, which was wrapped in a gunny sack.

Six other people, including a woman and a child believed to be unrelated to the case, as well as the doctor, were taken in by police on Tuesday.

Mr Morais, 55, deputy chief of the Appellate and Trial Division at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, was reported missing on Sept 4 after he left his Menara Duta apartment in Kuala Lumpur to go to his office in Putrajaya. Police later confirmed he was abducted, based on a video-capture of a road in the city.

“Initially, CCTV footage showed that Morais’ car was trailed by a Mitsubishi Triton that rammed into his government-issued Proton Perdana,” Commissioner Mohmad told the media. “He was abducted after the collision and a suspect drove off with Morais’ car while he was taken away in the Mitsubishi Triton.”

Datuk Seri Mohmad added that the 52-year-old main suspect, head of the pathology and laboratory department who was said to hold the rank of colonel, was involved in a corruption case that was prosecuted by Mr Morais in Shah Alam recently. “We believe the other suspects were contracted by this suspect to kidnap him,” said the commissioner.

Police believe Mr Morais was killed in the Mitsubishi pick-up truck before his body was placed in a gunny sack and sealed with cement inside the oil drum, according to The Rakyat Post.

A Mitsubishi Triton that investigators believe was used to hit the victim, two other vehicles – a Honda Accord and Proton Persona – and RM32,100 (S$10,500) in cash have been seized as evidence.

Police are also investigating a burnt car that had its vehicle chassis and engine numbers filed off. It was found on Sept 6 near an oil plantation in Perak. Police suspect it was driven by Mr Morais on the day he was abducted.

His body was taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Speaking outside the mortuary yesterday, the victim’s brother, Datuk Richard Morais, described him as a “strict man” who lived for his job and the law, The Star reported. “He was a secretive person. He was very professional about his work. He didn’t share (details of his work) with his family members.”

But his brother added that “this is not a normal death… Everybody knows this was case-related”.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

September 17, 2015
Monster Uncle Who Sexually Abused 5 year Old Niece Jailed

A former delivery truck driver was on Wednesday (Sept 16) jailed 6 1/2 years for sexually abusing his niece.

He made the then five-year-old girl masturbate him, and also perform oral sex on him in his room.

In one of the incidents, the victim’s younger sister, who was then four, saw what had happened.

But when the sisters tried to tell their grandmother about the abuse, she did not believe them and scolded them for making things up.

The offences happened between 2006 and 2007, in a flat in the central part of Singapore where the victim’s grandmother lived with her uncle.

The girls were being looked after by their grandmother as their mother did shift work.

We cannot name the accused because of a gag order protecting the identity of the victim.

Source: www.tnp.sg

September 17, 2015
PAP Voter: I Did Not Vote PAP Out Of Fear

To the oppies,

I did not vote for PAP out of fear. I voted for PAP because your ideas did not take into account of global trends.

I did not vote for PAP thinking they can resolve the problems of the world, I do expect them to make the transition more painless for Singaporeans.

If Foreign Talent is to get the job, at least allocate enough money for Singaporeans to upgrade their skills so that they can remain competitive.

I did not vote for PAP because I liked them, I voted for PAP because I think for now they can do the job best. The rest just talk (and anyone can do that).

In fact, I feel that Worker’s Party fashion sense seems to be better. At least there are some colours. White shirts easy to get dirty, hard to maintain.

I am aware that our government may have lost some money in some investment, but I think that is part of the game of investment.

As long as the investment is not lost through dishonesty but through inevitable global / market / business trends, I am fine.

I don’t think I deserve to receive any part of the reserves, I am just wondering why do the oppies feel so dignified and justified that they deserve our reserves.

The reserves (through our fixed asset) should be used for the betterment of our country, provide infrastructural framework for our learning, leisure & work.

I feel very amused that the oppies say that the whole country is against 6.9 million white paper, but I am very happy with the white paper.

There are people who say I am happy with the white paper because I am a businessman and will benefit by having more customers in the country.

Actually that is true as well, but what is more true is that with more population, it will drive business cost down, and some business will provide services / products affordably to the less well off segment.

With no big population to support businesses, no businesses can afford to help the poor. The oppies are understanding this so so wrong.

It is true that higher population will drive certain segment’s goods prices up, but it will also drive certain products and services’ prices down as well.

Higher population is good for the poor.

The oppies, think again of those people voting for the white uniformed PAP. It is not because we are upper class and want to maintain our edge over the poorer half of the population.

We are voting for PAP because it will take care of the whole country. The oppies need to polish up their plans.

And don’t get me started on the CPF problem. Yes, it is true that the government is increasing the age to withdraw CPF, and there is a logical reason to it, we are living longer.

Also, as a funding guy, I have seen millions of dollars or hundreds of thousands at one shot. Most people in the working class has never held 100-200k in their hands before, what do you think would happen when they hold that amount of money?

The money would be squandered. Cheated by some younger women / men. The country is doing you a favour by safeguarding for you.

If you know how to handle the finance, the minimum sum of 100+ K is not going to make a difference to your lifestyle. If you do not know how to handle finance, then the 100+ K is better off safeguarded by the government of Singapore.

Thanks.

Yours Loyally,

Source: Raymond Ng

September 17, 2015