Institutions need to evolve to changing needs but core values, purpose should endure: Zaqy Mohamad
Zaqy said it is the responsibility of each generation to preserve and renew what has been entrusted to them.
Zaqy Mohamad, the Acting Minister for Muslim Affairs, emphasized during the opening of Jamae Chulia Heritage that institutions and assets must adapt to evolving needs while preserving their core values and purpose. Speaking at the event, Mohamad highlighted the importance of good stewardship, stating that communities must discern what should remain unchanged and what should be modified.
The inauguration of the heritage site, situated on wakaf land entrusted to the mosque by earlier generations, involved a mural depicting the spice journey of early Indian Muslim settlers to Singapore. The development, managed by The Ascott Limited under its lyf Chinatown brand, comprises a 90-key serviced residence, highlighting the fusion of heritage, hospitality, and community spaces.
The Wakaf Revitalisation Scheme, through which Jamae Chulia Heritage was developed, enables wakaf properties to be modernised while retaining their original purpose. Located between Mosque Street and Pagoda Street, the site houses three longstanding Indian Muslim institutions, the Jamae Chulia Mosque, Al-Abrar Mosque, and the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre.
Mohamad praised the foresight of early settlers for building not only livelihoods but also a community. He noted that Singapore's diversity has always been a strength rather than a threat. Warees Investments' Adam Huzaifah Alaiman explained that the development aimed to be a serviced residence with retail spaces, working closely with stakeholders to preserve the heritage and culture of the environment.
West Coast-Jurong West GRC MP Hamid Razak expressed pride in the transformation of the wakaf asset, emphasizing its ongoing benefits for various entities. Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre adviser Nazir Ghani hoped that the heritage panels and mural would educate visitors about the two centuries of community heritage in Singapore.
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