New Books on Singapore History

A Reverent Journey: Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka

Edited by Sharifah Zahra Aljunied and Syed Abdullah Abdul Rahman Aljunied

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka (2022), 267 pages
Call no.: RSING 297.355957 REV

Founded in 1820 by Arab philanthropist Syed Omar Ali Aljunied, Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka is Singapore’s oldest mosque. The book traces Syed Omar’s travels from Yemen to Palembang and finally to Singapore, where he built a surau (prayer hall). Sharing their stories in this book are the community of Muslims, the founder’s family, Singapore’s leaders and town planners, and heritage buffs.

Albert Winsemius and Singapore: Here It Is Going to Happen

By Euston Quah, with Luke Nursultan Iuldashov and Zach Lee

World Scientific (2022), 966 pages
Call no.: RSING 330.092 QUA

In 1960, Dr Albert Winsemius (1910–96) led the United Nations Development Programme’s first mission to Singapore to advise the government on industrialisation. The book examines his affinity with Singapore, his contributions to the nation’s economic development, his legacy, and his influence on past, current and future economic planners.

Everyday Modernism: Architecture and Society in Singapore

By Jiat-Hwee Chang and Justin Zhuang; photographs by Darren Soh

NUS Press (2023), 352 pages
Call no.: RSING 720.959570904 CHA

Through the lens of social and architectural histories, the book uncovers the many untold stories of Singapore’s modernisation, from the rise of heroic skyscrapers, such as the Pearl Bank Apartments, to the spread of utilitarian typologies like the multistorey car park.

Hinduism in Singapore and the Hindu Endowments Board

Edited by Lavanya Balachandran and Sylvia Koh

Hindu Endowments Board (2022), 313 pages
From PublicationSG

This book tells the stories of early Indian and Hindu settlers to Singapore, the colonial-era culture and architecture, the impact of an administrative Hindu board, and the many festive traditions celebrated at local temples.

ROAR: Football Legends of Singapore

By A. Thiyaga Raju; edited by Gary Koh

Pagesetters Services Pte Ltd (2022), 261 pages
Call no.: RSING 796.334095957 THI

This book documents 100 years of football history from the colonial era to the present day, tracing the development of football in Singapore. It features commentaries by A. Thiyaga Raju on his most memorable moments in Singapore football history.