About the Organisation

About NDIMHC

In its heyday, the memorial was a spiritual centre and a prominent meeting point for the Indian community. With the ease of air travel, the grand activities formerly held in praise of the Saint of Nagore in Singapore and the rest of Asia, have now become centred at Nagore itself, where the saint is interred. Nevertheless, the key tradition of honouring the saint at the memorial on the occasion of his birthday with a 10-day long maulid (birthday celebration) and the raising of flags has never ceased.

The idea of an Indian Muslim Heritage Centre was mooted as early as 1994 when community leaders explored how best to revitalise the memorial which was both a national monument and a wakaf
property.

At the same time, there arose, as part of the national mood, a fervent desire in the community to document and celebrate the Indian Muslim community’s long history, multifaceted heritage, and connections to fellow communities and contributions to the region.

As a tribute to the pioneering contributions to this part of the world by the Chulia Muslims and their brethren from South Asia over more than two centuries, the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre was opened on 29 May 2011 by the 6th President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Mr S R Nathan.

Milestones

1827

– Land was granted to one Kaderpillai and provision was made that no building of wood attap should be erected

1828-1830

– Building of Nagore Dargah Memorial (based colonial records)

– (Other accounts indicate a structure before 1819)

1893

– By court order of 15 June 1893, a board of new trustees were appointed: M Mohamed, V Hameed, S Saiboo Ghany, K Mohamed Ismail and Chinna Tamby

1905

– Nagore Dargah was managed by the Straits Settlement Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board (at that time it was known as the Shahul Hamid Dargah and also Nagore Durgha Shrine)

1974

– Gazetted as a National Monument on 29 November 1974

2011

– Reopened as Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre by President S R Nathan

2020

– ND Society was registered with Registry Of Societies to Manage NDIMHC (Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre)

2021

– 10th Anniversary of Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre

Reference: Singapore’s Heritage – Through Places Of Historical Interest Dhoraisingam S Samuel

The ND Society

In June 2020, the ND Society was registered with the Registrar of Societies. It consists of Board Members appointed by MUIS. In September 2021, ND Society signed a Licence Agreement with MUIS to manage and operate the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre with the main aim of showcasing the history and heritage of the Indian Muslim Community.