The first mosque on this site was built in 1824–1826 at the order of Sultan Hussein Shah, then rebuilt between 1925 and 1932 to designs by architect Denis Santry, with golden domes and minarets. It was gazetted a national monument in 1975 and remains the centre of religious life for Singapore's Muslims.

It stands on Muscat Street and welcomes visitors outside prayer times, with robes provided.