Void Deck Mosques

Muslim elders sit across a child and his father at the entrance of a cordoned void deck area under an apartment block in the Jurong district of Singapore, 30 June 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Volunteers prepare food for the breaking of the fast underneath a tented section next to a sheltered common area, pictured against high rise residential apartments in the Choa Chu Kang district of Singapore, 29 June 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Muslims performing their evening terawih prayers under a sheltered common area in the Choa Chu Kang district of Singapore, 29 June 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Muslim women are separated by a cloth divider away from the men as they perform their evening terawih prayers under a sheltered common area in the Choa Chu Kang district of Singapore, 29 June 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Silhouettes of Muslims on a tarpaulin sheet as they bow and prostrate while performing their evening terawih prayers at a cordoned void deck area under an apartment block in the Jurong district of Singapore, 30 June 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

A woman walks past Muslims performing their evening terawih prayers at a cordoned void deck area under an apartment block in the Jurong district of Singapore, 30 June 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Muslims seen through a make-shift door frame as they perform their evening terawih prayers under a sheltered common area in the Woodlands district of Singapore, 01 July 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Muslims bow as they perform their evening terawih prayers on a grass patch in between high rise apartment blocks in the Woodlands district of Singapore, 01 July 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

A slow shutter image shows Muslims bowing as they perform their evening terawih prayers on a grass patch amongst apartment blocks in the Woodlands district of Singapore, 01 July 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

A motorcycle passes by Muslims performing their evening terawih prayers below an apartment block in the Bedok district of Singapore, 03 July 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

A woman folds a carpet along a corridor as Muslims perform their evening terawih prayers under a tent at an apartment block in the Bedok district of Singapore, 03 July 2016.

Void Deck Mosques

Muslim women pictured around a drink dispenser after performing their evening terawih prayers below an apartment block in the Bedok district of Singapore, 03 July 2016.

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to perform 'terawih' or evening congregational prayers after they break their fast at dusk. Spaces such as this void deck below residential apartments, or sheltered common areas, are cordoned off and reserved for a month so that Muslims have a space nearby their homes to gather in the evening to perform their terawih prayers. The operational and logistic needs of running these spaces are typically met by volunteers who reside nearby, with mosques only helping out with any financial or administrative difficulties the volunteers might face. In some cases, an imam or ustaz, religious leaders or scholars, might be provided from a district mosque if the community is unable to find an individual who can take up the role of leading the prayer sessions.These community-run spaces relieve the demands on mosques to cater for the Muslim populace during Ramadan and are a more convenient option for older Muslims as well as fostering better and encourage bonding amongst the community through their faith.