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Bordering Little India, the Arab Quarter is the result of a land allocation given by Sir Stamford Raffles to Sultan Hussein Mohammed Shah, the Malay ruler of Singapore in the 1820’s.
The area originally known as Kampong Glam began to attract Arab traders and other settlers such as the Javanese, Malays, Bugis and Sumatrans and with them the creation of a commercial centre.
Clothing Advert Today it is Arab Street, which attracts tourists eager to see yet another ethnic quarter in Singapore. Here it is the shops that provide most of the interest with every conceivable handmade basket or item of leather, batik or tablecloth for sale. The Sultan Mosque is a remarkable building; a huge golden dome adorns a building of immaculate architecture, the most revered Muslim temple in Singapore. It should be noted that the main prayer room is out of bounds for non- Muslims. In true Singapore fashion the Arab Quarter is home to temples from other religions, the Sri Krishnan Hindu temple backs onto the Kwan Im Tong Hood Cho Buddhist temple on Waterloo Street where Hindus and Buddhists can be seen praying at either temple. |