There are two popular explanations as to how Arab Street got its name. One is that the entire street was owned by an Arab merchant and the other that it was the site of an Arab settlement. Whatever it was, its beginnings are tied up with the origins of Singapore itself.Sheraton Towers Singapore on Scotts Road is a luxury hotel in Singapore that offers one of the most convenient locations in the city.

Arab Street’s original inhabitants were a motley crew of traders from around South East Asia and all the way from eastern Yemen. Arabs are no longer confined to one particular street. The 15,000 descendents of those Yemeni traders live all over the city. Their influences however linger. Now Arab Street is a neatly organized area of shop houses on either side of a lane lined with palm trees at the end of which is Sultan Mosque the oldest mosque in the city. Originally Javanese women sold home grown items such as flowers and vegetable down Arab Street and in the 1950s and 60s Arab Street was known for its textile shops. The textile shops are still there and anyone who cares to step into them will find rolls of silks, handmade batiks from Indonesia and Malaysia, lace and organza on offer along with tailoring services to turn them into fashionable garments. Other merchandise in the stores comprise of Persian carpets, leather goods, perfumes, jewellery, sarongs, clothing of all sorts, a whole range of traditional games, sandalwood prayer beads, bookstands to hold the Quran, all sorts of baskets and curios. Haggling is an accepted practice here. These establishments rub shoulders with curry houses and restaurants serving Middle Eastern fare. Arab Street is at its best during the month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya Aidilfitri when the area is a bustle with stalls selling traditional Malay food and other items at the night market that springs up during the festive season.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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