Living Conditions of Arab Immigrants

Source 1: A photo of Alkaff House seen in its heydays in 1920s

Reference:

The long and winding road. (2015). Mount Washington, an old world restored. Retrieved from https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/mount-washington-an-old-world-restored/ 

Source 2: An extract of an Arab house in Singapore during the 1930s.

The story runs that an attractive Arab house once stood on the ground and in it lived an Arab and his pretty wife. Three blissful years passed, and then dark clouds gathered on their marital horizon and from that one fateful night, weird things happened in the house. The stately furniture upstairs used to be were discovered scattered on the ground floor. Queer noises were heard in the locked room...

Reference:

The Straits Times. (1933, December 10). Singapore's Supernatural Samsons. Retrieved from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19331210-1.2.43

Source 3: An extract about an incident involving the Arab community.

Two Arab girls were killed and an elderly Indian Mohamedan was seriously injured when three houses collapsed in Arab Street at about 11 o’clock yesterday morning.

The Central Fire Station ambulance received a call from the Rochore Police Station and on arrival there the dresser was told that three houses had collapsed in Arab Street. Dashing to Arab Street, the dresser found that three of a row of old shop-houses, situated opposite the Malay school, had collapsed at the rear.

A very large crowd had gathered in the vicinity but, it is believed, nobody made any attempt to remove the debris, although many in the crowd shouted that several people had been trapped in the falling masonry and timber.

Reference:

Malaya Tribune (1931, July 21). Collapse of Three Houses. Retrieved from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19310721-1.2.30

Source 4: A description of the residence of a prominent Arab, Syed Omar Aljunied

Syed Omar made his home in the heart of town. The ground “extends along North Bridge Road from North Boat Quay to High Street, close to Elgin Bridge”, covering almost an acre. Syed Omar treasured the High Street property and instructed in his will that the house should remain within the family forever. However, the Aljunied family residence was put up for sale in 1919 for over a million dollars.   

Reference:

Infopedia. (2016). Syed Omar Aljunied. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_847_2004-12-29.html

Source 5: A brief history of the Alkaffs family in Singapore during the 19th century.

The Alkaffs was a family of great traders whose ancestors arrived in Singapore from Yemen in 1852. The Alkaffs had a lucrative business between India and Indonesia, in spices, coffee and sugar.

Located in the serene Telok Blangah Hill Park, Alkaff Mansion was built primarily as a retreat for the family and to entertain their guests. It became known for hosting high society parties in the 1930s.

The two-storey Tudor-styled bungalow looked out on a 19-hectare park and during that time, commanded a sweeping view of Keppel Harbour. The hill was then believed to be the highest point in Singapore on which a bungalow sat.

In 1926, renovation works were carried out to increase the mansion’s built-in area to its current configuration. In the 1930s, Alkaff Mansion became widely known as a gathering place for notable members of society.

Reference:

Alkaff (2020). About. Alkaff, Retrieved from https://www.alkaff.com.sg/about/#history

Source 6: A poisoning incident that involved an Arab family.

On Sunday evening last, a Javanese called at a house situated at 36 Bencoolen Street occupied by an Arab merchant, and tendered a quantity of meat and curry stuffs saying that they were sent by a relative. The Arab was inclined to be suspicious, but, nevertheless, he took the edibles, and his wife and family ate them shortly afterwards, but the man did not touch the food at all.

Reference:

Straits Times Weekly Issue. (1892, July 5). Poisoning in Singapore. Retrieved from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/stweekly18920705-1.2.14

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