SINGAPORE — Ramadan Bazaar at Kampong Gelam (also spelled Kampong Glam), the religious and cultural centre of Singaporean Malay Muslims, has been going from strength to strength, attracting not just local Muslims but Singaporean of other ethnic groups, as well as foreign tourists.
Last year saw 1.1 million people visited the bazaar, with its diverse food stalls and shops, 30 percent being foreigners, said Mr Zaki Ma’ Arof, Chairman of One Kampong Gelam during a recent interview with a small group of ASEAN journalists.
Ma’ arof, an affable community leader of this historic Malay district in Singapore (the other two historic and cultural districts being Singapore’s Chinatown and Little India) told us he would be happy to retain the same number of visitors to the bazaar this year, which runs now until the end of the month of Ramadan, or March 25 to be exact.
Properly known as 2025 Gemilang Kampong Gelam, or 2005 Glorious Gelam Village Ramadan Bazaar, the festivities include 120 F&B stalls and shops, cultural performances, games, and the four-minute captivating Sultan Mosque light show every Friday to Sunday evening, stamp rally, mystery treasure hunt, with up to 8,000 Singaporean dollars cash prize to be won weekly, and more.
Kampong Gelam, with the vibrant Haji Lane shops and bars, Turkish and Middle Eastern Food in the vicinity of the Sultan Mosque and authentic Malay food, means many, including foreigners will just come for the exotic and delicious food and ambience. You don’t need to be a Muslim, or a Malay Muslim, to enjoy.
In fact you will probably enjoy the experience, eating and people-watching, more if you are not Singaporean, Muslims, or ethnic Malay, because everything will then be more exotic. Sample Malay or Middle Eastern foods, or even fusion food such as fried satay (yes, you read that right), tacos with beef burger patty, smash burger, or traditional beef rendang, the choice is greater that you can enjoy in a single evening visit alone. It’s most recommended after 7pm onwards, or after Muslims ended their fast, and everything is even more lively.
While there is an exhibition educating non Muslims visitors about Ramadan and Islam, it is not something in your face. They are not there to try to convert you. In fact while this writer was loafing along the hip Haji Lane, a narrow and historic lane which was once filled with inns for Muslims to gather and prepare themselves before departing on a long journey for hajj pilgrimage in Mecca,he encountered two young American Mormon men looking for proselytizing opportunities.
“Tourists bring revenue to the country. In the end, the country will gain, everybody will gain,” Ma’ arof told us, a small group of ASEAN journalists including this writer, who were invited. I asked about last year’s Ramadan Bazaar there, when as a self-financed tourist, I visited the area when the bazaar was very lively one Friday evening in March 2024 and saw a number of zagat boxes, or donation boxes, to help the Palestinian civilians who were displaced, maimed, and killed by the Israeli military, and whether there would also be these boxes again this year.
“We stand neutral. We are [a] very small [country]. Just a red dot,” he said, referring to Singapore as a red dot on the world map, and added that he doesn’t want the Ramadan Bazaar and celebrations here to become politicised.
It’s been six years now since the Singaporean government has stepped in to help to partly fund and promote the bazaar. On February 21, when the bazaar was launched ahead of the Ramadan month, the opening ceremony was graced by National Development Minister Desmond Lee who said heritage businesses, including those at Kampong Gelam, will get more government support to grow and a new task force, which was set up, will help keep traditional trades and crafts alive.
The minister added that heritage businesses in Singapore face numerous challenges including increased competition, rising costs, as well as changing consumer preferences. Indeed, Ma’ arof also mentioned about the kampong cultural tours, popular among students and foreigners alike. He added that Singaporean Malays numbered around 820,000 while the total Singaporean population is 5.9 million. This means maintaining Malay heritage and culture is even more vital.
The area, stressed Ma’ arof, is also relatively affordable compared to other parts of Singapore. There are guest houses as as as four to five star hotels, Our group stayed at
ParkRoyal on Beach Road, just steps away from the Bazaar which is next to Sultan Mosque and was very comfortable.
_____
NOTE: The Bazaar runs from 2pm to late at night daily.
The writer would like to thank One Kampong Gelam, and for the kind invitation. Special thanks to Muse & Motif for organising the trip and ParkRoyal on Beach Road for the accommodation.
____
