House of Al-Kaff

The first recorded arrival of Al-Kaff was in the year 1852.{{Where|date=May 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Venkat |first=Naveen |date=2018-08-10 |title=The OG Crazy Rich Asians Of Singapore Came From The Arab Community |url=https://mustsharenews.com/crazy-rich-asians-singapore/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=MS News - Independent News For Singaporeans |language=en-GB}}{{Cite book |last=L. Peet |first=George |title=Rickshaw Reporter |publisher=Eastern Universities Press |year=1985 |location=Singapore}}{{Cite web |title=When Alkaff House was a household word |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890104.2.71.10.1 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240901154045/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19890104.2.71.10.1 |archive-date=2024-09-01 |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}} They hailed from the coast of Yemen. One of the first members of the family to arrive on the shores of Singapore was Shaikh Alkaff, whom the family is mostly named after.{{Cite web |last=S. Samuel |first=Dhoraisingam |title=The Alkaff Mansion |url=https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/print_article.php?focusId=267}} The Alkaffs, who were formerly spice traders, earned a reputation for their wealth which they spent on the construction of buildings such as houses, mansions and mosques.Betty L. Khoo (9 June 1972), "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19720609-1.2.72.1 The Arabs’ Former Splendour]", New Nation.

In 1909, the Al-Kaff Arcade at Collyer Quay was erected, with funding from the Alkaffs themselves. In 1918, they built the al-Kaff Mansion which is located at Telok Blangah. Aside from commercial and residential buildings, the al-Kaff family also funded the construction of mosques including the Masjid al-Kaff Upper Serangoon, the 68th national monument of Singapore.{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/malayansatpost19321217-1.2.55|title=The Alkaff Mosque; Malayan SAT Post.|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=2018-12-01}} They also owned some land within the Bidadari Cemetery and built a mosque within the space owned by them for Muslim congregants at the cemetery.

In terms of social relations, the Alkaffs had friendly relations with the American-born citizens living in Singapore. They fraternized with other businessmen, including Rajabali Jumabhoy, a founding member of the Singapore Indian Association. The Alkaffs also had relations with the Alsagoffs, which was another Singaporean Arab family.

After World War II, the Alkaffs suffered from financial losses and hence were forced to sell off some of their properties, including the al-Kaff Mansion.{{Cite web |last=Seow |first=Renee |title=Alkaff Mansion |url=https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=9c0a34bc-2b4f-47bf-b878-788d1ded1096 |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.nlb.gov.sg}}

Sayyid Abubakr bin Shaikh Al-Kaff (c. 1890–1965), who was a Yemeni pacifist and philanthropist. In 1936, Al-Kaff assisted British colonial administrator Harold Ingrams in brokering a three-year truce between warring Qu'aiti and Kathiri tribes.{{Cite web |last=Ducker |first=John |date=August 2003 |title=In Memoriam: Sayyid Abubakr bin Shaikh Al-Kaff KBE |url=https://al-bab.com/albab-orig/albab/bys/articles/ducker03.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527081600/https://al-bab.com/albab-orig/albab/bys/articles/ducker03.htm |archive-date=27 May 2023 |website=The British-Yemeni Society}}

{{main|Alkaff Arcade}}

The al-Kaff Arcade, built in 1909 by the Alkaffs, was a Moorish-style shopping center along Collyer Quay. Designed by Donald McLeod Craik, it featured onion domes and a Victorian facade, making it a waterfront landmark. Sold in 1973 and demolished in 1978, its site is now home to the modern Arcade complex.

{{main|Alkaff Mansion}}

al-Kaff Mansion is a colonial-era bungalow in Singapore, built in 1918 and located at Telok Blangah. It had two stories and it was where the Alkaffs hosted events and parties. Abandoned after World War II, it was subsequently restored in the 1980s and has since served as a restaurant and event venue.

{{main|Alkaff Gardens}}

The al-Kaff Gardens were established in the 1930s as a Japanese garden and served as a tourist attraction as well.{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19300120-1.2.57|title=A Painful Surprise|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=2018-12-07}} It was demolished in 1964 in order to build more schools to make educational facilities more accessible for children islandwide.{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19640523-1.2.101.5|title=Vanishing parkland at Alkaff 'Gardens'|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=2018-12-07}}{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19640606-1.2.67.42.1|title=When trees must make way for new schools|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=2018-12-01}} However, the residential area west of the former park site has been named after the Alkaffs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/first-bto-of-2016-alkaff-oasis-in-bidadari-features-slew-of-green-initiatives|title=First BTO of 2016: Alkaff Oasis in Bidadari features slew of green initiatives|last=Lee|first=Min Kok|date=2016-02-24|website=The Straits Times|access-date=2018-12-19}}

{{main|Masjid Alkaff Upper Serangoon}}

Masjid al-Kaff Upper Serangoon was established in 1920 but ultimately completed in 1932.{{Cite web |title=Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque |url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/places/places-landing/Places/national-monuments/alkaff-upper-serangoon-mosque |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.roots.gov.sg |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=National Monuments Of Singapore: Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque |url=https://wonderwall.sg/places/national-monuments-of-singapore-alkaff-upper-serangoon-mosque |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Wonderwall |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque {{!}} learnislam |url=https://learnislam.sg/mosque/alkaff-upper-serangoon-mosque/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |language=en-US}} The construction of the mosque was funded by the Alkaffs, while the mosque itself was designed by notable architecture firm, Swan & MacLaren. The mosque was also gazetted as the 68th national monument of Singapore in 2014{{Cite web |title=Speech by Minister Lawrence Wong at the Architectural Heritage Awards |url=https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/speeches/view/speech-by-minister-lawrence-wong-at-the-architectural-heritage-awards |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.mnd.gov.sg}}{{Cite web |title=Four projects recognised at Architectural Heritage Awards |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/four-projects-recognised-architectural-heritage-awards |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=TODAY |language=en}} before winning an award for its architecture in 2015.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-01-04 |title=Alkaff Mosque Upper Serangoon - URA Architectural Heritage Award 2015 |url=https://www.shingatelier.com/alkaff-mosque-upper-serangoon-ura-architectural-heritage-award-2015/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Shing Design Atelier |language=en-US}}

Built in 1932, the Masjid al-Kaff stood at Kaki Bukit, a district now part of the Bedok neighbourhood.{{Cite news |date=30 July 1995 |title=New Masjid Alkaff Mosque completed |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950730.2.10.9 |work=The Straits Times |pages=3}}{{Cite news |date=5 March 1982 |title=Mosque to Come Up in Bedok to Replace Alkaff |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19820305-1.2.42.5 |work=The Straits Times |pages=10}}{{Cite news |date=29 July 1995 |title=Masjid Alkaff dirasmi petang ini |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19950729-1.2.27.2?qt=masjid,%20alkaff,%20kampung,%20melayu&q=Masjid%20Alkaff%20Kampung%20Melayu%20 |work=Berita Harian |pages=12}} Construction of the mosque was financed by Syed Ahmad al-Kaff as well as Bugis merchant, Ambo Sooloh.{{Cite news |date=23 December 1994 |title=Masjid Alkaff hilang berganti |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19941223-1.2.29.6?qt=masjid,%20alkaff,%20kampung,%20melayu&q=Masjid%20Alkaff%20Kampung%20Melayu%20 |work=Berita Harian |pages=16}} Due to redevelopment projects in the Bedok area, Masjid al-Kaff was demolished in the 1980s.{{Cite web |title=Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu {{!}} learnislam |url=https://learnislam.sg/ms/mosque/masjid-alkaff-kampung-melayu/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |language=ms-MY}} However, it was replaced by Masjid al-Kaff Kampung Melayu that was officialized in 1995.

Former residents of Bedok described the now-demolished Masjid al-Kaff as resembling a Hindu temple in architectural style. An [https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19941223-1.2.29.6?qt=masjid,%20alkaff,%20kampung,%20melayu&q=Masjid%20Alkaff%20Kampung%20Melayu%20 image of the old mosque can be seen in a 1994 article.]

Masjid Bidadari, or the Bidadari Mosque, was built in 1932 with funding from a member of the Alkaffs.{{Cite news |date=27 June 1932 |title=New Mosque |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19320627-1.2.101 |work=The Straits Times |pages=6}}{{Cite news |date=8 May 2007 |title=Shame to demolish old Bidadari Mosque |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20070508-1.2.52.8 |work=The Straits Times |pages=36}} The mosque served congregants and worshippers at the Bidadari Cemetery. In 2007, the mosque was demolished during the exhumation and relocation of Bidadari Cemetery in order to establish the Bidadari residential estate.

• Alsagoff family
• Aljunied family
• List of mosques in Singapore

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Category:Singaporean people of Yemeni descent