Chapter 19 Islamic heritage in Singapore

Abstract

This chapter discusses the impact of tourism on the Kampong Glam Islamic heritage site in Singapore. For tourism development purposes, the main artery of the district was converted into a pedestrian mall. Planners tried to connect contemporary marketing initiatives for Islamic heritage with the historic role of Kampong Glam as a pilgrim destination, and attempted to legitimize the intense interventions. Despite these efforts, the rapidly induced changes have caused alienation of parts of the local Muslim community from the district. The chapter portrays the challenge to showcase Kampong Glam as a center of Singapore's Islamic heritage for interested tourists, while retaining the district's role as a homestead for the local Muslim minority.

Citation

Tantow, D. (2010), "Chapter 19 Islamic heritage in Singapore", Scott, N. and Jafari, J. (Ed.) Tourism in the Muslim World (Bridging Tourism Theory and Practice, Vol. 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 303-319. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2042-1443(2010)0000002022