A slice of Oman in the heart of the city

Arabian art, dance and poetry flow at launch of redeveloped Muscat Street

By Jennani Durai, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2012

SINGAPORE now has a slice of Oman right in the heart of the city, as the new Muscat Street was unveiled yesterday after being redeveloped to reflect the origin of its name.

Two 8m-high granite arches with ornate Omani carvings now frame the street in Kampong Glam, while granite murals and mosaic artwork line its sides. The street's face-lift, which began in October last year and was completed in July, was a joint initiative between Singapore and the Sultanate of Oman.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam officiated at the launch of the redeveloped street yesterday, together with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Mr Sayyid Badr Hamad Al-Busaidi.



Mr Shanmugam said the idea to rejuvenate Muscat Street was first brought up five years ago by Mr Abdulla Abbas, the former head of the Muscat municipality. "The idea was to rejuvenate the architecture of Muscat Street to reflect its rich historical links," he said. "I am confident that the rejuvenated Muscat Street will enhance the charm of the entire area, and it will see more visitors."

Muscat Street was named in 1909 after the capital of Oman, a country in the Middle East next to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Kampong Glam used to be a hub for traders from the Middle East, and its streets were named after key cities from that region. There is a small community of around 50 Omanis living in Singapore.

The project was managed by both the Muscat Municipality and Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). The URA said Singapore had contributed $2.2 million to the redevelopment; the numbers were not available from the Omani side.

Mr Shanmugam noted that the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1985, but that their links go back further, particularly with regard to their maritime history. "Many of us will remember the excitement and anticipation when the Jewel of Muscat arrived in Singapore," he said. "This project had not only historical significance, but also represented the ingenuity and creativity of Omanis and Singaporeans in working together."

The Jewel of Muscat is a replica of a 9th-century Arab dhow and was built without using a single nail or screw. It was a gift to Singapore from the ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and is now housed at the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium.

Mr Shanmugam added that the relationship between Singapore and Oman was extremely strong at the government level as well as in the private sector. "The Omanis are looking eastward, and our people are looking into the Arabian peninsula," he said. "Oman is a great place to do business. We understand each other because the systems are similar."

Yesterday's event also included a poetry recital by well-known Omani poet Shaikh Muhana Al-Kharusi and a dance performance by the Al-Majd Dance Troupe, both of whom were specially flown in from Oman. Frankincense-filled tents have also been set up along the street and will be there until Monday, displaying the work of Omani artists, calligraphers and photographers.

The minister said he had his own pet project involving the granite murals along the side of Muscat Street, as many visitors would not know the significance behind each depiction.

"I suggest - and it has been agreed - that we digitise the information such that with a smartphone, you can focus it on one point of the mural and it will tell you the history and symbolism," he said. "My hope is that through this, there will be even greater tourism to Oman, both by Singaporeans and people who visit this place."