THE HADHRAMI ARABS IN MALAYA BEFORE THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Abstract: This article
highlights the history of the Hadhramis from Hadhramaut, Yemen in the nineteenth
and twentieth century in Malaya. The
Hadhramis appertained to the Sayyid Alawiyyah and claimed themselves as the
descendants of the Prophet Muhammad SAW through his grandson Hussain. In
general, Malays respectably looked upon all Arabs particularly the Sadah as
they were believed as the inheritors of Islamic preaching. For this article,
records from archives as well as academic works were used as reference. According
to the archives sources, the Hadhramis who were the majority of the born Arabs
or Peranakan Arab of non-Arab mothers managed to do well in their lives even though
they were in a small number. They played a significant role in the society and managed
to succeed in the economy and political undertaking in Malaya. Thus, being a minority
group of immigrants
did not hinder
the Hadhramis from
prospering in Malaya, and many of
them were involved in trade and business ventures as well as real estate. In
fact, nowadays they have become part of the Malay community and are identified
as Malays.
Author: Latifah Abdul
Latiff
Journal Code: jpsejarah&umumgg140008
