About Haji Hashim Bookstore

A Family Bookstore Since 1922

The story of Haji Hashim Bookstore starts with Haji Hashim bin Abdullah, who opened his first bookstore in the Kampong Gelam area in 1922. From a modest shop along Arab Street, he sold Malay and religious books to students, teachers and families.

In the years that followed, the bookstore grew together with the Malay-language publishing scene. Haji Hashim compiled and supplied textbooks to Malay schools and madrasahs, helping to fill a gap at a time when many students lacked access to proper books.

After his passing in 1968, his children and grandchildren continued the business, opening branches in locations such as Geylang Serai before eventually relocating to the Joo Chiat Complex, where the bookstore is based today.

What You’ll Find at Haji Hashim Today

Today, Haji Hashim Bookstore remains focused on making beneficial knowledge accessible to readers of all ages.

Malay Novels & General Reading

Popular Malay fiction, short stories and general reading that reflect the voices and experiences of the wider Malay world.

Children’s Books & Family Resources

Storybooks, activity books and family guides that help parents introduce Islamic teachings and good values to their children in an engaging way.

Qurans & Islamic Texts

A range of Qurans in Arabic, translation and colour-coded formats, alongside classical and contemporary Islamic books for different levels of study.

Calendars, Gifts & Essentials

Items such as Islamic calendars, small reference booklets and gift-friendly bundles that support everyday worship and learning.

Our Mission & Values

Our mission is to connect people with beneficial knowledge. We aim to provide books, Qurans and learning materials that are authentic, accessible and suited to different stages of learning, from young children and new readers to serious students and teachers.

Continuity: Honouring the legacy of our founders while adapting to new reading habits and platforms.

Benefit: Prioritising titles that are sound in content and helpful for a Muslim’s daily life, worship and character.

Community: Serving the needs of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore and beyond, including students, teachers, families and visitors.

Who We Serve

Families building a home library of Qurans, Islamic books and children’s stories

Over the decades, many different readers have walked through the doors of Haji Hashim Bookstore. Today, we continue to welcome:

Mosques, madrasahs and organisations sourcing books and materials in bulk

Visitors to Singapore seeking meaningful books and gifts from a local Malay/Islamic bookstore

New learners and reverts beginning their journey of studying Islam

Students and teachers looking for textbooks, reference works and supplementary reading

A Living Heritage

Almost a century after it first opened, Haji Hashim Bookstore continues to operate as a family business, now run by the later generations of Haji Hashim bin Abdullah. Despite changes in technology and reading habits, the bookstore remains one of Singapore’s earliest Malay/Islamic bookshops still in operation.

We see the bookstore as more than a shop. It is a small part of Singapore’s Malay heritage and a place where readers can slow down, explore the shelves and rediscover the joy of reading.

Visit our store at Joo Chiat Complex or browse our current picks on Shopee to be part of the next chapter of this story.