Arab Traders

In the 15^th
century, during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, many Arab merchants came to
Melaka. The Sultan’s policy of caring for the welfare of traders who came to
Melaka especially the Arab Muslim traders, encouraged more arrivals. According
to Tom Pires, merchants from Arabia, Persia, Asia Minor, and Ethiopis formed a
company to trade in Melaka. It was estimated that at the end of each year,
there would be about four to five ships from the Arab which would trade in
Melaka.

Melaka
strategic location made her a prosperous trade center where goods from the East
and West were brought, gathered and traded. Among the items which were traded
were glassware, oils, beads, corn, clove, silk, weapons, copper, tin, lime and
raw materials which were taken to the Arab world.

Some of
these traders stayed on in Melaka to spread the word of Islam to the people of
Melaka as to other traders. Thus, Melaka not only became the center of trade,
but also the center of Islam in the region.

For more, visit Muzium Kesultanan Melaka