Wardah Books is a bookshop specialising in English-language books on Islam, in Kampong Gelam since 2002. Its stock has grown to more than 4,000 titles, from arts, philosophy and regional history to fiction and children’s books. The shop runs book clubs, reading sessions and author talks, a minute’s walk from Masjid Sultan.
At a glance
Neighbourhood
Kampong Gelam
Best for
Browsing books on Islam, regional history and literature
Budget
Free to browse
Time to allow
30 to 60 minutes (suggestion)
Nearest MRT
Bugis (about 10 minutes’ walk)
Good to know
The shop pauses for Friday prayers, 12.45pm to 2pm
Why go?
It’s a specialist independent bookshop on one of Singapore’s most photogenic streets.
The shop’s own essays trace Kampong Gelam’s long history of Muslim printers and booksellers.
What to do
01 · Browse the shelves
Categories run from Arts to Philosophy, Quranic studies to regional history, and fiction to children’s books, according to the shop.
02 · Join a book club or open mic
Wardah runs book clubs, including an Islamic Civilisation Book Club and a children’s club, plus Layl as-Shayr open mic nights; see its site for dates.
Then visit Sultan Mosque at the end of the street.
Plan your visit
Address
Wardah Books, 58 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199474
Opening hours
Mon to Thu 10am to 9pm; Fri 10am to 10pm; Sat 9am to 10pm; Sun 9am to 9pm (pauses 12.45pm to 2pm on Fridays)
Getting there
About 10 minutes’ walk from Bugis MRT; 1 minute from Masjid Sultan’s main entrance
Tickets or booking
Walk in. Book reservations are available on the shop’s site
Accessibility
A shophouse store; check with the shop for step-free access (suggestion)
Before you go
- Hours can differ on public holidays, during Ramadan (daily 10am to 6pm) and Eid.
- Avoid Friday 12.45pm to 2pm, when the shop pauses for prayers.
- Pair it with a walk round the Malay Heritage Centre (suggestion).
Wardah Books
Sources and disclosure
Information checked: 21 October 2026 · Wardah Books – Getting here · Wardah Books – About
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under the licences shown in each caption (images resized): Zairon (CC BY-SA 4.0); Josep M. Gracia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Disclosure: Not a firsthand visit. Details come from the official pages linked below, checked on 21 October 2026. Photos are freely licensed from Wikimedia Commons and show the actual place unless the caption says otherwise. We weren’t paid or hosted, and there are no affiliate links.