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Biography
Syed Abdul Rahman Alsagoff (Arabic: سيّد عبد الرّحمٰن السّقّاف, Saiyid ʿAbd ar-Raḥmān as-Saqqāf) was an Arab businessman in the spice trade, and philanthropist who settled in Singapore. He was a descendant of the Islamic Nabī (Arabic: نَـبِي, Prophet) Muhammad.
Personal life
Alsagoff was born in Hadhramawt, in present-day Yemen, Arabian Peninsula. He was Muhammad's thirty-third direct descendant, and had a son called 'Ahmad'. His residence in Singapore, described as "unusual", was located along Java Road.
Career
Alsagoff arrived in Singapore in 1824, alongside his son. As such, Alsagoff is cited as the "first member of the Alsagoff Family to settle in Singapore". Trading mainly spices, his son later established the Alsagoff Company in 1848. Alsagoff was successful in his career, and "dominated the spice trade in the region". He also promoted the welfare of other people.