The socio-religious experiences of Muslim migrant workers in Singapore are shaped by factors such as socio-economic status, housing conditions, and their involvement in religious spaces. Mosques play a significant role in providing a sense of community and familiarity, but challenges persist, including employer reluctance to accommodate religious practices and limited religious education opportunities. While some workers, like Omar Sunny, have been able to improve their socio-economic situation through upskilling, there is still much to be done to better integrate migrant workers into the larger Muslim community. Concrete efforts are needed to enhance religious education and foster greater inclusivity.
Muslim Converts in Singapore
The experience of Muslim converts in Singapore is marked by challenges such as managing religious and cultural identities, misconceptions about conversion, and a lack of understanding from both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Converts often face the misconception that embracing Islam means adopting a new cultural identity, particularly a Malay one, despite the fact that Islam is not tied to any ethnicity. The growing acceptance and openness towards converts, especially among younger generations, is partly due to social media exposure and increased interracial marriages. However, the support ecosystem for converts remains underdeveloped, and organisations must collaborate to better address the diverse needs of the converts’ community.
Contemporary Sufism in Singapore
Dr. Muhammad Mubarak Habib Mohammed discusses the growing interest in Sufism within Singapore’s Muslim community, noting the rise of new Sufi groups offering both in-person and online classes. He critiques the use of Western frameworks in studying Sufism, advocating instead for an approach grounded in the Islamic principle of Tawhid and the development of good character. Dr. Mubarak emphasizes the importance of considering both individual and communal dimensions in understanding Contemporary Sufism. He also highlights the influence of local and international Sufi teachers in shaping the practice of Islamic spirituality in Singapore.
Making Sense of Jihad Today and its Relevance to Singapore
By Sheikh Mohamad Farouq Abdul Fareez The command to wage jihad (meritorious struggle or effort) and the reminder against neglecting it appears in many verses of the Quran and the Prophetic traditions. Some consider disregarding this injunction as blasphemous and...
Sunni-Shia Marriages In Singapore: Challenges And Commonalities
Sunni-Shia marriages in Singapore present a unique lens for understanding the subtle intrafaith tensions and the ways in which couples navigate differences in a society that may not tolerate ambiguity. These unions often serve as an informal education for Sunni family members, helping them move beyond stereotypes of Shia beliefs. Couples in these marriages emphasize shared values such as honesty and mutual respect, which provide a foundation for overcoming sectarian divides. Education, both formal and informal, plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and tolerance, as it counters anti-Shia rhetoric and promotes the diversity of Islamic traditions.
Contemporary Salafism in Singapore
Salafism in Singapore is a diverse movement, with various factions and views shaped by different theological, political, and social influences. While some Salafi groups in Singapore focus on socio-political reforms, others lean towards more theological purity or even political engagement, adapting their practices to the local context. The state plays an important role in moderating these views through policies like the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, which influences how Salafism is practiced and perceived. Despite global stereotypes linking Salafism with extremism or Jihadism, Salafism in Singapore is evolving and may diverge from more exclusivist trends seen in other parts of the world.
Book Discussion On Islam In A Secular State: Muslim Activism In Singapore
In Singapore, secularism operates as a political system where the state remains neutral towards all religions, allowing Muslims to navigate the socio-political environment strategically to further their causes. Activists in Singapore, including Islamic scholars, liberal Muslims, and conservative groups, face the challenge of balancing their activism with the state’s interventionist stance, which is aimed at maintaining religious harmony. Dr. Walid Jumblatt Abdullahh emphasized that activism in this context is not purely ideological, as socio-political realities shape religious interpretations and the opportunities available for activism. He proposed that different forms of activism serve essential roles in the system, urging caution in making moral judgments about the legitimacy of activism, in Singapore’s complex political landscape.
Understanding Muslims’ Responses to the Theory of Evolution
By Sheikh Mohamad Farouq Abdul Fareez When Galileo challenged the Church, his geocentric argument was dismissed as it contradicted the mandate of the Church, and more importantly, it challenged the Church’s authority. As the Church held authoritative power, any claims...
Environment, Sustainability and Islam
By Sheikh Mohamad Farouq Abdul Fareez The groundbreaking Netflix documentary Seaspiracy shocked viewers by exposing the widespread corruption within the global fishing industry. It mainly focused on the harmful impact of industrial fishing on the ecosystem and how...
Surrendering of Religion to Technology
By Sheikh Mohamad Farouq Abdul Fareez Modernity has given us unprecedented connectivity to the extent that we can connect families from opposite ends of the world with just a single touch. Unknowingly, modernity has also transformed this connectivity into something...