Singapore, Islam and Multiculturalism

Imran Ahmed Friends of the Museums January 2013

Singapore: the Post Casino era

Marina Bay Sands: representative of New Singapore? Stresses emerging on the traditional top down way of managing society Labor relations and recent bus drivers strike Debate about Singapores future direction has intensified Increased participation by ordinary citizens in political activity More assertive generation of wealthier, better educated citizens Shift in demographic landscape during last two decades

Friends of the Museums

Some Numbers
Population:
Chinese: Malay: Indian: Other:

5.2 million 74% 13% 9% 4%

Source: Statistics Singapore, Singapore at a Glance. Accessed October 8, 2012. http://app.www.sg/who/default.aspx

Friends of the Museums

More Numbers: Religion

Buddhism: None: Islam: Protestant: Taoism: Catholicism: Hinduism: Other: 33% 17% 15% 11% 11% 7% 5% 1%

Source: Statistics Singapore, Singapore at a Glance. Accessed October 8, 2012. http://app.www.sg/who/default.aspx

Friends of the Museums

Islam: An Introduction

Muslim: one who submits to the will of Allah

Friends of the Museums 5

Islams Five Pillars

Friends of the Museums

The Five Pillars

Belief in the Unity of God and that Mohammad is the last Prophet Pray five times a day Annual alms giving of 2.5% of wealth Fast during the holy month of Ramadan Conduct Hajj, if financially and physically possible, at least once in a lifetime

Friends of the Museums

Sources of Islamic Law

Interpretation of the Quran Interpretation of the Sunnah (practices and traditions of the Prophet and his companions) Ijma: consensus amongst the Ulema (Islamic scholars), collective reasoning Itjihad: Analogical deduction, individual reasoning

Friends of the Museums

Sharia, Like Islam, Varies in Practice

Main schools of Islamic law around the world

Friends of the Museums

Islam in Singapore
Malay in nature: several Malay customs predating Islam remain widely practiced On the fringe of mainstream Islamic world? Dominated by Sunni Islam Predominantly practice Shafi school of Islamic law

Friends of the Museums

10

Administration of Muslim Law Act

Promulgated in 1966, AMLA makes certain aspects of Sharia Islamic law legally binding upon Singaporean Muslims Only religiously inspired legal framework in Singapore AMLAs structure: Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS): apex body (nominated) Sharia Courts Registry of Muslim Marriages Wills and disposition of property according to Faraid AMLA creates tensions with Singapores prevailing civil law Womens Charter Disposition of estate
Friends of the Museums 11

There are deep fault lines in our society, based on race/religion.

Law Minister, K. Shanmugam.

Law Ministers Facebook page as quoted in Singapore Union Exec Fired after Facebook Post, IOL News, October 9, 2012. Accessed October 9, 2012. http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/singapore-union-exec-sacked-after-facebook-post-1.1399198

Friends of the Museums

12

Managing the Fault Lines

Melting Pot approach: a process of consistent integration whereby members of an ethno-cultural group (such as immigrants, or minority groups) are "absorbed" into an established, generally larger community. Mixed Salad or Mosaic approach: [a multi-culture approach which] advocates a society that extends equitable status to distinct cultural and religious groups, no one culture predominating. Multiculturalism generally allows for the extension of legal recognition to specific minority groups.
Source: Multiculturalism versus Assimilation, International Debate Education Association. Accessed on October 8, 2012. http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_Multiculturalism_vs._assimilation
Friends of the Museums 13

Melting Pot or Mixed Salad?

Friends of the Museums

14

Singapores CMIO Paradigm

Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others classifications Significantly, used for allocating public housing by the Housing Development Board Data used by policymakers to formulate targeted programs and policies Creates awareness among different communities but, at times, may also unwittingly create barriers Inculcates pride in own culture by nurturing distinct types of performing arts, literature, etc.
Friends of the Museums 15

Language: Take Your Pick

Friends of the Museums

16

Official Languages
English Malay (also the National Language) Mandarin Tamil
Singapore school system teaches English and mother tongue of student
Friends of the Museums 17

Holidays!

Friends of the Museums

18

Something For Everyone

Celebrations all year round
Merry Christmas Selamat Hari Raya Happy Deepavali Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy Chinese New Year) Vesak Day

Friends of the Museums

19

Aspects of Singaporeanness
Food: roti pratas, meerebus, mee siam, etc. enjoyed by all Singlish: A quintessentially local mixture of English, Malay, Mandarin and Chinese dialects Peranakans: Assimilation of foreigners into local Malay culture? Urban, entrepot culture
Friends of the Museums 20

Categorizing Individuals: Not Always Pain Free

Mainland Chinese versus local Chinese: same or different? Mainland Indians versus local Indians: same or different? Malay-Muslims versus non-Malay Muslims: equating religion with race / culture? Equating race / religion with culture
Friends of the Museums 21

Friends of the Museums

22

CMIO, Islam and the Future

CMIO system highlighted by recent large scale immigration Immigration affecting Islam in Singapore too Elements of Melting Pot visible as New Singaporeans are assimilated into Singaporean lifestyle CMIO approach evolving over time as distinct Singaporean identity progresses, e.g. permitting Double Barrelled identity cards Not perfect but CMIO has helped maintain Singapores mosaic society, so far
Friends of the Museums 23

Thank You!
Imran Ahmed imran@deodaradvisors.com +65 9786 7210

Friends of the Museums

24