01 April 2019
Interreligious Relations (IRR) Issue 3 – Islam and Secularism in Singapore: Between Embracement and Belief
Abstract:
Singaporean Muslims have always lived in a secular state and participated fully in its institutions even though they are sceptical towards the reconcilability of secularism with Islam. A study is being undertaken to ascertain if the embracement of the secular state ideology bears out of pragmatism rather than Islamic beliefs. Thirty-seven asatizah (Islamic preachers and prayer leaders) who are traditionally the socio-religious influencers of religious life, were interviewed as part of the study. This paper captures their thoughts of secularism as a philosophy, their religious perspectives of living in a secular state, and their justification to suspend the application of Shariah laws.
Abstract:
Singaporean Muslims have always lived in a secular state and participated fully in its institutions even though they are sceptical towards the reconcilability of secularism with Islam. A study is being undertaken to ascertain if the embracement of the secular state ideology bears out of pragmatism rather than Islamic beliefs. Thirty-seven asatizah (Islamic preachers and prayer leaders) who are traditionally the socio-religious influencers of religious life, were interviewed as part of the study. This paper captures their thoughts of secularism as a philosophy, their religious perspectives of living in a secular state, and their justification to suspend the application of Shariah laws.
