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Reflections on being Muslim and S'porean
Our sister newspapers, Berita Harian and Berita Minggu, ran numerous commentaries in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks on Muslim Singaporeans in his recent book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going. We carry below edited excerpts from some of the commentaries. Translated by Norzulriyah Haron
Common and private spaces
THE issue of common and private spaces often surfaces in pluralistic societies, especially in relation to integration.
What was the situation like in the past?
I once chatted with some older people about the issue. What's more, there have been calls (including by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong) to revive the kampung spirit in the neighbourhoods.
'In the past, when we were in the kampungs, everyone was like a family. That was why some Chinese families gave away their daughters, especially if they were born in the Year of the Tiger, which was considered inauspicious, to be adopted by Malays,' said a pak haji.
Now, it is impossible for Chinese families to give away their children to Malay families, said an uncle who married an adopted Chinese woman.
During the British era, Singapore society was already pluralistic, said a retired teacher. Not surprisingly, bangsawan or Malay opera was also enjoyed by non-Malays. The bangsawan towkays were Chinese or Eurasians.
Entertainment and sports have long united various races in Singapore. As in bangsawan, Malay production houses were run by non-Malays like the Shaw brothers and Loke Wan Tho.
I remember a veteran leader said: 'In the past, we tended to set religion aside. Religious affairs were hardly priorities.'
The ways of socialising viewed as 'modern' often involved dancing and drinking or partying. At a handful of Malay weddings, there were parties and beer drinking.
The veteran leader added: 'In the past, we got drunk together and were lured into vices. Religious awareness was not strong then.'
But the veteran leader now prays diligently. He once met an old non-Muslim colleague who told him: 'Times have changed, we are now starting to repent and return to our respective faiths. But the bottom line is that we are still old friends because we shared fun experiences together.'
They laughed while reminiscing about the past.
A union leader told me that during the struggle for independence, race and religion were non-issues as long as a leader sincerely fought for common interests.
Perhaps it was the memories of these veterans that touched Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew when he commented on the issue of racial integration in Singapore. He expressed his concern that Muslims were having trouble integrating.
But there have been rising religious trends worldwide, which can also be seen in Singapore. We have to find common spaces by compromising but without sacrificing our principles. That is harmony.
This Chinese New Year, my nephew had a celebration at his in-laws' home with halal food, but still steeped in Chinese culture.
This practice may be as old as the marriage between Sultan Mansor Shah of Malacca and Princess Hang Li Po, who was sent by the Ming Emperor of China.
Even my grandniece, who is just three years old, said: 'I am also Chinese, you know.'
MOHD RAMAN DAUD (BH, FEB 5)
Our sister newspapers, Berita Harian and Berita Minggu, ran numerous commentaries in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks on Muslim Singaporeans in his recent book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going. We carry below edited excerpts from some of the commentaries. Translated by Norzulriyah Haron
Common and private spaces
THE issue of common and private spaces often surfaces in pluralistic societies, especially in relation to integration.
What was the situation like in the past?
I once chatted with some older people about the issue. What's more, there have been calls (including by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong) to revive the kampung spirit in the neighbourhoods.
'In the past, when we were in the kampungs, everyone was like a family. That was why some Chinese families gave away their daughters, especially if they were born in the Year of the Tiger, which was considered inauspicious, to be adopted by Malays,' said a pak haji.
Now, it is impossible for Chinese families to give away their children to Malay families, said an uncle who married an adopted Chinese woman.
During the British era, Singapore society was already pluralistic, said a retired teacher. Not surprisingly, bangsawan or Malay opera was also enjoyed by non-Malays. The bangsawan towkays were Chinese or Eurasians.
Entertainment and sports have long united various races in Singapore. As in bangsawan, Malay production houses were run by non-Malays like the Shaw brothers and Loke Wan Tho.
I remember a veteran leader said: 'In the past, we tended to set religion aside. Religious affairs were hardly priorities.'
The ways of socialising viewed as 'modern' often involved dancing and drinking or partying. At a handful of Malay weddings, there were parties and beer drinking.
The veteran leader added: 'In the past, we got drunk together and were lured into vices. Religious awareness was not strong then.'
But the veteran leader now prays diligently. He once met an old non-Muslim colleague who told him: 'Times have changed, we are now starting to repent and return to our respective faiths. But the bottom line is that we are still old friends because we shared fun experiences together.'
They laughed while reminiscing about the past.
A union leader told me that during the struggle for independence, race and religion were non-issues as long as a leader sincerely fought for common interests.
Perhaps it was the memories of these veterans that touched Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew when he commented on the issue of racial integration in Singapore. He expressed his concern that Muslims were having trouble integrating.
But there have been rising religious trends worldwide, which can also be seen in Singapore. We have to find common spaces by compromising but without sacrificing our principles. That is harmony.
This Chinese New Year, my nephew had a celebration at his in-laws' home with halal food, but still steeped in Chinese culture.
This practice may be as old as the marriage between Sultan Mansor Shah of Malacca and Princess Hang Li Po, who was sent by the Ming Emperor of China.
Even my grandniece, who is just three years old, said: 'I am also Chinese, you know.'
MOHD RAMAN DAUD (BH, FEB 5)
