Constructing Muslim Identity in a Secular State: The Strategic Role of Two Singapore Islamic Organizations

In Singapore, Islamic identity matters mainly because Muslims and Malays have special constitutional status. However, state policies seem to contradict the status while community is still dealing with problem of backwardness in educational economic development. This article examines profile strategic role two organizations, MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura, Religious Council Singapore) Pergas (Persatuan Ulama dan Guru-Guru Agama Singapore Scholars, Teachers Association), accommodating expression reconstructing Singaporean Muslim identity. Through intensive library research using an interdisciplinary approach from social constructivist fiqh minorities’ perspectives, this found that both played a very important construction There been dynamic contestation cooperation between towards community. global effect Islamist extremism terrorism has united them terms religious thought, attitude, formulation ideal The changing process their stances toward government’s was effective due function minorities contextualizing teachings context as secular state.