By Nurul Fadiah Johari It is pretty common to hear the term “perempuan Melayu terakhir” in popular usage and every day parlance. One who is modern yet rooted to Malay traditions, one who is open-minded yet behaves demurely and dresses modestly, and so on. There is a film by that same title, which describes the…
Read More
by Mariam Ahmad Growing up, I was told that there are few things worse than being a spinster. In hindsight, what this statement really means is that my happiness is dependent on a man, and my worth lies in my ability to please him. Throughout the years, this damaging and grossly incorrect belief has permeated…
Read More
by Sukayna A The topic of sectarian differences is no stranger to me. I was born into a Shia Malay-Muslim Singaporean family. My parents were Sunnis prior to their marriage, but along the way transitioned into the Jaafari Mazhab (within the Shii’ sect). Even as Shiites, my parents had sent me to a Sunni madrasah for…
Read More
by Wan Siti Zulaikha Paper cranes Your words feel like rain Between tiny showers and heavy downpours Looming thunderstorms Invisible signs Drenched Same element recycled over and over again Be ready Bring your umbrellas out to play Shield yourself from all the criticisms and hate Same paper different planes I see the flipside of disdain…
Read More
by Diana Rahim It is not surprising that the term ‘Monolithic’ can have negative connotations. It brings to mind an understanding that is reductive, and absolute. A sweeping, generalised way of perceiving a reality that is much more complex and nuanced. Not all Muslims are Arabs after all, or even from the same denomination, or…
Read More
by Zarifah Anuar It’s 3am and my alarm goes off. I don’t jolt awake, because I’ve been awake for the past 30 minutes or so. There is a special kind of silence at this time of the night. You’re very aware of how alone you are — everyone in the house is asleep; outside, your…
Read More
Beyond The Hijab 