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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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by Firqin Sumartono When I was in university discussing available scholarships for graduate school with a friend, I suggested that she look within her community for available scholarships, since that was what I was doing. She replied and looked at me as if I understood what she was implying, “Chinese scholarships are so competitive! Everyone’s…
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by ASMY I sat in class that day, staring down at the skirt of my baju kurung cum school uniform, hovering above my black shoes. “What am I doing here anymore?” I’m seventeen in the first year of Pre-University at a Madrasah in the A-levels stream. Ever since I was 7 I have always dreamed…
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Beyond The Hijab 