The Price of Love

by Zubaida Ali My son has found his one true love at the age of 28. She is a delightful young university graduate, who is the perfect match for him. There is talk of marriage and the traditional ‘masuk meminang’ event that has become part of our Malay culture. With it, is the inevitable discussion…

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When Being Filial to One Means Neglecting Another

by Alia _ I have been thinking about this for a long time. If he died, would I know? If I died, would he forgive me? Where would God place me as I walk the crowded fields of judgement day? Would I be seen as a filial daughter? Or the opposite; someone who has abandoned…

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Dari lensa minoriti Syiah di Singapura

Topik perbezaan sekte atau sektarianisme bukanlah sebuah topik yang baru saya ketahui. Saya dilahirkan dalam keluarga yang mengikuti tradisi Melayu dan juga agama Islam bermazhab Syiah di Singapura. Sebelum perkahwinan mereka, ibu bapa saya mengikut ajaran Sunni tetapi apabila mereka lebih dewasa, mereka beralih memeluk Mazhab Jaafari, iaitu mazhab dominan dalam fahaman Syiah. Walaupun kami…

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A Woman’s Guide to Happiness

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…

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From the Lens of a Shi’a Minority in Singapore

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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Activewear and Niqab

by Zarifah Anuar The bus stop isn’t very crowded, but the number of bodies in the space is enough to make the humid air even more annoying to bear. I find a relatively spacious spot next to a woman wearing a niqab, and start fanning myself with my shirt. I give it no thought at…

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