Problematising the discourse of ‘Arabisation’: A focus on the Singapore Muslim community

There has been increasing anxiety towards the phenomena of “Arabisation” in the Malay peninsula. It has been argued that there has been a major shift in everyday Muslim practices, such as clothing or language, and that much of this shift is based on real or imagined Arab Muslim practices. It has always been assumed that the geo-politics of the Middle East have affected the development of the Muslim community in Southeast Asia. However, there has not been critical engagement with the phenomenon of “Arabisation” – what are the assumptions behind it and is there an eclipsing of other factors affecting the Muslim community?

With a focus on Singapore, this paper seeks to problematize the trend. There is a need to address the assumptions embedded in the definitions put forward: firstly, “Arabisation” assumes that there is an essentialised, homogenised Arab world and culture that is impinging upon a vulnerable and passive Muslim community in Singapore, that accepts influences unthinkingly. Secondly, the consequence of defining Arabisation is the need to distinguish it from Islamisation. Though it is true that there are ingredients of Islamisation that are derived from the Arab world, it is possible to consider it as an autonomous phenomenon without necessarily being accompanied by Arab culture. Third, it is not enough to refer to physical symbolic markers of Muslims are called upon to explain Islam in Singapore.

By analysing the essentialist properties in the discourse of “Arabisation”, the paper argues that there is inevitably a securitisation of Salafism. It concludes with addressing realities of society on the ground and some recommended solutions to dealing with diversity.