Female space in Singapore mosques

Abstract

This thesis seeks to better understand women’s religious practices as a form of pathway to touch on the Islamic feminist scene in Singapore through exploring the female space in Singapore mosques in the 20th century, conceptualising space as both physical space and female participation in mosque activities. Through these conceptualisations, this thesis aims to fill in the gap in existing literature regarding female space in Singapore mosques through analysing the intersection of three key themes; the multiple articulations of Islamic feminism in Singapore, the ways in which post-colonial administrative policies have influenced the power dynamics in the Muslim community in Singapore; and lastly, the role of mosques as a collective and social space. In doing so, this paper hopes to bring awareness to certain practices that have become normalized in our society, and possibly overshadowed by the success story of Singapore mosques in achieving its role as not only a religious space, but also as an area for development at a personal and community level for its users.