Sufi revival in Singapore

Abstract

Ever since 911 , Islam has been the quintessential focal point of much debate and deliberation, on both global and local platforms. Many have identified fundamentalist and radical Islamic ideals as the primary cause of concern. While Allied Alliances, armies and anti-terrorist organizations have physically attempted to weed out suspected terrorists and their hideouts/training centres, Sufism has been adopted at the frontline in the institutional battle against fundamental and radical Islam, thrusting it into the limelight in recent years. Although there have been extensive studies on Sufism elsewhere, there has been no recent study on Sufism in Singapore and its spread here relative to its rise on the international level. This study aims to trace the Sufi revival in Singapore since 2004 and the factors that have contributed to it. Interviews were conducted with various individuals directly related to its revival, a survey, as well as an online field research of a website that offers daily live broadcast of a living Sufi master.