(This event is organised by MEI’s Political Economy Research Cluster, as part of its quarterly public speakers series.)

Abstract

Part of a larger project on religious pluralism and the very act of “writing” minority histories in Southeast Asia, in this talk I present some of my findings and reflections on research conducted among Shi’a communities in the region.

Shi’a Muslims have been present in Southeast Asia for centuries, but have consistently remained a minority with alternating fortunes. Illustrating the events that take place during the first ten days of Muharram and on the day of Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia; analysing their press coverage; and investigating the position of these states on Shi’a Islam; I propose that we should talk of these communities as largely “invisible” to the general population. But what are the implications of this approach on “religious pluralism”?

Does the existence of an invisible minority prevent the very condition of “pluralism,” if this is to be understood as a condition (or process) that entails legitimation and acceptance? Or does this invisibility potentially protect a given group, enabling its survival? Ultimately, what are the social and political implications of pushing a minority into hiding?