Making Sense of an Evolving Identity: A Survey of Studies on Identity and Identity Formation among Malay-Muslims in Singapore

Abstract

This paper examines a genealogy of writings dealing with issues of Malay-Muslim identity in Singapore. It then proposes several new vistas in the study of identity and identity formation. The author's strategy in addressing these two main objectives is to categorize these varied works into three broad approaches: socio-anthropological approach, historical-political approach and expioratory approach. As will be demonstrated in this paper, these approaches are not necessarily exclusive. Rather, such categorizations will serve to enlighten us on how far particular disciplines have dominated the study of Malay-Muslim identity in Singapore at the expense of other relevant perspectives. It is pertinent, however, to note that the present paper does not attempt to review all studies conducted so far. Rather, it aims to provide a “sketch map” which can then be analysed and extended for future investigations.