A CASE FOR EMBEDDED MINORITIZATION: DECODING SINGAPORE’S APPROACH TO TACKLING SUNNI-SHIA TENSIONS

Abstract

Despite worsening sectarianism worldwide and the concomitant growth of anti-Shia fervour, why have some highly connected states experienced low levels of Sunni-Shia tensions? Introducing the concept of “embedded minoritization,” this dissertation underscores how states utilize formal and informal means to minimize and maintain low Sunni-Shia tensions using Singapore as a case study. This dissertation thus argues that Singapore has experienced low Sunni-Shia tensions since independence for two reasons. Firstly, the government has employed both formal and informal regulations to minoritize sectarian intolerance and violence. Such regulations can manifest in the form of legal frameworks enforced by the state or norms propagated by MUIS. Collectively, both formal and informal regulations serve to alienate sectarian intolerance, thereby urging Muslims to be more tolerant of diversity within Islam. Secondly, the state relies on its informal networks with civil society to further minoritize sectarian intolerance and anti-Shia sentiments within the Muslim community. In particular, the state, through MUIS, recognizes Shias for their contributions despite their status as a minority sect within the Muslim community. In doing so, the strong connections that MUIS maintains with notable Shias in the community have facilitated their gradual acceptance among Singaporean Muslims, leading to low Sunni-Shia tensions. Data collected from desk research and ethnographic fieldwork provide credible evidence suggesting that Singapore’s low level of Sunni-Shia tensions is best explained by the concept of “embedded minoritization.” However, the gathered data also evinces the persistence of latent Sunni-Shia tensions, which has the propensity to rise in the future. These findings have deep and far-reaching theoretical, policy, and methodological implications. Theoretically, the findings imply that the concept of “embedded minoritization” possesses strong explanatory power in how states reduce Sunni-Shia tensions in plural societies, enlightening prospects for theory testing and refinement. Policy-wise, the findings also suggest that whilst existing measures to lower Sunni-Shia tensions have been effective, there are ample opportunities to foster stronger Sunni-Shia relations by addressing misconceptions and stereotypes within the community. Methodologically, the employment of an ethnographic lens in this dissertation expands and enriches existing research on Sunni-Shia relations, creating opportunities for this approach to be applied by scholars studying sectarianism in other states