E-books for the Singapore Bicentennial

Ethos Books produced 26 e-books on different topics for the Singapore Bicentennial in 2019 and I was commissioned to write two of these. They were on philanthropy and the Hajj. I approached each differently to make the content relatable, knowing that they would not only be published during the Bicentennial celebration but used as teaching resources by the Ministry of Education.

Philanthropy in Singapore: A Heritage of Peoples and Places

Doing my own research and working with the material provided by the Singapore Bicentennial office, it was readily apparent that there was a strong tradition of philanthropy in Singapore. The challenge was making this tradition come alive and showing its relevance to the present. 

I decided to approach the e-book as if it were a walking tour readers could take, signposting landmarks that were testaments to philanthropic contributions, such as the Sri Mariamman Temple, Masjid Omar Kampong Meleka and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. 

At the same time, knowing that philanthropy was deeply tied to nation-building efforts, I made sure to show how different communities drove philanthropy here. For myself, what was heartening to find and put to words was early philanthropic work that crossed racial boundaries, since this was a sign of the multiculturalism that would become synonymous with Singapore. 

The Hajj: From Singapore to Mecca

Like with the e-book on philanthropy, I wanted the story on the Hajj to have a strong sense of place. After all, Singapore has a history of being a waypoint for pilgrims in Southeast Asia to trade and rest as they made their way to Mecca.

To do justice to the significance of the Hajj, though, it was also crucial to account for the inner life of pilgrims. The Hajj is as much a spiritual journey as it is a transnational endeavour among different communities.

So, I interviewed two pilgrims, whose memories of their time in Mecca bookended the narrative of the Hajj. I was gratified to have deepened my understanding of this important religious rite and hope the e-book offers readers an accessible window into the rich religious lives of Muslims in Singapore.