Connecting Purim in Judaism to my Tamil-Muslim Identity

Written By Nazhath Faheema

  • What does it feel like to be 0.8% of the citizen population?

  • How does being a minority make you feel vulnerable?

  • How advantageous is the identity of a minority?

  • What is the effect of inter-belief engagements at the individual level?

  • Does it make you better at your religion? Perhaps as a better human being, to begin with?

  • How do we bring "unlike" "-minded people into such engagements?

  • Is it okay to offer personal perspectives on matters of religion, even if we are not from that religion?

  • If people who want to create chaos and terror are daring, then why do we, the people who want peace, fear to confront prejudice and hate?

    These were some questions from my virtual lunch talk for members of the United Hebrew Congregation in Singapore. Through this experience, I learnt about Purim in Judaism. As I reflected on Queen Esther, I reflected on my identity as a Tamil Muslim, a minority ethnic-religious woman in Singapore.

    Thanks to UHC members for this opportunity to share my journey, knowledge and experience from the perspective of Jew-Muslim relations. Special thanks to Simon Blackman for coordinating this interfaith presentation.

Nazhath Faheema

Nazhath Faheema, a Singaporean Muslim of Indian descent, actively promotes interfaith dialogue. She holds a full-time position at an NGO where she focuses on organizing interfaith charity events. Additionally, she plays an active role in community development, particularly in developing youth leadership to foster social harmony.

Furthermore, Nazhath serves as an external lecturer at ESSEC Asia Pacific in Singapore. She teaches students from Europe and Asia regions on "Race & Religion in Singapore" and "Islam in Singapore."

Nazhath earned her Master of Science in Asian Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She also holds a certificate in the Comparative Study of Religions in Plural Societies. Her research interests span various areas, including youth interfaith movements in Southeast Asia, Jewish-Muslim relations, interactions between Muslim-majority states and Israel, and interreligious dialogue in diplomacy.

Previous

Interfaith Passover in Singapore