Events

The 19^th century Malay literary works in Singapore, such as those written by Munshi Abdullah and Tuan Simi provide insights into the intellectual responses of the Malay literati under colonial rule. Their literary testimony on the conditions of the people and the time are a form of historical witnesses, obviously subjected to their individual sentiment and the collective milieu that inform their thought. The significance of looking at literature as social document points to the need to recognize human sentiments and predicaments in our attempt to appreciate and evaluate history. A sense of history offered from this realm warrants our recognition.

Azhar Ibrahim, PhD is a Lecturer and Deputy Head at the Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS). He teaches Malay-Indonesian literature and ideologies of development at the Department. His research interest includes sociology of religion, sociology of literature and critical literacy, and the Malay-Indonesian intellectual development. Amongst his published books are: Historical Imagination and Cultural Responses to Colonialism and Nationalism: A Critical Malay(sian) Perspective (2017), Menyanggah Belenggu Kerancuan Fikiran Masakini (2016), Contemporary Islamic Discourse in the Malay-Indonesia World: Critical Perspectives.(2014), Narrating Presence: Awakening from Cultural Amnesia. (2014).

Ho Chi Tim conducts research into Singapore and Southeast Asian history, especially topics on colonialism, nation-building and social policy.

Free admission. Please register your interest to attend at this link.

This series highlights research on historical and related matters in Singapore and Southeast Asia, creating an appreciation of the role of humanities and social sciences research in contemporary society.