Of Co-optation and Resistance: State-"Ulama" Dynamics in Singapore

The ulama or religious-scholarly elites enjoy a venerated position in any Muslim community. Despite Islam not having a well-defined ver-ical hierarchy between the clergy and ordinary Muslims, unlike the Catholic faith, ulama possess tremendous influence among Muslims. The Prophetic saying, Ulama are inheritors of the Prophets,"3 reflects the importance of the ulama in any Muslim society: religious scholars are expected to carry the torch of the Prophet of Islam, embodying not only his characteristics but his lifelong struggle of championing and propagating Islam. Here, Abdullah examines state-ulama in Singapore.