Music and Worship: Zapin in the Malay World

Syed Farid Alatas's talk aims to explore the cultural and musical practices of the minority Hadhrami Arab community in Southeast Asia. The Professor of Sociology at the National University of Singapore will discuss zapin and how it's widely practiced across the Malay world of Southeast Asia in the context of maulid commemorations, Hari Raya festivities and wedding celebrations, as well as playing a pivotal cultural role in shaping the Hadhrami Arab community. With the current wave of religious extremism sweeping across the Malay world, this presentation also looks into how zapin can be a catalyst in bringing about greater cultural understanding of Islam amongst Muslims as well as between Muslims and others in the region.