This mini-theatre festival is Teater Ekamatra's first attempt to use performances, be it dance, theatre or music as a platform for inter-faith dialogue. We've had experience in producing works that provoked the audience into asking us, and themselves, difficult questions pertaining to social, cultural, political and religious issues before, but never specifically works that examine what it means to be a Muslim in Singapore.
Events all around the world involving Muslims and non-Muslims have brought us close to what Hutington called the 'Clash of Civilizations'. In Singapore, efforts have been put into ensuring that such a clash does not happen. The Inter-Religious Organisation have increased the number of seminars and public talks, racial harmony day has reached new heights of popularity in schools, MUIS set up its Harmony Centre housed in Masjib An-Nahdhah and recently the Archbishop of Canterbury was in town for the 6th Building Bridges Christian Muslim Seminar held at the National University of Singapore.
However, more can be done to promote greater understanding amongst the different races and religions here. Teater Ekamatra hopes that this little gesture will open more doors for dialogue between the different groups in Singapore in a safe environment. It is no longer sufficient for us to tolerate each other for the term itself hints at something difficult that has to be endured. However, if we take the time to look into our neighbours of different faith and creed, we might just find that we have more similarities than differences.
Just step into the Pondok and see for yourself.
(Source: Teater Ekamatra Programme)