Pulau Ubin guide says he received call for investigation after performing azan during tour

A Pulau Ubin heritage guide said he will continue performing the azan, the Muslim call to prayer, during his tours after learning that a call for investigation had allegedly been made over the practice.

In an Instagram post published on May 18, Nor Syazwan Abdul Majid, curator and guide of the Malay Kampung Heritage Tour, said he had been informed by “relevant authorities” that an individual had called for an investigation into him for “performing a religious ceremony” during a public tour held as part of an Ubin Day celebration.

According to Syazwan, the matter was later clarified to the relevant parties and would not be pursued further.

However, in the post, he emphasised the importance of Singaporeans "play[ing] an active role in understanding one another's cultures, traditions, and religions".

Azan performed as part of heritage storytelling

According to Syazwan, the azan was performed at the former grounds of the Pulau Ubin mosque in Kampung Surau as part of the final stop of his Malay Kampung Heritage Tour.

He explained his intention:

“The intention of the call... is to invite everyone to experience the soundscape of what one would have heard if they were at that spot of the island when the mosque and the Ubin Orang Pulau community were still around.”

Syazwan added that participants were also invited to use the roughly two-minute call to prayer as a moment of reflection on the stories and history shared during the tour.

After the azan, he said he would typically explain basic information about Islam, such as prayer practices and how to identify Malay-Muslim tombstones.

“These were shared on the spirit of goodwill to raise awareness of our Singapore Malay-Muslim cultural heritage and traditions among our fellow Singaporeans, as well as international visitors,” he wrote.

He added that the "tour serves as an opportunity for all of us to better understand the social and religious tapestry that shapes our muiltiracial and multireligious society".

Says he will continue performing azan

In the same post, Syazwan expressed disappointment that the intentions behind the heritage tour appeared to have been misunderstood.

He wrote:

“I wish to make clear that I will continue performing the azan.”

Syazwan said he saw it as his “social duty” as a descendant of the Ubin Orang Pulau community to preserve its stories, memories and culture.

He also described it as his civic duty as a Singaporean Malay-Muslim to help others better understand Islam and Singapore’s multicultural society.

“Because this is what it means to be a Singaporean.”

Syazwan noted that the matter has since been resolved.

“The context and intention of this segment have since been clarified by the relevant authorities to the relevant parties, and I understand that the matter will not be pursued further.”

Netizens rally behind Syazwan

Several commenters also expressed support for Syazwan online, with some describing the azan as “beautiful” and saying they appreciated the heritage context in which it was shared.

One commenter wrote:

“As someone who personally witnessed this on one of your tours, it was the highlight of my day. You transported us to a much simpler, peaceful time and I remember how everyone kept silent to honour that moment. Thank you for what you do.”

Another commenter, who said they attended the Ubin Day tour, wrote:

“As someone who is agnostic, witnessing you perform the Azan was genuinely moving, and it was such a privilege to learn more about Malay Muslim and Orang Pulau culture and heritage through your lens.”

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wan's Ubin Journal (@wansubinjournal)