- Description
- About the Authors
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Khairat Kita documents the last few remaining Malay/Muslim Mutual Benefit Organisations (MMBOs) providing aid and charity to members in times of distress or need. Known as badan khairat kematian (death social welfare organisation), these MMBOs were initially set up to provide financial support to families in instances of a member’s passing—a fundamental life event, especially to the Malay/Muslim community.
Being volunteer, community-led initiatives based on a centuries-old tradition of mutual aid, these MMBOs were seen as social anchors in the community and custodians of intangible cultural heritage of Singapore’s Malay/Muslim community.
Today, with around twenty such organisations left, declining membership and ageing committee members, the future looks uncertain for these Malay/Muslim Mutual Benefit Organisations. A collection of interviews, photographs, essays and personal reflections, Khairat Kita is a concerted effort at archiving and documenting the history and people of the MMBOs. -
Fauzy Ismail researches Singapore’s architecture and urban heritage. He completed his masters in architecture at the National University of Singapore, investigating heritage and thirdspaces in architecture, and dealt with gazetted buildings as a government conservation architect. He was an artist-in-residence at The Substation from 2018 to 2019, and was also a fasion designer in Paris.
Zakaria Zainal is an author and photographer based in Singapore. He published Riot Recollections and The Invisible Force: Singapore Gurkhas with Ethos Books.
Zaki Jumahri is an independent researcher and writer with a decade’s experience across the arts, cultural heritage, non-profit and legal sectors. His writings have been featured in Today and arts publications including Art & Market and Art Republik. His research interests include Jawi and Arabic manuscripts, Singapore history, and art and cultural heritage law.
Cover Type: Paperback
Page Count: 108
Year Published: 2022
Size: 150mm x 200mm