Keramat, Sacred Relics and Forbidden Idols in Singapore

Keramat, holy graves and shrines, represent physical markers of Singapore’s history as a multi‑ethnic maritime trading center. They offered sanctified spaces not only for Muslims but also for the entire community in which they emerged. Maintained by self‑appointed caretakers, the stories of keramat often interweave fact with folklore that mirror the history and sensibilities of the community.

While...