Singaporeans have obligation to reach out to Muslims, prevent Islamophobia
He urges non-Muslims to reach out to Muslims, to ensure strong bonds between communities in current climate
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 31 Mar 2016
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam has called on Singaporeans to reach out to their Muslim neighbours and build social cohesion, saying they are obliged to do so as the recent string of terror attacks threatens to fray the trust between the communities here.
He underlined the need to thwart Islamophobia - or prejudice against Muslims - from developing, after a closed-door meeting yesterday with 60 students from the six full-time madrasahs, or Islamic religious schools, in Singapore.
"Whatever it is, we're Singaporeans together and that trumps everything else," he told reporters, adding that "the 85 per cent who are non-Muslim have an obligation to reach out to the Muslim community and make sure the bonds are strong".
He noted that after each of the recent terror attacks in Europe and the United States, the number of attacks against Muslims shot up threefold.
* Man who attacked 3 madrasah girls jailed
While there was no immediate threat of such violence erupting in Singapore, he warned that non-Muslims could start developing negative attitudes towards Muslims.
"People will be too politically correct to express them, but internally, they will start looking at Muslims differently," he said, adding that feedback from Muslims indicates they are concerned about rising Islamophobia in Singapore.
Before the dialogue, Mr Shanmugam visited the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and later, the adjacent Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri.
He urges non-Muslims to reach out to Muslims, to ensure strong bonds between communities in current climate
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 31 Mar 2016
He underlined the need to thwart Islamophobia - or prejudice against Muslims - from developing, after a closed-door meeting yesterday with 60 students from the six full-time madrasahs, or Islamic religious schools, in Singapore.
"Whatever it is, we're Singaporeans together and that trumps everything else," he told reporters, adding that "the 85 per cent who are non-Muslim have an obligation to reach out to the Muslim community and make sure the bonds are strong".
He noted that after each of the recent terror attacks in Europe and the United States, the number of attacks against Muslims shot up threefold.
* Man who attacked 3 madrasah girls jailed
The police have arrested a 48 year old Singaporean, in connection with the assault on the three Madrasah students....
Posted by K Shanmugam Sc on Saturday, April 2, 2016
While there was no immediate threat of such violence erupting in Singapore, he warned that non-Muslims could start developing negative attitudes towards Muslims.
"People will be too politically correct to express them, but internally, they will start looking at Muslims differently," he said, adding that feedback from Muslims indicates they are concerned about rising Islamophobia in Singapore.
Before the dialogue, Mr Shanmugam visited the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and later, the adjacent Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri.
Muis chief executive Abdul Razak Maricar and Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin also took part in the dialogue.
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam has called on Singaporeans to reach out to their Muslim neighbours and build...
Posted by The Straits Times on Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Mr Shanmugam said the students raised the topic of Islamophobia in Singapore, adding that it was an issue the Government recognised as a significant risk to the country's social fabric.
If Singaporeans become prejudiced against Muslims, terrorists will find it easier to recruit them, he said.
"If 85 per cent of the population that's non-Muslim starts developing Islamophobia, that's precisely what the terrorists want you to do... When the minority Muslim community feels marginalised and discriminated against, that's when you get fertile ground for recruitment."
"We'll be playing right into their hands," he added.
A student at the dialogue, Madrasah Al-Maarif student Afifah Shameemah, recounted to reporters an incident at a school camp two years ago when a participant from another school made a joke about Muslims being terrorists.
The 17-year-old said the remarks hurt her feelings, but she did not speak up at that time. But if it were to happen today, she would, she said.
"It may be a joke, but because we are in a multiracial country, we really have to be careful about what we say and make sure we aren't hurting anybody with our words."
Madrasah Al-Arabiah Secondary 3 student Kasyful Azim, 15, who also took part in the dialogue, suggested including madrasah schools in more national sports and academic competitions, so that their students can better integrate with their peers in mainstream schools.
Man charged with kicking teen in 'racially aggravated' act
Security officer also charged with acting rashly to endanger safety of two other madrasah students
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 5 Apr 2016
A security officer was charged yesterday with kicking a 16-year-old madrasah student in what court papers say was a "racially aggravated" act.
He was also charged with acting rashly to endanger the personal safety of two other teenagers, who were from the same madrasah.
No plea was taken from Koh Weng Onn, who was arrested last Saturday and remains in custody.
In the first charge, the burly 48-year-old is accused of hurting the teen by kicking her on the right thigh in Paya Lebar Road at 7.22am last Friday .
In the second charge, he is said to have swung a plastic bag containing a filled 1.5-litre water bottle at a 14-year-old girl, a minute later .
The bag hit her on the face as she was walking along the pedestrian pavement by the side of the road.
The third charge accuses him of hurting another 14-year-old girl on an escalator at 7.24am. Court papers say she was on the ascending escalator at the Paya Lebar Circle Line MRT station when Koh, who was on the descending escalator, allegedly swung the plastic bag with the bottled water at her and it hit her on the face.
The attacks prompted government and community leaders of all races to stress over the weekend that racially motivated acts of violence will not be condoned.
They also urged all communities to stand united against such acts. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had said: "As a society, we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones."
Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Yi Ling told District Judge Ronald Gwee that these three holding charges were the result of investigations over the weekend. The prosecution will review them subsequently when more facts are known.
She said preliminary investigations so far revealed that Koh had made a high number of police reports - 90 of them - in the course of five years.
She said: "Most of these reports appear to have been generated by his belief that he was being targeted by others.
"He also made reports which nobody would have thought of making a police report about."
Examples, she said, included a report against a sales promoter immediately after buying a product from her and a report about a woman he felt was "sitting inappropriately".
Koh will be remanded for pyschiatric observation until the next mention of the case on April 18. The alleged victims cannot be named due to a gag order by the court.
The maximum penalty for racially motivated hurt is three years' jail and a $7,500 fine. If convicted of the other two charges, Koh could be jailed for up to one year and fined up to $5,000 on each charge.
Madrasah students in alleged attack are 'calm'
By Pang Xue Qiang, The Straits Times, 6 Apr 2016
The three female madrasah students who were allegedly attacked last week are "very steady and calm", said Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan- Jin yesterday in a Facebook post.
He visited the three students and staff at Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah yesterday morning with Dr Fatimah Lateef, a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, where the full-time Islamic religious school is located.
Mr Tan said the three students were "smiling as we chatted".
"They understood the circumstances surrounding the incident and that the police would be investigating thoroughly. There would probably be a mental health assessment as well," wrote Mr Tan, who is also an MP for Marine Parade GRC. "We encouraged the girls to speak up and approach their teachers if they need help," he said, adding that the madrasah's management and teachers have been very understanding and supportive.
Security officer Koh Weng Onn, 48, had allegedly attacked the three students, aged 14 to 16, in separate incidents near Paya Lebar MRT station last Friday. Koh was arrested the next day and charged on Monday in what court papers say was a "racially aggravated" act.
In the first charge, Koh is accused of hurting a 16-year-old teen by kicking her on the right thigh along Paya Lebar Road at 7.22am last Friday.
In the second charge, he is said to have swung a plastic bag containing a filled 1.5-litre water bottle at a 14-year-old girl as she was walking along the footpath.
The third charge accuses him of hurting another 14-year-old girl on an escalator at 7.24am at the Paya Lebar Circle Line MRT station.
The attacks prompted government and community leaders of all races to stress that racially motivated acts of violence will not be condoned.
Last Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "As a society, we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones."
Koh has been remanded for psychiatric observation until the next mention of the case on April 18.
Attacks on madrasah students: Ministers urge restraint to prevent split in society
By Lim Yan Liang, The Straits Times, 4 Apr 2016
A 48-year-old Singaporean will be charged in court this morning over an alleged attack on three madrasah students last Friday.
He is expected to be charged under the Penal Code for committing a rash act and for voluntarily causing hurt. He will face enhanced penalties if the offence is found to be racially or religiously aggravated.
He has been identified as Koh Weng Onn.
The three female students, aged 14 to 16, were making their separate ways to Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al-Islamiah in Geylang at around 7.20am when the man allegedly accosted them near Paya Lebar MRT station.
The school's discipline mistress Nisha Mohd Hussein had posted on Facebook that the first girl was allegedly kicked on the left thigh, the second was allegedly hit with a plastic bag containing "a heavy item", and the third was believed to have been hit in one of her eyes with the bag.
Police said the man was arrested last Saturday. Yesterday, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in a Facebook post it was reassuring that police had tracked down the suspect quickly.
But he urged the public to avoid speculation on the attacker's motives in the meantime.
Mr Shanmugam said he had been asked if the incident was an Islamophobic attack.
He had warned about Islamophobia, or prejudice against Islam, two days before the attack. He said yesterday: "It can be a cancer that destroys the soul of our country. We cannot tolerate that and MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) will act."
But he added: "In this case, we do not know the detailed facts, the motives, and should wait for the investigations to be completed."
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing also denounced the attack, and said Singapore will not condone any kind of attack of this nature.
"Any attack on any student in Singapore is wrong, full stop," he said.
"You don't attack people in Singapore in that manner; you don't attack people because of race, language or religion," he added.
Mr Chan was speaking to reporters after a closed-door dialogue with religious and community leaders at Khadijah Mosque in Geylang. He said he was encouraged that none of the leaders at the session jumped to any conclusions about the motives behind the attacks.
"As leaders, we would encourage our people to respond and react in a calm and constructive way," he said. "It shows a certain level of maturity that we can be very proud of as fellow Singaporeans, that we don't always react to things and try to cast a race, language or religion angle to it unnecessarily."
Geylang Serai Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle co-chair Eric Wong said years of having religious leaders of all stripes working together on various projects has forged "a basic understanding and harmony". "We should let the police do their part," he added.
The Catholic Archdiocese said in a Facebook post that it was saddened to hear of the attack.
"Aggression against anyone for their religious persuasion or ethnicity should never be allowed to take root in a multiracial and multi-religious society like Singapore," it said. "As Catholics, our hearts and prayers are with the three girls and their families, as we stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters."
Koh's older brother, Mr Muhammad Johan Koh, a relief security guard who is a Muslim convert, contacted Today newspaper yesterday to apologise for the incident, Today reported on its website.
* Man who attacked 3 madrasah girls jailed
Security officer gets 6 months' jail for kicking and hitting them in racially motivated act
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 21 May 2016
A security officer who made more than 300 police reports since 2008, mostly against people of other races, was jailed for six months yesterday for hurting two young madrasah students.
Koh Weng Onn, 48, pleaded guilty to kicking a 16-year-old girl on her thigh in a racially aggravated act. He also swung a plastic bag with a filled water bottle at a 14-year-old girl, and hit her in the face. A charge of hurting another 14-year-old girl by a rash act was taken into account.
District Judge Mathew Joseph said Koh had committed an unprovoked act of violence against three young Malay girls. "While an act of violence injures the victim, an act of racial or religious violence injures the victim and wounds the conscience of our society. It is, therefore, in the public interest to impose an appropriate sentence that would deter similar behaviour," he said.
He agreed with the prosecution that given the current climate of intensified religious and racial sensitivities, it was even more important to ensure that any attempt to fracture the social compact is dealt with decisively. "Any person who causes hurt to another because of race or religion should feel the full force of the law," he added.
On April 1 this year, Koh, wearing a pair of black boots, kicked the 16-year-old girl on her right thigh in Paya Lebar Road, while she was on her way to school. When she turned to look at him, he uttered a Hokkien vulgarity. The girl later broke down when she reached school.
A minute later, Koh swung the plastic bag at the 14-year-old girl. He then entered Paya Lebar MRT station and swung the plastic bag at another girl, also aged 14.
Security officer gets 6 months' jail for kicking and hitting them in racially motivated act
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 21 May 2016
A security officer who made more than 300 police reports since 2008, mostly against people of other races, was jailed for six months yesterday for hurting two young madrasah students.
Koh Weng Onn, 48, pleaded guilty to kicking a 16-year-old girl on her thigh in a racially aggravated act. He also swung a plastic bag with a filled water bottle at a 14-year-old girl, and hit her in the face. A charge of hurting another 14-year-old girl by a rash act was taken into account.
District Judge Mathew Joseph said Koh had committed an unprovoked act of violence against three young Malay girls. "While an act of violence injures the victim, an act of racial or religious violence injures the victim and wounds the conscience of our society. It is, therefore, in the public interest to impose an appropriate sentence that would deter similar behaviour," he said.
He agreed with the prosecution that given the current climate of intensified religious and racial sensitivities, it was even more important to ensure that any attempt to fracture the social compact is dealt with decisively. "Any person who causes hurt to another because of race or religion should feel the full force of the law," he added.
On April 1 this year, Koh, wearing a pair of black boots, kicked the 16-year-old girl on her right thigh in Paya Lebar Road, while she was on her way to school. When she turned to look at him, he uttered a Hokkien vulgarity. The girl later broke down when she reached school.
A minute later, Koh swung the plastic bag at the 14-year-old girl. He then entered Paya Lebar MRT station and swung the plastic bag at another girl, also aged 14.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ang Feng Qian said Koh hit young Malay girls as he believed they might not know what to do compared with older people, who would likely call the police immediately.
Koh, who was diagnosed with a delusional disorder at the time of the offences, said he started to have a bad impression of Malays after a group of Malays hit him some years ago.
DPP Ang said the night before the attacks, Koh was involved in a dispute with some Malay cyclists. The police were called and the parties apologised to each other.
Koh's lawyer Sunil Sudheesan said Koh was very sorry for what he had done. He said treatment had begun for Koh's mental illness and the medication was working.
Man charged with kicking teen in 'racially aggravated' act
Security officer also charged with acting rashly to endanger safety of two other madrasah students
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 5 Apr 2016
A security officer was charged yesterday with kicking a 16-year-old madrasah student in what court papers say was a "racially aggravated" act.
He was also charged with acting rashly to endanger the personal safety of two other teenagers, who were from the same madrasah.
No plea was taken from Koh Weng Onn, who was arrested last Saturday and remains in custody.
In the first charge, the burly 48-year-old is accused of hurting the teen by kicking her on the right thigh in Paya Lebar Road at 7.22am last Friday .
In the second charge, he is said to have swung a plastic bag containing a filled 1.5-litre water bottle at a 14-year-old girl, a minute later .
The bag hit her on the face as she was walking along the pedestrian pavement by the side of the road.
The third charge accuses him of hurting another 14-year-old girl on an escalator at 7.24am. Court papers say she was on the ascending escalator at the Paya Lebar Circle Line MRT station when Koh, who was on the descending escalator, allegedly swung the plastic bag with the bottled water at her and it hit her on the face.
Security officer Koh Weng Onn, 48, allegedly kicked a 16-year-old girl on her right thigh - an act which was "racially...
Posted by The Straits Times on Sunday, April 3, 2016
The attacks prompted government and community leaders of all races to stress over the weekend that racially motivated acts of violence will not be condoned.
They also urged all communities to stand united against such acts. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had said: "As a society, we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones."
Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Yi Ling told District Judge Ronald Gwee that these three holding charges were the result of investigations over the weekend. The prosecution will review them subsequently when more facts are known.
She said preliminary investigations so far revealed that Koh had made a high number of police reports - 90 of them - in the course of five years.
She said: "Most of these reports appear to have been generated by his belief that he was being targeted by others.
"He also made reports which nobody would have thought of making a police report about."
Examples, she said, included a report against a sales promoter immediately after buying a product from her and a report about a woman he felt was "sitting inappropriately".
Koh will be remanded for pyschiatric observation until the next mention of the case on April 18. The alleged victims cannot be named due to a gag order by the court.
The maximum penalty for racially motivated hurt is three years' jail and a $7,500 fine. If convicted of the other two charges, Koh could be jailed for up to one year and fined up to $5,000 on each charge.
Madrasah students in alleged attack are 'calm'
By Pang Xue Qiang, The Straits Times, 6 Apr 2016
The three female madrasah students who were allegedly attacked last week are "very steady and calm", said Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan- Jin yesterday in a Facebook post.
He visited the three students and staff at Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah yesterday morning with Dr Fatimah Lateef, a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, where the full-time Islamic religious school is located.
Mr Tan said the three students were "smiling as we chatted".
"They understood the circumstances surrounding the incident and that the police would be investigating thoroughly. There would probably be a mental health assessment as well," wrote Mr Tan, who is also an MP for Marine Parade GRC. "We encouraged the girls to speak up and approach their teachers if they need help," he said, adding that the madrasah's management and teachers have been very understanding and supportive.
Fatimah Lateef and I visited the three students, and staff, at Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah this morning. The Madrasah...
Posted by Tan Chuan-Jin on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Security officer Koh Weng Onn, 48, had allegedly attacked the three students, aged 14 to 16, in separate incidents near Paya Lebar MRT station last Friday. Koh was arrested the next day and charged on Monday in what court papers say was a "racially aggravated" act.
In the first charge, Koh is accused of hurting a 16-year-old teen by kicking her on the right thigh along Paya Lebar Road at 7.22am last Friday.
In the second charge, he is said to have swung a plastic bag containing a filled 1.5-litre water bottle at a 14-year-old girl as she was walking along the footpath.
The third charge accuses him of hurting another 14-year-old girl on an escalator at 7.24am at the Paya Lebar Circle Line MRT station.
The attacks prompted government and community leaders of all races to stress that racially motivated acts of violence will not be condoned.
Last Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "As a society, we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones."
Koh has been remanded for psychiatric observation until the next mention of the case on April 18.
Attacks on madrasah students: Ministers urge restraint to prevent split in society
By Lim Yan Liang, The Straits Times, 4 Apr 2016
A 48-year-old Singaporean will be charged in court this morning over an alleged attack on three madrasah students last Friday.
He is expected to be charged under the Penal Code for committing a rash act and for voluntarily causing hurt. He will face enhanced penalties if the offence is found to be racially or religiously aggravated.
He has been identified as Koh Weng Onn.
The three female students, aged 14 to 16, were making their separate ways to Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al-Islamiah in Geylang at around 7.20am when the man allegedly accosted them near Paya Lebar MRT station.
The school's discipline mistress Nisha Mohd Hussein had posted on Facebook that the first girl was allegedly kicked on the left thigh, the second was allegedly hit with a plastic bag containing "a heavy item", and the third was believed to have been hit in one of her eyes with the bag.
Police said the man was arrested last Saturday. Yesterday, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in a Facebook post it was reassuring that police had tracked down the suspect quickly.
But he urged the public to avoid speculation on the attacker's motives in the meantime.
Mr Shanmugam said he had been asked if the incident was an Islamophobic attack.
He had warned about Islamophobia, or prejudice against Islam, two days before the attack. He said yesterday: "It can be a cancer that destroys the soul of our country. We cannot tolerate that and MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) will act."
But he added: "In this case, we do not know the detailed facts, the motives, and should wait for the investigations to be completed."
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing also denounced the attack, and said Singapore will not condone any kind of attack of this nature.
"Any attack on any student in Singapore is wrong, full stop," he said.
"You don't attack people in Singapore in that manner; you don't attack people because of race, language or religion," he added.
Mr Chan was speaking to reporters after a closed-door dialogue with religious and community leaders at Khadijah Mosque in Geylang. He said he was encouraged that none of the leaders at the session jumped to any conclusions about the motives behind the attacks.
"As leaders, we would encourage our people to respond and react in a calm and constructive way," he said. "It shows a certain level of maturity that we can be very proud of as fellow Singaporeans, that we don't always react to things and try to cast a race, language or religion angle to it unnecessarily."
Geylang Serai Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle co-chair Eric Wong said years of having religious leaders of all stripes working together on various projects has forged "a basic understanding and harmony". "We should let the police do their part," he added.
The Catholic Archdiocese said in a Facebook post that it was saddened to hear of the attack.
"Aggression against anyone for their religious persuasion or ethnicity should never be allowed to take root in a multiracial and multi-religious society like Singapore," it said. "As Catholics, our hearts and prayers are with the three girls and their families, as we stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters."
JUST IN: The family of a 48-year-old man arrested for assaulting three madrasah students has apologised to the Malay-Muslim community.
Posted by TODAY on Sunday, April 3, 2016
Koh's older brother, Mr Muhammad Johan Koh, a relief security guard who is a Muslim convert, contacted Today newspaper yesterday to apologise for the incident, Today reported on its website.
MAN ARRESTED FOR INCIDENT AT PAYA LEBAR MRT STATION #sgpolicearrestOn 1 April 2016 at about 7.35am, the Police were...
Posted by Singapore Police Force on Saturday, April 2, 2016
Man arrested for alleged attacks on 3 madrasah girls
Incidents near MRT station condemned by religious leaders, MPs and ministers
By Amelia Teng and Seow Bei Yi, The Sunday Times, 3 Apr 2016
A Singaporean man was arrested yesterday in connection with separate alleged attacks on three female madrasah students near an MRT station the morning before - incidents which drew widespread condemnation from ministers, MPs, religious leaders and the public.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim called the alleged attacks "totally unacceptable" in a Facebook post, adding that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is working closely with the madrasah to help the students, who have been counselled, as well as assisting the police.
The students, aged 14 to 16, were making their separate ways to Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al-Islamiah in Geylang around 7.20am when the 48-year-old man allegedly accosted them near Paya Lebar MRT station.
The school's discipline mistress Nisha Mohd Hussein posted on Facebook that the first girl was allegedly kicked on the left thigh, the second was allegedly hit with a plastic bag containing "a heavy item" and the third was believed to have been hit in one of her eyes with the bag.
At 9.50pm yesterday, police revealed that a Chinese suspect was in custody. The swift arrest was praised by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. "As a society, we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones."
Dr Yaacob said: "We should never tolerate any forms of aggression towards anyone, especially the innocent. We must stay calm and united and not let this incident divide us."
Incidents near MRT station condemned by religious leaders, MPs and ministers
By Amelia Teng and Seow Bei Yi, The Sunday Times, 3 Apr 2016
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim called the alleged attacks "totally unacceptable" in a Facebook post, adding that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is working closely with the madrasah to help the students, who have been counselled, as well as assisting the police.
The students, aged 14 to 16, were making their separate ways to Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al-Islamiah in Geylang around 7.20am when the 48-year-old man allegedly accosted them near Paya Lebar MRT station.
The school's discipline mistress Nisha Mohd Hussein posted on Facebook that the first girl was allegedly kicked on the left thigh, the second was allegedly hit with a plastic bag containing "a heavy item" and the third was believed to have been hit in one of her eyes with the bag.
At 9.50pm yesterday, police revealed that a Chinese suspect was in custody. The swift arrest was praised by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. "As a society, we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones."
I am glad to see that the police have swiftly arrested the suspect who attacked 3 madrasah students on Friday. As a...
Posted by Teo Chee Hean on Saturday, April 2, 2016
Dr Yaacob said: "We should never tolerate any forms of aggression towards anyone, especially the innocent. We must stay calm and united and not let this incident divide us."
Last Friday night, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam posted on Facebook in response to the alleged attacks that "we will get to the bottom of it and ensure that justice is done".
Just two days before, after a closed-door meeting with 60 students from the six full-time madrasahs, or Islamic religious schools, here, he highlighted that feedback from Muslims indicates they are concerned about the rising Islamophobia in Singapore. He called on Singaporeans to reach out to their Muslim neighbours to build social cohesion and prevent prejudice against Muslims from developing.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu said yesterday: "An attack on the innocent can never be condoned. My thoughts are with the young girls and I hope they recover soon."
On the madrasah's Facebook page, members of the public shared their support for the students and called on Singaporeans to stand united and respect one another's race and religion. In its own statement, Muis called for the public to "stay calm and let justice take its course".
Similar calls were made by Muslim MPs, who said it is best to wait for investigations to be completed.
Mr Zainal Sapari, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said this seems to be an isolated case as he has not heard of similar incidents.
That was a view shared by Mr Zaqy Mohamad, an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC. "Even so, we can never take our social fabric for granted. How we react as a society against Islamophobia and incidents like these will be the true test of the investment we have made in multiracialism."
Ms Rahayu Mahzam, an MP for Jurong GRC, said that while "the fear that Islamophobia will creep into our community is real... I have faith that the non-Muslim community knows that Singaporean Muslims strongly reject terrorism..."
Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) leaders said the quick condemnation of the alleged attacks from ministers indicated that the Government will not tolerate such behaviour. Mr Anthony Au, vice-chairman of Bukit Batok East IRCC, said: "We cannot let our guard down against any possible disharmony and, as Singaporeans, we need to look after one another regardless of race and religion."
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence) and Criminal Investigation Department director Tan Chye Hee said yesterday: "Any person who caused hurt to others on the basis of their race or religion will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law."
Additional reporting by Calvin Yang.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence) and Criminal Investigation Department director Tan Chye Hee said yesterday: "Any person who caused hurt to others on the basis of their race or religion will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law."
Additional reporting by Calvin Yang.
The police have arrested a 48-year-old man in connection with the attacks on Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al-Islamiah students at...
Posted by The New Paper on Saturday, April 2, 2016
I have been told of three Madrasah students being physically attacked today in a public place. At this point, the...
Posted by K Shanmugam Sc on Friday, April 1, 2016
A teacher said in a Facebook post that the 3 pupils were at Paya Lebar MRT station on Friday morning when a middle-aged man attacked them.
Posted by The Straits Times on Friday, April 1, 2016
I am dismayed to hear of the attack towards 3 madrasah students. This is totally unacceptable. We should never tolerate...
Posted by Yaacob Ibrahim on Saturday, April 2, 2016
Find ways for madrasahs to work with other schools
In the wake of recent senseless attacks on innocent lives in Belgium and Pakistan, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam's timely reminder could not have come at a more appropriate time ("Stop anti-Muslim views from taking root: Shanmugam"; yesterday).
I agree with Mr Shanmugam that it should be the responsibility of the remaining 85 per cent of Singapore's population who are non-Muslim to extend our hands to our fellow Muslim Singaporeans. I have no doubt that they are against violent acts committed in the name of Islam.
Students in secular schools get the chance to mix with those of other races and religions on a regular basis. However, students in madrasahs, or Islamic religious schools, may get less of a chance to do so, especially if they start such education at a young age.
These are formative years, and it is important to set the right foundation for how they deal with others in the future.
We must find ways to integrate madrasah students more with national schools and other communities.
The suggestion by Madrasah Al-Arabiah Secondary 3 student Kasyful Azim to include madrasah schools in more national sports and academic competitions is good.
However, we have to ensure that such interaction doesn't become too competitive such that the aims of integration and interaction are overshadowed by the desire to win.
Another way to integrate madrasah students with those of other races could be to get them to attend mathematics, English or science classes in secular schools nearby.
This could be a good way for students from both types of schools to mingle and build inter-racial and inter-religious rapport.
Having to travel to another school for some lessons may be a little inconvenient for madrasah students, but, in the long run, such an arrangement could be for the betterment of the whole society.
Such an arrangement must stem from a mutual agreement between both the Ministry of Education and madrasahs, and should not be forced upon any side.
Rajasegaran Ramasamy
ST Forum, 1 Apr 2016
In the wake of recent senseless attacks on innocent lives in Belgium and Pakistan, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam's timely reminder could not have come at a more appropriate time ("Stop anti-Muslim views from taking root: Shanmugam"; yesterday).
I agree with Mr Shanmugam that it should be the responsibility of the remaining 85 per cent of Singapore's population who are non-Muslim to extend our hands to our fellow Muslim Singaporeans. I have no doubt that they are against violent acts committed in the name of Islam.
Students in secular schools get the chance to mix with those of other races and religions on a regular basis. However, students in madrasahs, or Islamic religious schools, may get less of a chance to do so, especially if they start such education at a young age.
These are formative years, and it is important to set the right foundation for how they deal with others in the future.
We must find ways to integrate madrasah students more with national schools and other communities.
A version of extreme Islam is being promoted at a private Muslim school in Yorkshire, which teaches 140 primary school children
Posted by Sky News on Thursday, March 31, 2016
The suggestion by Madrasah Al-Arabiah Secondary 3 student Kasyful Azim to include madrasah schools in more national sports and academic competitions is good.
However, we have to ensure that such interaction doesn't become too competitive such that the aims of integration and interaction are overshadowed by the desire to win.
Another way to integrate madrasah students with those of other races could be to get them to attend mathematics, English or science classes in secular schools nearby.
This could be a good way for students from both types of schools to mingle and build inter-racial and inter-religious rapport.
Having to travel to another school for some lessons may be a little inconvenient for madrasah students, but, in the long run, such an arrangement could be for the betterment of the whole society.
Such an arrangement must stem from a mutual agreement between both the Ministry of Education and madrasahs, and should not be forced upon any side.
Rajasegaran Ramasamy
ST Forum, 1 Apr 2016
Mufti condemns Pakistan blast in letter to Archbishop
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 31 Mar 2016
Singapore's top Muslim religious leader has written to the leader of the country's Catholics to express his grief and outrage over the bombing in Lahore, Pakistan, on Easter Sunday.
A faction of the Pakistani Taleban had bombed a public park in the major city, killing at least 73 people, many of them women and children. More than 300 people were injured. The victims of the terror attack included Muslims as well as Christians, who were the target of the attackers.
In a letter to Archbishop William Goh yesterday, Mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram described the bombing as "an act of inhumanity and an affront against people who believe in the values of compassion and peaceful coexistence".
"The act of indiscriminate bombing of a park filled with families celebrating Easter is not only against the Islamic teachings, it is also an attack against all of humanity," Dr Fatris wrote.
"The Holy Quran states, 'If anyone slew a person... it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.' "
Dr Fatris said: "No attack against another human being for the reason of holding a different faith is justifiable in Islam. The attack in Lahore, therefore, is a gross deviation from the inter-religious peace and harmony that is promoted by Islam.
"We strongly condemn the bombing in Lahore and offer our deepest condolences to the families of all the victims. We should unite to register our clear abhorrence of such a faithless act of inhumanity."
The Mufti's letter comes a day after the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) expressed its outrage at the attacks in Lahore as well as other instances of violence in recent months, including those in Indonesia, Syria, Turkey and Belgium. "We are saddened and outraged at such cruelty and misguidedness, which truly have no place in this world," Muis said.
"We stand together with all Muslims and all Singaporeans in offering our deepest condolences to the families of all the victims of these senseless tragedies."
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 31 Mar 2016
Singapore's top Muslim religious leader has written to the leader of the country's Catholics to express his grief and outrage over the bombing in Lahore, Pakistan, on Easter Sunday.
A faction of the Pakistani Taleban had bombed a public park in the major city, killing at least 73 people, many of them women and children. More than 300 people were injured. The victims of the terror attack included Muslims as well as Christians, who were the target of the attackers.
In a letter to Archbishop William Goh yesterday, Mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram described the bombing as "an act of inhumanity and an affront against people who believe in the values of compassion and peaceful coexistence".
"The act of indiscriminate bombing of a park filled with families celebrating Easter is not only against the Islamic teachings, it is also an attack against all of humanity," Dr Fatris wrote.
"The Holy Quran states, 'If anyone slew a person... it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.' "
Dr Fatris said: "No attack against another human being for the reason of holding a different faith is justifiable in Islam. The attack in Lahore, therefore, is a gross deviation from the inter-religious peace and harmony that is promoted by Islam.
"We strongly condemn the bombing in Lahore and offer our deepest condolences to the families of all the victims. We should unite to register our clear abhorrence of such a faithless act of inhumanity."
The Mufti's letter comes a day after the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) expressed its outrage at the attacks in Lahore as well as other instances of violence in recent months, including those in Indonesia, Syria, Turkey and Belgium. "We are saddened and outraged at such cruelty and misguidedness, which truly have no place in this world," Muis said.
"We stand together with all Muslims and all Singaporeans in offering our deepest condolences to the families of all the victims of these senseless tragedies."
Thwarting Islamophobia is everyone's responsibility
The need to thwart Islamophobia, as advocated by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, is undoubtedly critical now, given the unceasing terrorist attacks the world over ("Stop anti-Muslim views from taking root: Shanmugam"; yesterday).
An important starting point is the belief that all religions preach good values. However, it is unfortunate that every religion has its share of black sheep.
There will always be gullible believers who are misguided and exploited by those who wilfully misinterpret the religion to satiate their agenda.
Unfortunately, the rampant terrorism that the world is now witnessing is the work of Muslims, and not every individual is sufficiently rational to dissociate this from Islam.
Guilt by association is a very real phenomenon.
In order to ensure Islamophobia does not take root in Singapore, several measures are necessary:
• Leaders of all religions must constantly preach, remind and demonstrate to congregations the need for religious tolerance, harmony, respect and peaceful co-existence.
• The non-Muslim community must refrain from associating Islam with terrorism, even though the rampant terrorist attacks have been committed by misguided Muslims. This is not the time to joke about Muslims being terrorists. Contrary to what some may believe, we have not reached a state of communal cohesion, trust and understanding where we are able to recognise a joke and accept it as one.
• The Muslim community needs to help itself by recognising the folly of radicalisation, and condemning terrorist attacks. Remaining silent is not an option, as it can be misconstrued as supporting these acts.
• Schools must continually inculcate in students, especially the impressionable young, the virtues of inter-religious harmony, tolerance and respect.
So, everyone has an equal obligation and responsibility to ensure that the country's social fabric is not frayed.
Lawrence Loh Kiah Muan
ST Forum, 1 Apr 2016
The need to thwart Islamophobia, as advocated by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, is undoubtedly critical now, given the unceasing terrorist attacks the world over ("Stop anti-Muslim views from taking root: Shanmugam"; yesterday).
An important starting point is the belief that all religions preach good values. However, it is unfortunate that every religion has its share of black sheep.
There will always be gullible believers who are misguided and exploited by those who wilfully misinterpret the religion to satiate their agenda.
Unfortunately, the rampant terrorism that the world is now witnessing is the work of Muslims, and not every individual is sufficiently rational to dissociate this from Islam.
Guilt by association is a very real phenomenon.
In order to ensure Islamophobia does not take root in Singapore, several measures are necessary:
• Leaders of all religions must constantly preach, remind and demonstrate to congregations the need for religious tolerance, harmony, respect and peaceful co-existence.
• The non-Muslim community must refrain from associating Islam with terrorism, even though the rampant terrorist attacks have been committed by misguided Muslims. This is not the time to joke about Muslims being terrorists. Contrary to what some may believe, we have not reached a state of communal cohesion, trust and understanding where we are able to recognise a joke and accept it as one.
• The Muslim community needs to help itself by recognising the folly of radicalisation, and condemning terrorist attacks. Remaining silent is not an option, as it can be misconstrued as supporting these acts.
• Schools must continually inculcate in students, especially the impressionable young, the virtues of inter-religious harmony, tolerance and respect.
So, everyone has an equal obligation and responsibility to ensure that the country's social fabric is not frayed.
Lawrence Loh Kiah Muan
ST Forum, 1 Apr 2016
Strengthen inter-faith understanding at people level, says Yaacob
By Jalelah Abu Baker, The Straits Times, 1 Apr 2016
Understanding and getting to know one another is how Muslims and non-Muslims can live in harmony, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said yesterday.
"We need to strengthen the inter-faith understanding, not just at the leadership level, but right down to the common folks," he told reporters after a closed-door dialogue with 25 religious teachers, or asatizahs.
The dialogue, held at the Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Academy, was part of a programme for the group, who have just completed their Advanced Asatizah Executive Development Programme.
Dr Yaacob said religious teachers have a role in ensuring that younger generations of Muslims understand the social context of Singapore and how they can live together "side by side in harmony" with non-Muslims. One way of ensuring this harmony, he suggested, was to keep young Muslims curious about various non-Muslim groups.
He also noted that religious teachers can contribute by helping to formulate policies that can move "both nation and community forward".
Dr Yaacob's comments came after Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam warned that non-Muslims could start developing negative attitudes towards Muslims as a recent string of terror attacks threatens to fray the trust among communities here.
By Jalelah Abu Baker, The Straits Times, 1 Apr 2016
Understanding and getting to know one another is how Muslims and non-Muslims can live in harmony, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said yesterday.
"We need to strengthen the inter-faith understanding, not just at the leadership level, but right down to the common folks," he told reporters after a closed-door dialogue with 25 religious teachers, or asatizahs.
The dialogue, held at the Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Academy, was part of a programme for the group, who have just completed their Advanced Asatizah Executive Development Programme.
Dr Yaacob said religious teachers have a role in ensuring that younger generations of Muslims understand the social context of Singapore and how they can live together "side by side in harmony" with non-Muslims. One way of ensuring this harmony, he suggested, was to keep young Muslims curious about various non-Muslim groups.
He also noted that religious teachers can contribute by helping to formulate policies that can move "both nation and community forward".
I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of our young asatizahs, participants of the Advanced Asatizah Executive Development...
Posted by Yaacob Ibrahim on Friday, April 1, 2016
Dr Yaacob's comments came after Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam warned that non-Muslims could start developing negative attitudes towards Muslims as a recent string of terror attacks threatens to fray the trust among communities here.
Dialogue participant Liyana Musfirah Anwar, 23, who designs curriculum for Islamic school Safinah Holdings, has heard about students being harassed and called names for being Muslim.
In those instances, she advised her students to "be the bigger person", and show by example what Islam is about, and told them that the negativity will stop.
Another participant, Mr Muhammad Zahid Zain, 32, head of the charity Bapa Relief, was concerned about the role of younger religious teachers. "Nowadays, the challenges are real, the questions are getting more intellectual," he said.
"People read more, and they ask for clarifications. It's a healthy thing to be challenged, so we can live up to the needs of the society."
Ms Hanna Taufiq Siraj, head of the Muis Academy, said there are programmes to develop religious teachers into inter-faith leaders. Dr Yaacob also noted that there are inter-faith programmes in place.
She also said madrasahs, or Islamic religious schools, are becoming more open. "There is collaboration between madrasahs and secular schools initiated by religious teachers who understand the need for integration," she said.
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