The Muslim community has to be wary of the growing presence of “absolutists”, who have a rigid way of interpreting Islam, said Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Second Minister for Home Affairs, on Tuesday (Jun 23).
Previously, religious teachers here came from Egypt, but now, they come from “all over” the world. The variations of Islam they embrace are “very cultural” and some of the conflicts experienced in other countries are brought to Singapore, said the minister in an interview.
He noted that Singapore has succeeded as its people can live with one another despite their differences.
However, “absolutists” believe there is only one way that Islam ought to be, and those who do not agree with them are considered “un-Islamic” for example, he added.
When asked what was being done to reach out to or engage the absolutists, Mr Masagos said there is a need to ensure the Muslim community is aware of this phenomenon. “When we hear something that is really out of the norm, be alert to it. We have to accept them for their freedom to express their religious variations, too,” he said.
However, he cautioned that Muslims should not easily “succumb” to the views of absolutists. “They may look attractive, they may look correct … but do not be gullible.”
ONLINE BATTLE AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE
On the issue of the online battle against the ideology of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Mr Masagos said religious teaching in Singapore is moderate and tolerant.
However, he noted that not every young person has gone through the structured way of learning Islam, such as doing so in a mosque or through accredited teachers.
“Some of them take lessons from the Internet not because they’re looking for religious guidance, but because something may have happened in their lives,” said Mr Masagos.
For instance, he cited M Arifil Azim Putra Norja’I, who has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for “terrorism-related activities”.
Mr Masagos said the 19-year-old’s father had died and the teen was trying to find “meaning in life”. “Unfortunately, he found the meaning in life through his conversation and engagement with … (a) radical.”
“He (Arifil) did not have references or background information about Islam to tell him these things are wrong,” Mr Masagos said.
On the other 17-year-old unnamed youth, who has also been arrested under ISA for further investigations into his radicalisation, Mr Masagos said there are no updates yet.
He said the teen’s views had “already (been) known” since he was 14. And now at 17, his parents “cannot somehow control” him and his views. “It’s important for him to know we are watching him. And that he has to behave and not do anything … to (affect) the safety and security of our country,” said the minister.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
