Category: Agama

Despite Baseless Accusations, Mufti Fatris Bakaram Has Conducted Himself With Decorum

A brother sent us the following message:

Last night, I chatted with my wife about Terence, that biadab man and his insult of Ust Fatris.

As I was speaking of Ust Fatris, I found myself feeling teary.

To think that someone like Terence Nunis, who is so rude and uncouth speaking the way he did on Ust Fatris is so unacceptable.

I am not a fan of MUIS as it is currently organised.

But regardless of my opinion about MUIS, Ust Fatris is someone I have total respect for.

Let me recount an incident that shows how our Mufti is. Last year, I had a discussion with some brothers on FB.

These brothers made fitnah and insulted the Mufti.

And I cautioned them by saying “keep making these fitnah. It will add to his scale of good deeds”.

When Ust Fatris found out about the post and what I said, he contacted me.

Instead of saying he felt hurt by the fitnah and insults these others were making about him, he said:

“akhi, there is one part of it that hurts me deep inside, when you replied to one of the comments saying “But keep making these fitnah. It will add to his scale of good deeds”.

Akhi, how is it possible that I can feel happy wishing brothers that I love dearly to continue do things that will cause their deeds transferred to my scale?

Allah is my witness on how much I love you, akhi. And how much I love all whom Allah chooses to be my brothers. Without exception.”

Ust Fatris did not contact me because he was upset with the fitnah.

He contacted me because he was in pain that these brothers may lose their good deeds.

And he declared that he loved these brothers, even those who made fitnah against him.

Without exceptions.

Such is our Mufti.

We may disagree with MUIS or any organisation.

But for someone to insult the Mufti, to call him names and abuse him is beyond biadab.

By Allah, I believe Ust Fatris is a mercy to our community.
May Allah keep him strong and healthy.

And may he help guide our community through all our challenges.

And to Terence. May Allah grant you hidayah and may you gain the adab of a Muslim.

Source: Singapore Muslims for an Independent MUIS

December 3, 2015
Syed Danial – Parable Of The Bull And Muslim Unity

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Parable of the bull n Muslim Unity
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With regards to the recent sorry episode, Muslims can learn from an ancient Arab parable. Will inshaAllah make this as brief as poss. I beg your indulgence as the parable is central to the lessons for us going forward.

Once there was three black Bulls n a white one living in an open field surrounded by thick jungle where many wolves reside. Though life was difficult, they managed to keep themselves safe from the wolves by protecting each other n having each other’s backs.

One day the three black Bulls had a mtg. They said the white bull is problematic for them. Because he’s white he’s easy target for the wolves at night. As such we keep on having to protect him. So they decided to have nothing to do with the black bull.

That same night, the wolves attacked. They found it different fr previous nights. Less unity. They quickly figured out the white bull was boycotted. So they ganged up and attacked the lone white bull. Pretty soon they managed to overpower it, leading to its demise and a meal for the wolves.

The next night the wolves returned. Now there’s only three Bulls left. Although they put up strong resistance after several hours of struggle one of the Bulls fell and the wolves managed to devour it.

The following night only two Bulls remained. Though they put up a valiant fight they were exhausted soon after. One bull fell fr sheer exhaustion n the wolves pounced to devour him.

The next night there was only one bull left. It was an easy matter for the wolves. Before he met his violent end, the bull made a statement we all can learn from. He said , “I didn’t die today. I died the day when I allowed the White bull to die and did nothing to protect him.”

Bros n sis we need to learn from this wise parable. The Bulls represent us Muslims as a community. The wolves represent Shaitaan. We may have differences among ourselves. Oftentimes Shaitaan amplifies these differences. To an extent we consider the one outside our jemaah as the enemy. Some wayward individuals even see it fit to collaborate with outside forces in order to hurt the ‘other side’. And celebrate when we see the ‘other side’ being persecuted by forces outside our ranks.

The thing is the one that benefits is Shaitaan. And we must realise Shaitaan’s appetite is vociferous. Today we celebrate when their sheikh is attacked. Tomorrow our sheikh will be next. And then us and our families. Because Shaitaan will not rest until all of bani Adam is thrown into the hellfire.

So going forward we really need to wisen up. We are Muslims. In certain issues that does not reach core Aqeedah, we can have differences. We are One Ummah. It doesn’t mean we are carbon copies of one another. We can hold differing views.

But our stance is that if Shaitaan attacks one of us he’s attacking all of us. We should then close ranks and defend the right of our fellow Muslim.

Instead of feeding more fuel to the flame n stand back gleefully when the ‘other side’ is being devoured by Shaitaan.

Final word. And this is a reminder for me first n foremost. We should all watch our rhetoric. Some words come loaded with venom. These are meant primarily to label n vilify.

Moving forward I tell myself first and then remind my bros n sis to cool down the rhetoric. Avoid words and actions that drive a wedge between us.

We are Muslim brothers. We may have differences.

But we are one Ummah.

Wallahualam.

Pl share if u find this beneficial.

Source: Syed Danial

December 3, 2015
Government Agrees To HEB Recommendations For Thaipusam

The Government has agreed to most of the recommendations by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) on Thaipusam, which includes reinforcing the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol during the annual procession.

More religious music for devotees in the form of “music points” at seven locations on the Thaipusam route will also be added, said the HEB in a press release on Wednesday (Dec 2).

The third recommendation, which calls for the improvement of the movement and flow of devotees along the route, will allow for the last kavadi – intricate structures of steel and wood incorporating body piercings – to leave the Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple at 7pm.

These come after HEB completed a public feedback exercise – conducted over 10 sessions with more than 100 participants – on the religious festival.

HEB said it had taken “serious note” of the Government’s view that the primary concern was to tackle disorderly behaviour that occurred during the procession earlier this year.

The Feb 4 procession was marred by the arrest of three Singaporean men who were involved in a scuffle with police officers along Desker Road.

The trio were said to have hurled vulgarities at officers and injured one of them. They were later charged for disorderly behaviour and attacking police officers.

They were allegedly part of a group which hired drummers in the procession, with the altercation arising when they were told by the police to stop playing.

The incident, which was further inflamed by untrue remarks spread on social media, sparked a public outcry over the banning of music at Thaipusam, and led to Law Minister K. Shanmugam addressing the issue.

In a separate statement, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said its priority was to ensure public safety and maintain law and order.

It added that the foot procession “presents unique challenges in maintaining law and order”, as it draws around 10,000 devotees who walk more than 3km through the heart of Singapore over 26 hours. Thousands of supporters and onlookers also throng the route.

“The Police’s approach is to strike a balance between facilitating the procession and ensuring law and order,” said the statement.

“The actions of a few individuals can easily disrupt the event and risk the safety of other devotees and the public.”

Besides agreeing to the seven additional music points, which include four music transmission points and three live music instrument points, the SPF is also introducing resting bays and a dedicated lane for women and children devotees along Clemenceau Avenue.

HEB added in its press release: “The vast majority of participants are law-abiding and fulfil their religious obligations in an orderly manner. It is a small minority who seem to cause disturbance.

“Rules are therefore needed to ensure that the majority enjoy a safe and orderly Thaipusam.”

Later this month, HEB will start briefing participants of next year’s Thaipusam, which takes place on Jan 24.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

December 2, 2015
Pemerintah Harus Melarang Madonna Dari Membuat Persembahan Di Singapura

Tuan Yaacob Ibrahim,

Saya baca dengan amat prihatin terhadap berita akhbar Straits Times pada tarikh 29 Nov 2015 mengenai rancangan bagi penyanyi terkemuka, Madonna untuk mengadakan konsert di Singapura Februari depan. Pernampilan Madonna di dalam konsert-konsert sebelumnya agak keterlaluan, dengan pakaian yang menonjol mata, dan aksi-aksi yang tidak sesuai hingga boleh dikatakan amat lucah. Dia pernah dilarang membuat konsert di Singapura pada tahun 90an, mengikut akhbar Straits Times kerana persembahannya bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam. Persembahan Madonna tidak banyak berubah walaupun telah dimakan masa, beliau masih terus manyajikan bahan bahan kontroversial di dalam persembahannya. Madonna juga adalah penyokong kuat LGBT.

Dengan penyanyi Adam Lambert, yang sah mengaku dirinya sebagai seorang LGBT, dijemput sebagai tetamu khas di perayaan akhir tahun Singapura, tidakkah kehadiran Madonna akan menambah lagi anasir-anasir yang kurang sihat di kalangan belia-belia Islam di Singapura, yang masih mudah dipengaruhi minda mereka?

Sebagai Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi hal ehwal Islam, anda bertanggungjawab untuk melindungi kepentingan masysrakat Islam di Singapura. Jadi saya amat berharap yang Madonna tidak akan diberi kelulusan untuk mebuat persembahan di sini, seperti mana yang dilakukan oleh pihak kerjaan pada tahun 90an. Masayrakat Singapura amnya, dan masyarakat Islam Singapura khususnya, harus dilindungi dari anasir barat yang kurang sihat, seperti kaum LGBT dan konsert-konsert yang menampilkan aksi lucah.

Sebagai seorang Muslim yang bertanggungjawab, kita semua perlu memainkan peranan untuk membentuk belia yang bermoral dan kuat pegangan agama, bukan belia yang menyokong anasir anasir buruk.

Wasalam,

Syed

[Reader Contribution]

December 1, 2015
Organisers Of Miss/Mrs Asian International 2015 Singapore Must Review Their Objectives, Educate Malay/Muslim Public With Correct Moral Values

Nowadays many people want to be a pageant organiser but never really understand what is the purpose for and the right ethics. Especially when it comes to the Malay community. The organiser of this particular pageant called Ms/Mrs Asian International 2015, should take into consideration of their contestant not to expose her unsightly tattoo (see right-most contestant seated at front row).

Of course for the newer generation, tattoo is a form of art but it can be an issue among the Malay’s community. What exactly does the organiser is trying to portray for muslim married women out of this Ms/Mrs Asian International 2015 when their contestants are all Malays and few are with hijabs.

And also by the pageant title Ms/Mrs Asian International, what will other contestants and their supporters from other regions would possibly think?

This is not to condemn any of the the contestants. It is to highlight the responsibility of the organiser of this pageant to reflect on their objectives and to build awareness as in to educate the right moral values for our Malay married women and our young Malay’s community.

Anonymous

[Reader Contribution]

December 1, 2015