Category: Agama

The Tudung Issue: Open Letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

I hope that what I am going to say here will help to make you reconsider your stance with regard to several issues which the Malay Muslim community has long been unhappy about, the latest of which concerns its women folks’ desire to wear the tudung wherever their employment may be.

To say that the Malay Muslim community is sad and disappointed with your decision to still disallow its woman folks in certain sectors of employment to don the tudung is an understatement.

As usual the mainstream media tried to paint a different picture with its lopsided report. The Berita Harian topped it up with a group photo of seemingly happy, smiling people to give the false impression that the community is happy with your decision. I do not see any sensible reason as to why they should be smiling.

Inso far as this issue is concerned the community has been keeping track of statements made by your ministers, including those of the Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs and members of Parliament from your party over the last few months.

I read the statement you made after last Saturday’s dialog session several times over to try and make some sense of what you were saying and what message it was supposed to convey.

I find it strange that in spite of having lived among Malay Muslims all your life and after more than 50 years lording over the people – 55 years of PAP rule since 1959 – you and senior members of your party still do not understand the psyche of the Malays and their steadfastness over their religious faith.

Perhaps you have been relying too much on feedback from the mainstream media and from people around you who may include those who regard themselves ulamas and who have the tendency of making a virtue of telling you only what they think you would like to hear. Many among them may have mastered the art of posturing or are simply playing the PR game.

If you continue to rely on the mainstream media – in this case the Berita Harian,which many in the community feel is being micro managed by your Minister in charged of Muslim Affairs – for your feedback and be counseled largely by people around you,chances are you will remain blissfully ignorant of what the Malay ground is really saying.

Some are already saying that the Prime Minister seems to think that he is now mightier than God since he has the power to easily overrule what has been made obligatory by the religion.

They are not happy that they have to subject themselves to the discretion and whims and of the government even in carrying out certain aspects of their religious obligation.

Granted that not all Muslim women will want to put on the tudung even if they are allowed to. That is their personal choice and they are answerable to God for their defiance. As for those who choose to don the tudung it is felt that there should not be an earthly power to prevent them from doing so. Even the Constitution guarantees them the freedom to practise their religion.

You also warned against a ‘push back’ from the other communities should we insist on having it our way.

At the same time you noted that the issue over the tudung was an old one and that you fully appreciate the desire of those who want the headscarf to be able to be worn by women more freely. According to you the change has got to be gradual.

It can be agreed that change has got to be gradual. We have no quarrel with that and have been patiently waiting for change to happen. There has not been muchprogress since the 10 years that the issue last surfaced. We are neither asking for any concession nor are we taking anything away from or even depriving the other communities of anything, let alone intruding into their space.

As such the likelihood of any push back from the other communities is very remote.It is only your government that is making it sound so threatening. Singaporeans are very rational people and when given the proper explanation as well as by citing examples shown by other countries where Muslims make up even smaller numbers there is less likelihood that they would raise any objection.

As things stand today, there is no evidence that members of the other communities are unhappy if Muslims women are allowed to wear the tudung no matter where their places of employment may be. They have got so usedto such sights. Contrary to what you think, my experience shows that they are quite supportive of our effort. This only goes to show how out of the touch you and your government are with the ground.

I shall not dwell into the example you mentioned, equating the tudung issue with the putting up of Chinese language signs on the circle line as I feel that it is irrelevant in this discussion and totally out of context. This can be discussed at another forum.

ButI agree that the issue at hand is broader than the tudung itself. I suppose you are trying to say that you have to be fair to followers of the other faiths, hence the term ‘push back ‘. I suppose the breath of the issue also include the need to broaden the common space and your government’s declared intention to build an inclusive society.

I find this argument quite hollow and insincere. On the one hand you and yourministers talk about broadening the common space and the government’s desire in building aninclusive society. But on the other hand and in practice you are shrinking the common space by importing large numbers of immigrants mainly from the People’s Republic of China, India and the Philippines to swarm our limited space and in the process making life less bearable for Singaporeans. This has also further reduced the percentage of Malays compared to the others. Again no worries about any push back.

But what is so annoying and detestable to the Malays is the carving out of areas and making them exclusive to non Malays and Muslims. In case you miss the point I am referring to your long time discriminatory national service policy which bars us from large sectors of the armed forces, especially the in the more specialised areas in the army, the air force and the navy.

You have turned these sectors into exclusive domains of the non Malays and non Muslims.And you still have the audacity to talk about broadening the common space andbuilding an inclusive society? Can there be more hypocritical than this. We are taken to be fools.

The psychological, and to a certain extent, economic, damage this destructive policy has done to the nation as a whole and to the Muslims in particular is incalculable.This is no way to build a united multi ethnic nation. Of course you are not worried about any push back since non Malays make up an overwhelming 86.6% of the population.

For the sake of our future as a peaceful, united and progressive nation urgent steps need to be taken to make right where you have gone wrong.

You may begin by allowing our Muslim female nurses to don the tudung and gradually the other sectors like the Customs and Immigration, the Civil Defence and the rest. This should be followed by changes to other areas. Let us celebrate our diversity in unity.

Sincerely yours,

Mohamed Jufrie Mahmood

June 9, 2014
MUIS Doing A Good Job – No Need To Set Up New Islamic Independent Body

Credit: Nasiruddin Pungut

Credit: Nasiruddin Pungut

READ THIS ARTICLE FIRST TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER ON

The problem when you have an independent body to issue so called Islamic regulations or fatwa’s, disagreement/misunderstanding might arise, just look at our neighbouring Malaysia.

What they face is something which Singaporeans should avoid, in their case, different states have different Muftis and sometimes their fatwas or religious opinion clash with one another. Now if Singapore has their own independent Islamic body to regulate all these issues, who exactly are the committee who will regulate all these issues? How do we know that these so called independent Ulamas come up with such regulations not for their own benefit? In fact it causes more mistrust because these so called ‘independent body’ think they are holier than thou.

I think the author is just another sour-grape who has personal issues with MUIS. What MUIS has done for the Malay Muslim community in Singapore is commendable despite the lack of funding, support. The system is not perfect but it has serve its purpose bcos no system is perfect.

Honestly if the author think covering Aurat is a major issue well think again. I would rather have a lady who never covers her aurat but yet contribute more to the society than a hijab lady who is hypocrite and and gossips too much with her fellow hijab frens. A hijab person doesnt also mean that she prays 5 times daily, in fact she just could have put on hijab out of family pressure. So focus on the main social issue first before coming up with such petty issues.

Im sure Allah is forgiving. In fact we humans tend to judge others more… it’s also very stupid to actually declare Jihad on this or Jihad on that not everything has to be Jihad… Just use more common sense.

If the author thinks that by having an independent body to regulate Islamic regulations and fatwas, then they need to come up with reasons and even flaws which MUIS has overlooked before we can consider having an independent body. Otherwise don’t waste other’s ppl time with such proposals, bcos then you are just like a ‘rebel without a cause’…

Authored by Nasiruddin Pungut

EDITOR’S NOTE

Nasiruddin Pungut shares his view in reference to a previous letter written by R1C reader named Firdaus Abdul Samad who felt that there should be a new set up of an Independent Ulama Body to closely look into matters of Muslims in Singapore.

Good to share opinion and exchange of ideas. What is your view about this matter? Do you think Singapore should have an Independent Ulama/Islamic Body or not? Share you opinion with us at Rilek1Corner.

SEE MORE ARTICLES ON MUIS-RELATED ISSUES

June 5, 2014
Kembalikan IRK Dalam Kurikulum MOE Demi Anak-Anak Kita

Credit: Atan Flybaits

Siapa ada album kumpulan Flybaits?

Kita tidak sedar bahawa orang melayu Singapura sudah kehilangan dua elemen yang penting dalam masyarakat kita, ia itu ugama dan bahasa, kalau dulu jarang sekali kita ketemu anak melayu yang tak tahu kan ugama, tapi sekarang masaalah ini adalah perkara biasa, serupa juga dengan bahasa, maka kehilangan ini bukan lah di peringkat permulaan, ia di peringkat pertengahan – tapi jika kita berusaha mendesak pemerintah mengembali kan pelajaran IRK kepada kurikulum sekolah anak anak kita, masaalah ini akan dapat di tangani dengan meluas, maka di sini kita perlukan kerja sama para AP AP melayu Islam, tak kira sama ada dari pihak pembangkang atau pemerintah.

Bagi pihak rakrat pula, kita perlu kan suara semua lapisan rakyat, tak kira dari golongan apa pun, dari golongan cendekiawan atau peniaga atau pekerja pekerja biasa, jika kita satu kan suara kita lalu mendesak pemerintah untuk mengembalikan pelajaran IRK ke sekolah sekolah kita, hasil nya seumpama melontar sebiji batu untuk mendapat kan dua atau tiga ekor burung.

Pertama, kita dapat atasi masaalah anak anak yang tak tahu ugama, kedua , dengan ini masaalah asatizah yang sulit nak dapat kerja juga dapat di atasi dan ketiga, pelajaran ugama ini di ajarkan di dalam bahasa melayu, lalu masaalah bahasa juga dapat kita tangani, dan akan jadi lebih baik jika guru guru ugama ini juga di tugaskan mengajar bahasa melayu,lalu ini tidak akan membebankan tugas guru guru yang sedia ada.

Tapi usaha ini tidak akan Berjaya kecuali kita dapat sokongan dari bawah ke atas, maksud nya permintaan rakyat dan sokongan dari ahli ahli politik sama ada dari pihak pemerintah dan pembangkang !! tidak ada alasan bagi mereka untuk mengatakan bahwa mereka akan kehilangan undi bangsa lain, kerana, pelajaran IRK adalah menuju kearah membentuk maanusia maanusia yang baik , lalu ia akan menghakis sifat sifat buruk dari anak anak kita dan membuat negara kita sebuah negara yang lebih selamat dan sejahtera.

Sumber: Atan Flybaits

EDITOR’S NOTE

Mungkin ramai anak-anak muda sekarang tidak tahu bahawa Encik Atan ‘Flybaits’ adalah seorang penyanyi yang terkenal pada suatu masa dahulu. Lagu-lagunya masih bergemang di stesen-stesen radio tempatan dan juga di seberang tambak. Kumpulan ‘Flybaits’ merupakan kumpulan penyanyi Singapura yang terkenal dengan lagu Kenangan Lalu. Diketuai oleh penyanyi vokal, Fredo.

Kami di Rilek1Corner mengalu-alukan pendapat sesiapapun, tidak kira selebriti atau orang-orang biasa sahaja seperti kami di sini.

Nak tahu siapa gerangan Encik Atan Flybaits yang bersuara merdu ni? Tontonilah video ini 🙂

June 5, 2014
Time For SG Muslims To Break Free from MUIS

Credit: Guardian

Dear R1C,

I have been keeping watch on the recent developments in the Muslim community pertaining to several important issues like the halal certification matters, MUIS’s flaccid performance on hijab issue, and zero counter measures on Pink Dot SG event this 28 June 2014 which coincidentally falls on the first day of Ramadhan. As a result of the indifference of MUIS towards taking action in the interests of the Muslim community, this has further pushed Muslims into losing faith in the secular fabric of the country.

As Muslims, we are fully aware eating halal and tayyib food is an important as a matter of worship of God where general principle what is lawful and what is good (Tayyib) should be followed. The food service sector is deemed to be the final link in the entire food industry supply chain and as this industry experiences a rapid growth, the duty of ensuring the food is halal has been shifted to restaurant operators and this can be seen through the introduction of halal standard. However, many restaurant operators did not comply with this halal standard and led to halal fraudulent practices. Reports on halal fraudulent decrease the confidence level amongst the Muslims. What’s more saddening is the tacit approach taken by MUIS and its entirely owned Halal consultancy company known as Warees Halal.

When it comes to hijab issue, attempts to resolve the tudung/hijab issue by the MUIS and the government remained unsatisfactory. Religious attires do not contribute to social disharmony and disunity and the wearing of headscarves definitely does not contribute to social disintegration. Since late last year, there has been ongoing debate on how the Government should review its stand of not allowing the tudung for certain uniformed public sector jobs, to fit the community’s aspirations. Tudung is an important religious obligation and one which symbolises a woman’s dignity and decency. There is a growing number of the grievances of fellow Muslims who face difficulties in fulfilling the religious obligation in covering the aurat due to the tudung restriction in some workplaces. The Muslims in Singapore appreciate the willingness by some government agencies for allowing Muslim women to fulfill this religious obligation. Such flexibility should be extended to all government agencies as it will reflect the government’s effort in promoting multiculturalism, and be made an example for the private sector. In alignment with the principles of individual rights and religious freedom, Muslim women who are wearing the tudung should be given equal opportunities and treatment in their workplace or in finding employment. We heard murmurs from MUIS and PERGAS, but what has been done so far? The hijab issue has been swept under the carpet again.

While Muslims celebrate the coming of blessed month Ramadhan, unfortunately many Muslims will also celebrate with the LGBT during their annual PinkDot party at Hong Lim Park. If Muslims continue to sit back in our state of docility, the PinkDot movement will keep on pushing their agenda. However, this does not mean that Muslims must ostracize the strayed homosexual Muslims. Instead, Muslims should come together and take the steps to make them understand Islam even more, and create the necessary avenue or platform for them to interact with true Muslims who love Allah and strive to make amends to improve themselves. Without such avenue/platform, Muslims are alienating these pro-LGBT supporters and activists from any of our outreach efforts. It will be a tumultuous journey but we pray that the families and friends involved are taking steps in the right direction to help their strayed loved ones. We need help from a group of professionals to help these strayed Muslims, but who do we turn to when every single action needs authorization and clearance from the MUIS and the Government?

After such a long drawn out jihad on these issues with insignificant outcome, it is high time to call for the set up of a new independent ulama body that closely oversees matters of Muslims in Singapore. Something that works like PERGAS but free from government influence and control. Indeed, the Muslim community, has fallen into unIslamic ways and needs clerical leadership in order to return to the fundamentals of the faith.

Authored by Mohd Firdaus Samad

June 4, 2014
Askar Malaysia Makan Haiwan Haram Ketika Latihan Darurat di Hutan

Credit: Facebook Listen Listen Original

Sebuah laman Facebook Listen Listen Original pada 31 Mei lepas mempersoalkan beberapa keping gambar yang memaparkan beberapa anggota tentera yang dipercayai dari negara Malaysia menikmati pelbagai juadah makanan di dalam hutan.

Menurut Facebook berkenaan, anggota tentera berkenaan mungkin dari Malaysia berdasarkan pakaian seragam mereka dan dilihat menjalani latihan memakan benda ‘haram’ sebagai latihan ketika darurat.

Gambar itu dikatakan dipaparkan pada mulanya di laman web maahadsas.edu.my mengatakan bahawa para anggota itu diberi latihan kelangsungan hidup atau bagaimana cara untuk menangkap, memasak serta memakan.

Di status Facebook berkenaan turut dipaparkan persoalan apakah tujuan sebenar latihan sebegitu diadakan dan ia dirujuk pula kepada kemungkinan latihan seorang ibu yang terdesak masalah kewangan untuk menjadi pelacur.

Selepas puas memberikan soalan berbaur provokasi baru laman Facebook itu memohon pencerahan daripada Jawatankuasa Fatwa Kebangsaan dalam isu gambar anggota tentera memakan haiwan yang pelik-pelik yang didakwa haram itu.

Sumber: Facebook Listen Listen Original

EDITOR’S NOTE

Isu-isu sebegini juga ada tempiasnya di Singapura dan ianya juga menimbulkan tanda tanya tentang askar-askar kita yang beragama Islam: apakah mereka boleh memakan haiwan-haiwan yang boleh dikategorikan sebagai haram atau binatang liar ketika LATIHAN DARURAT?

Mungkin ada baiknya kita renungkan bersama. Antara agama dan juga negara ketika latihan darurat seperti ini.

Semoga kita akan mendapatkan penjelasan daripada pihak yang lebih ahli supaya masyarakat umum tidak membuat simpulan sendiri yang tidak berasas dan kurang bernas.

Selama ini, isu-isu sensitif seperti ini tidak dibicarakan secara terbuka. Inilah masanya.

June 4, 2014