Category: Singapuraku

Singapura Tidak Boleh Biarkan Serangan Pengganas Pecah Belahkan Negara

Keharmonian kaum antara kaum dan agama berbeza adalah prinsip asas bagi Singapura.

Perdana Menteri Lee Hsien Loong berkata demikian sempena Hari Keharmonian Kaum hari ini (21 Jul).

Dalam satu catatan Facebook, PM Lee menulis rakyat Singapura harus merai kepelbagaian mereka dan berkongsi adat dan budaya satu sama lain.

Beliau berkata di banyak negara ada lebih banyak kes orang menolak kepelbagaian.

PM Lee merujuk kepada serangan pengganas baru-baru ini di Orlando, Amerika Syarikat, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nice di Perancis dan Puchong di Malaysia.

Setiap kejadian itu kata beliau sifatkan sebagai menakutkan, didorong kebencian dan menyayat hati.

Beliau menambah bahawa Singapura harus sentiasa bersatu sebagai satu bangsa, dan tidak membenarkan keadaan sedemikian memisah atau memecahbelahkan negara.

Sekolah di Singapura memperingati Hari Keharmonian Kaum bagi mengingati rusuhan kaum di Singapura pada 1964.

Dua rusuhan kaum selama lima hari itu mengakibatkan lebih 30 orang terbunuh dan sekurang-kurangnya 500 cedera.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

July 22, 2016
Musings Of A Chinese Muslim Convert: Muslims Must Reach Out

I consider myself well-educated, well-read and well-travelled. But that all don’t mean anything when I drive to the mosque in my luxury car, my $28,000 Rolex on my wrist with my tattoos showing. Some would wonder why a contractor is here – is there any work to be done?

The stares don’t stop when I perform my wudu and walk into the prayer hall. And yes, I’ve been shouted at and talked down to, a few times as well. As much as born-Muslims hate to admit it, they judge on physical appearance. They don’t care if I’ve donated thousands of dollars to the mosque or other charities, or if I’ve helped some hard-up people get a job. They only wish to see what they want to see.

If this is how I am being perceived, what about the other born-Muslim brothers who have more tattoos than me, who dress more lavishly or are publicly recognised in the papers for any crimes that they may have committed? What then? Would the stares stop? Or would the tongues stop wagging? Will people like us, who have chosen a different lifestyle be shown the same welcome?

The 2015 Central Narcotics Bureau statistics on drug abuse (http://www.cnb.gov.sg/Libraries/CNB_Newsroom_Files/CNB_2015_full_year_stats_final.sflb.ashx) show that there is an increase of Malay drug abusers of 7% from 2104 to 2105. Although that 7% translate to 114 persons, it’s still 1 person too many.

How many good Muslims have we lost to drugs, to anger, to violence, to arrogance? No doubt, for the most part is our own DNA. But we have been saying that their weak family ties, poor morals, or be it their social or economic structure is to blamed. But as a community, how often do WE blame ourselves? At some point or another in time, we would’ve passed judgement – leading to disrespect, not giving them the charity of a kind word or action. ALL of us are guilty of that. Instead of expecting them to change, why can’t we see that change needs to come from us?

I remember the very first time I visited Masjid Salim Mattar – 2 elderly men – the Imam and the Bilai, welcomed me with their warm smiles!!! Subahan Allah! The Bilai speaks good Hokkien too! How wonderful is that? I’ve not been there for a long time now because parking can be quite challenging, and I also prefer to go to the Masjid nearer my place. I still get calls and text messages saying that they miss me over there. Such is the community in Salim Mattar! May Allah bless all of them for their kindness and sincerity!

On the other hand, I got told off by one elderly man in a Masjid in Bukit Merah (I’m not too good with roads – so I may be mistaken), so unless I’m in a hurry and I know I won’t be able to perform my solat on time, I’ll not go there. Even if I may be closer geographically, I’ll skip that Masjid and drive further down. Not because I’m afraid of confrontations – oh no, not that. My close friends will tell you otherwise. But I see no need to have ill-feelings, especially when I want to perform my solat.

I used to give salam to the person on my left and on my right during congregational prayers. But I’ve been met with indifference and annoyance that I stopped. Not because I gave up – but I just don’t wish to disturb anyone. Maybe it’s just the culture. But I read somewhere that we should greet one another with at least a smile. In Malaysia, it is very different. Most people with give or return salams with both hands.

We, as a community need to do more. Opening our doors is not good enough. We don’t need to drag those who lost faith and hope in the religion to the Masjid. We can go to them. We can reach them through how we display our faith. If social or mainstream education on the evils of drug abuse, on hate and arrogance fails – as it has on them, then surely our faith must follow-up.

Do not gossip or back-talk on someone who has messed up. Instead, offer a prayer.

Source: http://chineseconvert.com/straying-from-religion

July 22, 2016
Sejarah Penting Kampung Tempe Di Singapura Dibongkar Dan Kini Dibukukan

Bagi generasi muda Singapura, ramai yang biasa makan tempe, namun mungkin tidak pernah mendengar tentang Kampung Tempe. Mungkin mereka lebih biasa dengan nama Masjid Al-Huda?

Sekitaran di mana terletaknya masjid tersebut sekarang, dahulunya merupakan kawasan Kampung Tempe, iaitu sebuah perkampungan kecil yang ditubuhkan pada awal tahun 1905 oleh sekumpulan orang Jawa.

Kini, Kampung Tempe tinggal kenangan dan mungkin namanya hanya akan meniti di bibir para penduduknya.

Namun, terdapat kisah-kisah menarik tentang Kampung Tempe yang perlu masyarakat tahu.

Oleh itu, buku ‘Kampung Tempe – Suara-suara Dari Sebuah Kampung Melayu’ (Kampung Tempe – Voices from a Malay Village), yang menghimpunkan kisah-kisah menarik tentang kampung tersebut daripada bekas para penduduknya sendiri, diterbitkan.

Menurut penulis buku tersebut, Cik Hidayah Amin, buku ini penting kerana ia merakamkan kisah-kisah menarik Kampung Tempe yang tidak diketahui ramai.

“Buku ini penting, kerana tidak banyak buku sejarah Melayu yang ditulis dalam bahasa Inggeris. Maka orang bukan Melayu boleh sama-sama membacanya,” Cik Hidayah memberitahu BERITAMediacorp mengenai buku dwibahasa itu.

Cik Hidayah menambah bahawa buku ini diharap dapat menarik minat ramai untuk mengenali sejarah penting Kampung Tempe.

“Banyak isu-isu menarik tentang Kampung Tempe termasuk sebuah madrasah – iaitu Bustanul Arifin, yang pengasasnya ialah Ustaz Hj Ahmad Sondhaji Mohamad. Buku ini mengupas bagaimana madrasah ini memenuhi keperluan penduduk Kampung Tempe pada lewat 80-an,” tambah beliau.

Jika namanya Kampung Tempe, maka dari kampung itu jugalah datangnya tempe pada waktu itu.

Buku itu turut menerangkan dengan lebih lanjut tentang proses pembikinan serta penjualan tempe di kampung tersebut.

Malah, tempe-tempe yang dibekalkan di Singapura pada waktu itu adalah dari kampung tersebut.

Menurut penulis bersama buku tersebut, Dr Yahaya Sanusi yang juga merupakan bekas penduduk Kampung Tempe, beliau menulis buku itu demi mendalami asal usul beliau.

“Tujuan saya menulis buku itu adalah untuk mencari jawapan kepada soalan dari mana saya datang, siapa moyang saya, apa yang berlaku ketika itu,” kongsi Dr Yahaya kepada BERITAMediacorp.

“Setiap kampung itu penting walaupun yang sekecil kampung tempe, maka kalau kita tidak mengkaji sejarahnya, gambaran Singapura itu seperti tidak sempurna,” tambah beliau.

Buku ‘Kampung Tempe – Voices from a Malay Village’, akan dilancarkan pada Sabtu (23 Jul) sempena pameran ‘Pusaka: Warisan dan Budaya Jawa di Singapura’.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

July 21, 2016
New Faith, New Lives

When train captain Muhammad Joy Kumar Paul turned 25 in May, he celebrated by converting to Islam.

The ceremony was held at the Muslim Converts’ Association (MCAS) and witnessed by his closest friends and fiancee’s family. That same day, he attended his first Friday prayers as a Muslim at Assyakirin Mosque, near his home in Taman Jurong.

Mr Muhammad was brought up in a Buddhist family, but growing up with Malay friends, he knew “how a Muslim behaves, what they are supposed to do and what they do not do”.

Still, he never expected to become a Muslim until he met Ms Syuhaidah Sha’ada, a 24-year-old pre-school teacher.

The couple got engaged in June but it was not an easy decision. They had a serious talk about their relationship in the long term and considered breaking up.

On his own accord, however, he researched and watched videos by Islamic scholars online, as well as talked to Muslim friends, to learn more about the religion.

Mr Muhammad lives with his mother, who is divorced, and elder sister. Both felt it was his decision to make. He also attended beginner courses at MCAS last year.

Every year, about 600 people convert to Islam at the three-storey building located in Onan Road in Joo Chiat.

Also known as Darul Arqam Singapore, the one-stop centre for converts was set up in 1980 to oversee the welfare, religious guidance and problems of new converts.

All prospective converts are encouraged to take up basic courses on Islam. Mr Muhammad went through Ramadan as a Muslim for the first time this year. The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is a holy period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around the world.

While there have been challenges, he has been touched by the support of his loved ones.

His mother, a Buddhist, cooks the food he wants to eat and made sure there was food in the morning when he woke up to break fast during Ramadan. She buys meat and produce that is certified halal for his sake.

Like Mr Muhammad, Ms Rachel Aryssa Chung, 39, converted to Islam two months ago. The customer insight and communications manager at a gas company found fasting during Ramadan to be particularly challenging.

“What’s more, coffee is not recommended because it dehydrates the body but I don’t function well without coffee. I always tell my colleagues I’m not human until I have my coffee,” she said, laughing.

Divorced for 10 years, Ms Chung has two daughters. She has been dating a Muslim for a year and is still learning about her new faith.

It was her own decision to convert. She said of her new faith: “I feel that it’s a very comprehensive and disciplined faith. How you should treat other people, how you should behave as a person. We’re encouraged to pray five times a day. When you do things like that, I feel that it changes you as a person.”

Source: The Straits Times

July 21, 2016
Remains Of Missing Woman Found At Lim Chu Kang; Man Arrested

She was last seen on July 11 at 9.15pm around Fusionopolis Walk at one-north in Buona Vista.

When Ms Cui Yajie, 31, an engineer, did not show up for work the next day, her colleagues felt something was amiss.

Two days later, they filed a missing person report. The police made a public appeal for her whereabouts the next day.

Last night, more than a week after Ms Cui went missing, what were believed to be her remains were found at Lim Chu Kang Lane 8.

A 48-year-old suspect had led police to the gruesome find at the deserted road near dairy farms.

The man had been arrested earlier that day.

Because of the suspicious circumstances relating to the case, officers from Clementi Division worked closely with officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Police Intelligence Department to identify and arrest him, the police said.

The suspect is expected to be charged with murder today. If convicted, he faces the mandatory death penalty.

Last night, the site at Lim Chu Kang was heavily cordoned off by the police, as officers armed with flashlights and cameras worked to recover the remains of the body.

A Health Sciences Authority forensics team joined them later but left at about 1am.

The New Paper understands that no weapon was involved in the murder, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the victim’s identity.

A woman believed to be a colleague had posted an appeal for witnesses on Tuesday online.

According to the post, Ms Cui works as an engineer at a semiconductor company.

She was described as a cheerful and warm person who makes friends easily.

The 1.6m-tall woman from Tianjin, China, was wearing a black blouse and a green skirt when she went missing. She had stayed back at work until 9pm.

She did not arrive home or go to work the next day.

TNP understands that Ms Cui’s family, who is in China, is on the way to Singapore.

Source: The New Paper

July 21, 2016