Last year, after Lee Kuan Yew’s death on 23rd March, a lot of Muslims in Singapura were shocked and disgusted by MUIS.
Prior to his death, we saw how mass grieving was “encouraged” by the government and the media.
Muslims spoke of making doa for him and referred to him as their father or grandpa.
When he died, some Muslims prayed that he would be placed with the solihin.
Muslim organisations fell over themselves singing his praises and declaring their sadness.
And MUIS, as the authority for the Muslim community, led the way. They used the khutbah Jumaat to praise Lee Kuan Yew:
“Saudara-saudara sidang Jumaah yang dirahmati Allah,
Pemergian Perdana Menteri Pertama, mendiang Encik Lee Kuan Yew, telah menyentuh setiap rakyat Singapura, termasuk kita para anggota masyarakat Islam. Amat besar sekali kesan yang beliau tinggalkan kepada kehidupan berbilang agama dan bangsa negara ini. Di peringkat antarabangsa, beliau telah memimpin sebuah pemerintah yang membangunkan Singapura menjadi negara maju yang dikagumi dan dicemburui dunia. Ini tercapai, antaranya melalui kesungguhan beliau memastikan keharmonian hubungan antara kaum, kemajuan ekonomi dan kecemerlangan pendidikan.
Marilah kita merenung dan mengambil iktibar daripada kehidupannya. Beliau telah pergi meninggalkan warisannya.”
A lot of Muslims felt that for MUIS to use the masjid, the mimbar to praise someone who has discriminated and oppressed Muslims for decades was not only in poor taste, but an abuse of their management powers.
Especially when they do not show such love and admiration when our ulama passed away.
But after the khutbah, some information came to light.
According to sources inside MUIS, the khutbah praising Lee Kuan Yew was not part of their plan.
Instead, they were told to say it. And we believe that this situation will happen happen again whether this year or in the coming years.
From the information we received, MUIS was told to do three things for Kuan Yew during solat Jumaat:
1. A minute silence during khutbah to honour his death
2. Make a congregational doa for Lee Kuan Yew
3. Praise him during the khutbah.
MUIS tried to reject the demands but was not able to. They needed to show their loyalty to the government.
But the first two demands were too much. They compromised and agreed to praise him during khutbah Jumaat.
These are the information that were relayed to us and we welcome MUIS clarifying it.
If these information are true, then it shows that while there are a lot of systemic problems in MUIS, the abuse of the mimbar, of the masjid to praise Lee Kuan Yew may not be due to them.
They were powerless to reject the demand.
But that they are powerless is also the very problem we need to resolve.
They are powerless because MUIS staff, their leaders, are government servants.
They are compelled to support government policies and demands, even when it goes against Islam.
Whether it is the denial of hijab, the destruction of masjid, the taking of wakaf land or the use of khutbah to praise a politician, MUIS is unable to stand up against the government.
Because they have to listen and follow government demands, they not only affect their organisation…
But also how we practice our religion.
Source: Almakhazin SG
