Tag: ISIL

Singapore In The Anti-IS Coalition: A Missed Opportunity

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

I’ve debated whether to post this.

Decided I should.

In the last few weeks, there was an issue that was extremely important for the Muslim community here to address. Yet as a whole, we did not. For whatever reasons.

I refer to PM Lee’s announcement that the SG govt was considering joining the ‘coalition of the bombing’.

Instead of addressing the issue – the elephant in the room in my view – they chose to address the dog issue.

The situation is akin to what happened in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War and the setting up of a US airbase in Dahran. Instead of addressing the issue, the ‘establishment ulema’ there chose to focus their attention to a Muslimah who – heaven forbid – decided to drive. Aparently that’s far more impt than the issue of an entire airbase being situated very near to Islam’s holiest shrines. But I digress.

Let’s recap. After Minister Shanmugam posting something on IS on his FB, suddenly so many establishment asatizahs start falling all over themselves to condemn IS. Not in their name, they chorused dutifully. The asatiahs were from RSIS and MUIS. The big guns, so to speak. Then The head of PERGAS gave an interview on national TV, condemning in no uncertain terms IS and again chorusing ‘not in our name’.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not support IS. Im saying these acts do not happen in a vacuum. US atrocities, the bombing of entire Muslim villages by drones, the killing of many Muslims attending a wedding feast, CIA and Mosad complicity in the genesis of IS…. all these are conveniently left out of the narrative.

Then there’s the woeful episode of the black flags. Asatizahs began writing articles, questioning the authenticity of the hadith on Khurasan and the black flags. Firstly, it was done in a rather lop-sided manner. Eg, in a particular chain that was quoted by both Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Ahmad, it was said that Imam Tirmidhi considered the chain weak. But what did Imam Ahmad say about it? Next, two places were mentioned: Khoorasan and Jerusalam. There are other ahadith about a Muslim army liberating Jerusalem, and the hadith is muttafaqqun alaih – of the highest possible authenticity. This was not mentioned. Also, there appears to be numerous chains of the hadith. And these chains could strengthen one another, making it collectively sahih. Not to mention these ahadith appear in the canonical six collections of ahadith – collectively the most authentic we have.

Then the ED of PERGAS saw fit to talk to BH about it not being right to purchase the flag, as it would make non Muslims uncomfortable. Truly, that’s a preposterous statement. Should we then censor the Quran? After all, the end of Bakarah is a doa for Allah azzawajal to Grant us victory agst the non Believers? That’s juz one eg out of many.

We are told we should have husnu zhon. But shouldn’t these asatizahs have husno zhon on the Muslims who had purchased the flags, without realising its bigger implications? Should the asatizahs not contact these people personally and advise them to remove it from FB? To my knowledge this wasn’t done. And our brothers were hauled up by the authorities and have to answer for their deeds, with all the attendant worry the family had to go thru.

Now, after the govt announced that they would join the ‘coalition of the bombing’ and the issue has become fait accompli, some among the asatizahs are voicing out their displeasure. A little too late no? Or is it an attempt to recover lost legitimacy, since there has been voices ‘encouraging’ out estab asatizahs to join the jihad?

Final word. Late for Jumuah. We hope our pol leaders and estab asatizahs enjoy their paychecks and coming EOY bonus. If u r MUIS staff, bear in mind it comes from the Fitrah fund.

A reminder these things come with strings attached.

We hope and pray there will not be hell to pay.

Gotta go for now. I’m not done yet. will dress our own complicity in this.

Wallahualam. Barakallahufeek.

Authored by Syed Danial on 7 Nov 2011.

November 12, 2014
Saudi Arabia Keluar Fatwa Untuk Jelaskan Mengapa Islam Harus Tolak IS

RIYADH: Kepimpinan kanan ulama Arab Saudi telah mengeluarkan fatwa baru yang mengisytiharkan pengganasan sebagai “jenayah kejam” di bawah undang-undang syariah – yang merupakan satu lagi komitmen kerajaan Saudi untuk menolak IS dan kekejaman militan itu kononnya sebagai perjuangan atas nama Islam.

“Pengganasan adalah bertentangan dengan tujuan agama Islam, iaitu membawa rahmat di seluruh dunia.

“Pengganasan tidak ada kaitannya dengan Islam dan merupakan ideologi yang menyimpang.

“Pengganasan tidak lebih daripada hanya kerosakan dan jenayah yang ditolak oleh undang-undang syariah dan akal budi,” kata para ulama dalam kenyataan yang dilaporkan Saudi Press Agency, seperti yang ditukil akhbar The Guardian.

Sebarang Muslim yang berfikir bahawa jihad bermakna menyertai kumpulan pengganas “merupakan golongan yang bodoh dan tersesat,” tambah kumpulan ulama itu.

Kewaspadaan Arab Saudi tentang militan IS kini semakin kuat sejak beberapa bulan kebelakangan ini.

Raja Abdullah telah menggesa majlis ulama – badan agama negara itu – supaya bergerak lebih cepat mengutuk pengganasan dan mengurangkan tarikan kepada IS selepas Arab Saudi dan sembilan negara Arab lain menyertai perikatan antarabangsa yang dipimpin Amerika Syarikat untuk memerangi IS di Iraq dan Syria.

Putera Mohammed bin Nayef, Menteri Dalam Negeri Arab Saudi, digambarkan di Riyadh sebagai penggerak utama di sebalik strategi dengan keselamatan dalam negeri dan dasar serantau diselaraskan dengan lebih berkesan bagi menangani IS.

Februari lalu, Arab Saudi telah memerintahkan hukuman penjara bagi orang yang menyokong pertubuhan pengganas atau membuat perjalanan ke Syria atau Iraq bagi menyertai IS.

Awal September lalu, 88 orang telah diberkas kerana menyokong Al-Qaeda dan pemimpin IS, Abu Bakar al-Bagdadi.

Rakyat Arab Saudi kini membentuk kontinjen kedua terbesar pejuang Arab yang berjuang bersama IS.

Arab Saudi sebelum ini dikejutkan dengan kritikan bahawa negara itu menyokong IS walaupun para pengamat berkata sokongan kewangan yang diberikan Arab Saudi adalah bagi kumpulan Islam yang menentang Presiden Syria, Encik Bashar al-Assad.

Namun beberapa pihak berkata bantuan itu akhirnya mengalir kepada kumpulan yang dikaitkan dengan Al-Qaeda dan IS.

Selepas menewaskan Al-Qaeda dalam kempen anti keganasan pada 2004, kerajaan Arab Saudi bimbang dengan kesan rakyat Arab Saudi yang pulang selepas berjuang di Syria dan Iraq.

Sementara itu, Mufti Besar Arab Saudi, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Asheikh, memberi amaran bahawa musuh Islam kini menggunakan laman web sosial seperti Twitter untuk menyebarkan perkara palsu tentang Islam selain menyerang penganutnya.

Portal berita Arab News melaporkan Sheikh Abdul Aziz meminta penduduk Arab Saudi yang menggunakan Twitter supaya berfikir terlebih dahulu sebelum menyiarkan apa-apa di akaun mereka.

Beliau menggesa penduduk Arab Saudi agar memastikan apa yang disiarkan di akaun mereka akan menjaga kepentingan negara dan tidak memburukkan pemerintah negara ini.

“Mereka yang memburukkan Islam tanpa malu tidak mempunyai sebarang pegangan dan tidak takut kepada Tuhan,” katanya dalam satu rancangan televisyen.

Beliau berkata, Twitter menjadi laman web yang mempromosikan pelbagai jenis “kejahatan dan kerosakan”.

“Penggunaan yang baik adalah apabila orang ramai yang menggunakan laman web itu mendapat faedah, namun sebaliknya mereka menggunakannya bagi perkara bukan-bukan,” jelasnya. – Agensi berita.

“Pengganasan adalah bertentangan dengan tujuan agama Islam, iaitu membawa rahmat di seluruh dunia. Pengganasan tidak ada kaitannya dengan Islam dan merupakan ideologi yang menyimpang.”

– Fatwa kepimpinan kanan ulama Arab Saudi.

Source: www.beritaharian.sg

November 11, 2014
Leader Of The Islamic State Wounded In US-led Air Strike

The leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was “critically wounded” when a U.S.-led air strike targeted the western Iraqi border town of al-Qaim, tribal sources told Al Arabiya News Channel on Saturday.

U.S. Central Command confirmed in a statement that U.S.-led air strikes targeted ISIS leaders near their northern Iraqi hub of Mosul late Friday, without confirming whether Baghdadi was killed, AFP reported.

“This strike demonstrates the pressure we continue to place on the ISIL [ISIS] terrorist network and the group’s increasingly limited freedom to maneuver, communicate and command,” U.S. Central Command said.

Anbar province MP Mohammad al-Karbuli told Al Arabiya News Channel that coalition aircraft had targeted a gathering of ISIS leaders in al-Qaim that led to the killing of tens of people and wounded many more.

Karbuli said chaos ensued the air raid with ISIS members scrambling to transport their wounded to al-Qaim hospital which was overwhelmed with the number of patients.

Reuters news agency quoted two witnesses as saying an air strike targeted a house where senior ISIS officers were meeting, near al-Qaim.

The witnesses said ISIS fighters had cleared a hospital so that their wounded could be treated. ISIS fighters used loudspeakers to urge residents to donate blood, the witnesses said.

The agency also quoted residents as saying there were unconfirmed reports that ISIS’ local leader in the western Iraqi province of Anbar and his deputy were killed.

Source: http://english.alarabiya.net

November 10, 2014
At Least Two Singaporeans Went to Syria to Join ISIS

SINGAPORE: The escalation of violence in Syria and Iraq over the last three months, as well as the expansion of the Islamic State (IS) threat beyond the two countries’ borders, have raised the security threat posed to Singapore. Two Ministers took turns to address concerns raised by Members of Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 7).

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean shared the Government’s assessment of the situation, while Foreign Affairs Minister, K Shanmugam said that countering the terrorism threat has to ultimately be “in the arena of ideas”.

COUNTERING EXTREMIST IDEOLOGY

Mr Shanmugam said as many as 15,000 people from about 80 countries could have joined IS and other radical groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. This is the largest mobilisation of foreign fighters since the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s – the conflict that ultimately created the Al Qaeda terrorist network.

This region is not immune to the threat, with many joining in the fight in Syria and Iraq, he said. To combat the threat, Mr Shanmugam raised three points.

Firstly, international solidarity and action will send a strong signal to the IS that the world has rejected its extremist agenda.

Secondly, IS in both Iraq and Syria must be dealt with as one entity. He said any overall strategy must include a political solution to end the conflict in Syria, and political will to develop an inclusive and tolerant government in Iraq.

Lastly, military force alone will not be enough. “Military force is necessary to blunt IS on the ground but missiles and rockets alone cannot and will not bring peace,” said Mr Shanmugam. “This brings me to my third point – the true fight has to be in the arena of ideas. We have to counter the extremist ideology which is used to recruit foreigners to terrorism and fuel their violent agenda.”

He added that the threat posed by IS was real and everyone must do their part to combat global terrorism.

THE THREAT TO SINGAPORE

Mr Teo elaborated on the threat of the IS closer to home. IS continues to actively recruit foreign fighters – including Southeast Asians – and its brutality is not confined to beheadings of Westerners, but also to the killing of other Muslims and minority communities in Syria and Iraq, Mr Teo told Parliament.

A United States-led coalition of more than 40 countries, including several Arab states, is now taking counter-action against IS, he added.

“We currently have no information of any specific threat to us resulting directly from beheadings of IS and the anti-IS strikes,” Mr Teo said. “However, our assessment remains that the expansion of the IS threat beyond Syria and Iraq has raised the threat not only to countries who are part of the US-led coalition but also to Singapore.”

As with the threat from Al-Qaeda, he said, “even if Singapore is not itself a target, foreign interests here may be targeted. This House may recall that Al Qaeda, working with the Jemaah Islamiyah Group, had planned to bomb the US and other embassies in Singapore in 2002”.

There are also reports that some Malaysians and Indonesians who have fought for IS have formed a militant group called Katibah Nusantara Lid Daulah Islamiyyah, or Malay Archipelago Unit for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

“If this group expands in Southeast Asia, it will pose a regional terrorism threat like the JI terrorist network, which had also aimed to set up a Southeast Asian Islamic Archipelago that encompassed Singapore, through the use of violence and terrorism,” Mr Teo said.

LOCAL SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE

The DPM said Singapore’s security agencies are working with its security partners to monitor the situation in Syria and Iraq closely though the exchange of information, and will cooperate with them to counter the threat posed by foreign terrorists to Singapore.

There are also measures to prevent Singaporeans from getting involved in the violence there or from carrying out activities in support of IS, he said, such as co-sponsoring the UN Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters.

“Any Singaporean who assists, supports, promotes or joins violent organisations like IS would have demonstrated a dangerous tendency to support the use of violence. Such a person poses a real threat to Singapore’s national security, and will be dealt with in accordance with our laws,” he said.

“Our approach will be carefully calibrated to the specifics of each case. Where necessary, the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be used in order to pre-empt and neutralise these terrorism threats to the security of our citizens and our country.”

In response to a question by Workers’ Party MP Low Thia Khiang, Mr Teo said that there are at least two known Singapore citizens who have gone to Syria to take part in the fight, though their exact whereabouts are unknown.

He added that authorities will continue to investigate anyone who expresses support for terrorism or an interest to pursue violence.

LOCAL COMMUNITY HAS PART TO PLAY

The Deputy Prime Minister also called on everyone to play a part in protecting Singapore against the terrorism threat. This includes alerting the authorities early to prevent family and friends from becoming radicalised.

There are also various community initiatives to counter IS’ radical rhetoric, he noted. The Religious Rehabilitation Group, for example, plans to produce online videos to debunk IS’ ideology to better reach out to Internet-savvy youths who are most at risk of being radicalised via social media, he said.

Mr Teo also mentioned a meeting was organised in July, with various community leaders, for them to understand what the Muslim community is doing to counter the threat.

“The threat is always there, but it’s something which we have to continue to work hard together, to bring people together, and help them understand the problem, and that our Muslim community is taking proactive and real steps to deal with this issue,” he said.

“All members of the public can also play their part by being alert to suspicious persons, objects and activities. A timely call to the authorities could well save many innocent lives. By working together, we can make Singapore a safer place for everyone,” Mr Teo added.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/rise-of-islamic-state/1401872.html

October 9, 2014
Jihad al-nikah Atau Jihad Seks Bertentangan Dengan Ajaran Islam

MEREKA sanggup menggadai jiwa dan menjual maruah sebagai wanita demi memuaskan nafsu anggota militan IS di medan perang di Syria.

Itulah pengorbanan segelintir wanita, termasuk tiga wanita warga Malaysia, kononnya bagi ‘berjihad’ dengan memenuhi keperluan batin anggota militan itu.

Mereka dikenali sebagai wanita penghibur atau comfort woman.

HAMBA SEKS

Namun, perbuatan yang dipanggil jihad al-nikah atau jihad seks itu sebenarnya bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam.

Pengerusi bersama Kumpulan Pemulihan Keagamaan (RRG), Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed, yang juga pengerusi Masjid Khadijah, berkata bahawa perbuatan itu sebahagian agenda IS bagi memenuhi keperluan pejuang mereka.

“Selain itu, ia juga sebahagian rancangan IS melahirkan lebih ramai penjihad dan menarik lebih ramai orang bagi mengembangkan kumpulan itu,” ujar Ustaz Ali.

Menurut presiden Persatuan Ulama dan Guru-Guru Agama Islam Singapura (Pergas), Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, yang turut memimpin RRG, hubungan antara lelaki dengan perempuan dalam Islam hanya sah dengan pernikahan yang sah dan halal. Oleh itu, tiada istilah ‘wanita penghibur’ dalam Islam.

Imam eksekutif Masjid Darul Aman, Ustaz Suhaimi Hassan, pula menarik perhatian tentang zaman Sayidina Umar Al-Khattab di mana beliau pernah membenarkan pejuang Islam nikah mutaah atau nikah kontrak kerana sudah lebih empat bulan tidak berjumpa dengan isteri.

Namun, katanya, Sayidina Umar sendiri memansuhkan hukum itu selepas perang berakhir dan sehingga kini ia diharamkan bagi ahli sunnah wal jamaah.

FATWA JIHAD SEKS

Sebelum ini, IS juga mengeluarkan fatwa mengarahkan orang ramai menghantar wanita tidak berkahwin berjihad untuk seks.

Namun, apakah kesahihan fatwa itu sedangkan ia bukan dikeluarkan ulama yang diiktiraf?

Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi berkata dalam Islam fatwa disyaratkan dikeluarkan oleh ulama yang mempunyai tahap ilmu yang tinggi sahaja.

“Mereka harus menguasai Al-Quran, hadis Rasulullah saw, tahu pandangan ulama yang berbeza dan dapat menentukan ketepatan sesuatu pandangan. Seandainya beliau belum memiliki tahap ilmu itu, fatwa yang dikeluarkan akan menjadi tidak sah.

“Contohnya di Singapura, kita ada jawatankuasa fatwa dan bukan mufti seorang sahaja yang keluarkan fatwa. Ini bagi memastikan fatwa yang dikeluarkan itu betul, tepat dan dikehendaki agama,” ujarnya.

Oleh itu, fatwa yang dikeluarkan IS berkenaan jihad seks tidak boleh dituruti dan harus ditolak.

Malah menurut pengurus Masjid Assyafaah, Ustaz Mustazah Bahari, istilah ‘jihad seks’ langsung tiada dalam Islam.

JALAN PINTAS KE SYURGA

Selain wanita Timur Tengah, beberapa wanita warga asing dari Britain, Australia, Norway, Jerman dan Filipina juga telah ke Syria menyertai konflik di negara Timur Tengah itu.

Malah baru-baru ini, tiga wanita Malaysia dikatakan menyertai kumpulan militan IS dipercayai menawarkan diri bagi mengadakan hubungan seks demi menenangkan anggota IS itu.

Menurut Ustaz Mustazah, wanita terbabit itu melakukan demikian mungkin kerana ingin peluang cepat masuk syurga, kononnya sebagai syahid.

“Mereka juga mungkin rasa simpati terhadap anggota militan itu tetapi sebenarnya tidak tahu erti sebenar perjuangan itu.

“Wanita harus ingat, mereka mempunyai banyak tanggungjawab kepada ibu bapa atau suami bagi mereka yang telah berkahwin, daripada ke sana,” ujarnya.

Malah menurut Ustaz Ali, keinginan masuk syurga dengan mudah serta kekosongan ilmu agama dan pengaruh pendakwah yang tidak diiktiraf juga antara sebab yang mendorong wanita itu menyertai kumpulan militan IS di Syria.

Kekurangan ilmu agama itu jugalah yang membuat wanita itu gagal membezakan antara yang baik dengan buruk, kata Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi.

Tambahnya, wanita itu juga mungkin dipengaruhi atau terpaksa dek keadaan.

“Contohnya, mereka rasa terdorong menyertai perjuangan itu kononnya kerana ingin menegakkan agama Islam tetapi sebenarnya mereka tiada ilmu.

“Mereka juga mungkin telah jatuh cinta dengan pejuang IS dan terpaksa ikut mereka ke sana,” katanya.

TREND MEMBIMBANGKAN

Semangat kuat segelintir wanita itu untuk berjuang bersama IS dan melihatnya sebagai ‘tiket’ masuk syurga bukan sahaja membimbangkan pemerintah negara mereka, bahkan turut mencetuskan keresahan keluarga yang mendesak agar mereka kembali ke pangkuan yang tersayang.

Ini lebih-lebih lagi kerana mereka pergi ke Syria tanpa izin keluarga.

Menurut Ustaz Suhaimi, perbuatan itu menunjukkan betapa ceteknya ilmu pemahaman agama mereka sehingga tergamak ke sana tanpa izin bapa yang merupakan satu dosa besar.

“Masalahnya, wanita yang ke sana untuk berkahwin dengan anggota militan IS mesti diiringi wali, kecuali beliau janda.

Kalau tiada, siapa yang menjadi kadi bagi mengesahkan pernikahan mereka? “Ini menjadikan pernikahan mereka syubhah (meragukan) atau barangkali boleh berlaku zina,” katanya.

Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi tidak menafikan akan kemungkinan wanita Singapura turut menyertai kumpulan militan IS di Syria kerana pengetahuan agama yang cetek atau pengaruh lain.

Namun, beliau menggalak masyarakat Islam setempat supaya menghubungi asatizah atau ulama di sini serta Pergas, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) atau badan Islam lain bagi meminta pandangan, bimbingan atau nasihat sekiranya tidak pasti atau mempunyai masalah.

Ustaz Ali turut menggesa asatizah di sini menggiatkan lagi usaha mereka berdakwah serta berkongsi pandangan dan nasihat mereka dengan orang ramai.

HAMBA SEKS ZAMAN DAHULU

Wanita kini juga seharusnya belajar daripada sejarah, lebih sedar dan berhati-hati supaya tidak menyertai IS dan menjadi hamba seks anggota militan kumpulan itu, kata Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi.

Ini kerana wanita hari ini tidak dipaksa menyertai militan IS di Syria, yang setakat ini hanya menguar-uarkan tentangnya.

Malah, pihak mereka yang mendatangi pihak asing daripada pelbagai negara di seluruh dunia.

Ini berbeza berbanding zaman Perang Dunia Kedua di mana askar Jepun memaksa wanita di beberapa negara, seperti Korea, menjadi hamba seks atau wanita penghibur atau tempat mereka melepaskan nafsu.

Sekiranya wanita itu tidak menuruti permintaan askar Jepun itu, nyawa mereka terancam. Sekitar 200,000 wanita dianggarkan telah dipaksa mengadakan hubungan seks dengan askar Jepun.

Kebanyakan mereka merupakan wanita Korea, manakala bakinya termasuk wanita China, Indonesia, Filipina dan Taiwan.

Menurut Ustaz Suhaimi, konsep wanita penghibur tidak harus dikaitkan dengan Islam kerana ia langsung tiada dalam hukum syariah Islam.

“Kumpulan militan IS mengaburi wanita ini dengan slogan agama Islam, kononnya inilah cara terbaik dan perbuatan itu dibolehkan dalam Islam tetapi sebenarnya ia bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam,” jelas beliau.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg/wacana/hidayah/tiada-konsep-wanita-penghibur-dalam-islam#sthash.VbQrewmL.SAaEfWkt.dpuf

September 30, 2014