A letter of support by Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, President of Singapore Islamic Scholars & Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) to Dr Syed Khairudin Aljunied.
Source: PERGAS, Facebook Page Dr Syed Khairudin Aljunied
Tag: Islam
-
Workers’ Party on Hijab Issue: Government Should Conduct Constructive Public Consultations
Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS)
Every Wednesday, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
@ Blk 550 Bedok North Ave 1 | Map: http://bit.ly/xShedV
Office: Member of Parliament
District: Aljunied GRC
Party: The Workers’ PartyBy MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 12 March 2014]Since 2011 the government had set out to foster social cohesion and to build an inclusive society through the budget. While an ‘inclusive society’ means different things to different people, it is important to know that a fundamental tenet of an inclusive society is the tolerant and respectful embrace of the cultures and values that each community in Singapore holds dear.
In the context of the ‘new normal’ in Singapore society, Singaporeans are increasingly more vocal and want their views to be heard. I believe that in fostering multiculturalism, public dialogue and constant consultations are the way forward. In the case of the recent hijab issue, to the best of my understanding, the dialogue that was conducted with representatives of the Malay community was more of a platform for the government to convey its stand, rather than a dialogue. This is because the government has already came to the decision of not allowing hijab to be worn prior to the dialogue session instead of making decision at or after the session. I am of the view that the government should enhance not only the manner in which it communicates but also its attitude when performing the communicating. At the same time, consultation with one community alone is inadequate as it may lead to hasty conclusions and unnecessary assumptions. A more constructive approach would be public consultations conducted with different stakeholders, and the different ethnic communities. The Singaporeans I meet from the different ethnic communities understand that the final policy outcomes may not go according to their preferences. Nonetheless, they hope that the government should also understand that the process is equally important to them.
It is the responsibility of any government not to overtly impose its assumptions on any issue, particularly on sensitive and emotional issues. Rather it should base its understanding on scientific findings and in the event that such information is not available, commission a study on the matter. The government should also make available the information that it has. Public engagement and consultations that adopt a more transparent, forthright and comprehensive approach would allow us to better understand the issue at large and the context and the nuances behind each issue. I hope the Minister would agree with me that such an approach would bring us closer to a consensus that is workable, productive and acceptable by the various stakeholders involved. That should be the way forward towards an inclusive society and a multicultural Singapore.
Source: Workers’ Party
-
MUIS aims to improve social service accessibility and religious education
SINGAPORE: Malay-Muslim families who receive social assistance from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) will soon be able to get help under one roof.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said MUIS is working with community self-help group Mendaki and six mosques to launch a new initiative called “Nadi Khidmat” this year.
The aim is to improve accessibility to social services for Malay-Muslim families through the mosques.
In addition, families receiving help from MUIS will also be able to access Mendaki’s educational and employment help in the same place.
Nadi Khidmat officers will also guide families to other national agencies for other forms of help.
On to the topic of social tolerance, Dr Yaacob reiterated the importance of tolerance in the face of diversity.
He warned against “extreme views”, and using labels with “pejorative undertones” to judge those with different views.
He added that the accessibility and spread of misinformation on social media will continue to pose a threat.
MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Zainal Sapari wanted to know what can be done to encourage a conducive climate for discussions both online and offline.
Dr Yaacob said that ethics and respect are important in any discourse and added that there is a role for community leaders to step forward and to establish norms.
He said: “Looking at the recent experiences, I’m quite happy there are rational voices — especially online — that have stood up against those who have been rabid (and) irrational.
“So we need more of such voices and I hope we can encourage such leaders to step forward to do so… because as far as we are concerned, differences are not the problem.
“How we manage these differences and how we agree to disagree on those differences is really what matters and we can set the right tone. I think that’s the way going forward for our community.”
To help the community strengthen religious knowledge, MUIS will roll out new initiatives to improve the accessibility of religious education, such as expanding the “aLIVE” religious programme — which is specifically catered to students — by 7,000 places by 2015.
MUIS will also work more closely with private players in the religious education sector, particularly in training and accreditation.
“We must remain united as a community that is committed to the principles of meritocracy and multiracialism. These principles have served us well,” said Dr Yaacob.
He added: “Going forward, we must also lend our voices to the discussion of how these principles can serve a Singapore that is facing new and complex challenges.
“We must remain true to our faith. We should guard against divisive forces taking root — to preserve racial and religious harmony within our own community and with other communities too.”
On the issue of the haj, Dr Yaacob said uncertainties remain in the yearly haj quota for Malay-Muslims who wish to undertake their pilgrimage this year.
This is due to massive redevelopment works in Mecca and Medina which have resulted in cuts to the quota to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.
He said Singapore may not receive additional haj places this year.
But authorities here will continue to appeal to their Saudi counterparts to increase Singapore’s official haj quota from 680 to 800 and to seek additional places once the redevelopment works are completed.
Last year, Singapore’s official quota of 680 was initially cut by 20 per cent to 544 places in June, but it was restored late in September.
As for the korban ritual carried out during the haj period, Dr Yaacob said MUIS continues to work with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to look for alternative sources of livestock — such as from countries like Canada, France and Ireland.
Australia remains Singapore’s primary source of livestock, but a new regulatory framework set down by the Australian government last year resulted in a reduction in the supply of livestock from the country.
On the issue of rising costs due to importing livestock from non-traditional sources, Dr Yaacob said MUIS “should not be subsidising the costs”.
“While MUIS is mindful to keep fees as affordable as possible, there is a limit because these are driven in part by market forces and the costs ultimately should be borne by those who choose to perform these religious obligations,” he said.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia
-
Dr MAZA: Bomoh mengamalkan amalan khurafat boleh mengelirukan golongan bukan Islam
PETALING JAYA: Sehubungan pendedahan seorang bomoh bahawa pesawat MH370 yang hilang kini tergantung di alam ghaib, mantan Mufti Perlis Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin hari ini membidas golongan tersebut.
Melalui posting Facebooknya hari ini, bomoh yang mengamalkan amalan khurafat ini boleh mengelirukan golongan bukan Islam mengenai agama itu.
“Tak cukup dengan kehilangan MH370, muncul pula macam-macam bomoh khurafat dengan pelbagai aksi yang memperbodohkan diri sendiri, bahkan juga boleh menimbulkan salah sangka orang ramai terutama non-muslim terhadap Islam,” Mohd Asri berkata.
Beliau turut menegaskan penggunaan ayat suci al-Quran oleh golongan ini tidak bermakna mereka melakukan perkara yang betul.
“Mereka mempergunakan ayat-ayat al-Quran secara salah dan selekeh. Ingatlah bahawa segala yang bodoh dan tahyul itu bukan ajaran Islam,” tambahnya lagi.
Semalam, seorang bomoh bernama Mahaguru Ibrahim Mat Zin mendakwa pesawat MH370 tergantung di atas paras Laut China Selatan berhampiran Vietnam kerana disembunyikan orang bunian.
“Oleh itu, semua rakyat di negara ini tanpa mengira kaum perlu berdoa agar pesawat yang hilang muncul kembali.
“Kita berharap dengan usaha ini, pesawat itu akan muncul dalam masa terdekat selewat-lewatnya minggu ini,” Ibrahim dipetik sebagai berkata dalam Utusan Malaysia hari ini.
Ibrahim turut dilaporkan melakukan ritual tarian mencari pesawat di ruang legar Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) semalam dengan menggunakan bubu buluh dan dua teropong buluh.
Sumber: Free Malaysia Today, DrMAZA
-
Aksi Mahaguru Raja Bomoh Bantu Cari Kapal Terbang MH370 di KLIA
SEPANG – Balai Ketibaan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) gempar seketika petang semalam selepas muncul seorang lelaki yang mendakwa sebagai Raja Bomoh Sedunia Nujum VIP yang kononnya mampu membuat ramalan berhubung keadaan pesawat MH370 yang dilaporkan hilang sejak Sabtu lalu.Bomoh terbabit, Datuk Mahaguru Ibrahim Mat Zin, 80, yang berpengalaman lebih 50 tahun mendakwa berdasarkan upacara yang dilakukan selama 30 minit itu, beliau mendapat alamat bahawa kesemua penumpang pesawat terbabit dipercayai masih berada dalam keadaan selamat di satu lokasi tertentu terletak antara Laut China Selatan, Filipina dan sebuah negara asing yang tidak dapat dipastikan.“Saya nampak pesawat itu masih tergantung di ruang udara, di tengah -tengah ketiga-tiga lokasi terbabit.“Saya tak dapat jelaskan secara terperinci soal keselamatan mereka tetapi percaya pesawat itu mungkin berada dalam dua keadaan sama ada diculik oleh pihak tertentu atau disembunyikan di alam ghaib”, katanya semalam.Upacara ritual itu menggunakan peralatan khas iaitu teropong buluh serta bubu mata pancing sebagai simbolik untuk memperoleh alamat terkini berhubung keadaan pesawat terbabit.Ibrahim berkata, bubu mata pancing terbabit sebagai simbolik penjara di mana pesawat itu dipercayai berada dalam cengkaman pihak tertentu atau ditawan di alam bunian.“Kita gunakan teropong sebagai simbolik meminta anasir-anasir terbabit untuk membebaskan pesawat terbabit secepat mungkin.“Upacara yang kita buat turut menggunakan ayat-ayat suci al-Quran iaitu surah Nabi Yunus dan surah Yassin,”katanya.Dalam upacara tersebut, Ibrahim turut mempelawa beberapa individu daripada pelbagai bangsa termasuk seorang wakil media untuk membuat ritual pembebasan dengan meletakkan bubu mata pancing di atas kepala mereka.Menurut bomoh yang mendakwa pernah menampar buaya tembaga sehingga mati itu, selain upacara terbabit, seramai 100,000 ahli Persatuan Silat Gayung Ghaib dan Selendang Merah turut melakukan solat hajat serta berdoa semoga pesawat yang hilang ditemui dalam minggu ini.Katanya, pihaknya sudah melakukan perkara yang sepatutnya dilakukan dan selebihnya terserah kepada Allah SWT.Beliau berkata, pihaknya mendapat jemputan daripada seseorang yang ‘penting’ untuk melakukan upacara tersebut semalam.Ibrahim sebelum ini mendakwa pernah terlibat dalam membuat ramalan untuk kes antaranya berkaitan kes tragedi Highland Tower serta membatalkan ilmu hitam Mona Fendy agar hakim dapat menjalankan tugas di Mahkamah Temerloh, Pahang.
Saksikan juga aksi bomoh Datok Mahaguru Ibrahim Mat Zin dalam menangkap pontianak dengan hanya menggunakan handphone.
Sumber: Misteri Channel, MrGhostWRITERz