Rilek1Corner

Tag: Khairudin Aljunied

  • NUS Suspends Academic While It Investigates His Involvement In Case Of Imam’s Remarks

    NUS Suspends Academic While It Investigates His Involvement In Case Of Imam’s Remarks

    The National University of Singapore (NUS) has suspended the academic who had openly criticised another man who made public an imam’s comments.

    The university told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Mar 8) that it had suspended Associate Professor Khairudin Aljunied from his duties on Monday (March 6).

    This “follows from (his) purported comments made in relation to insensitive remarks about Christians and Jews allegedly made by a religious leader”, a spokesman for the university said.

    During this time, the university will internally investigate Dr Khairudin’s involvement in the matter, though he will still receive his pay, the spokesman added.

    “As part of due process, NUS will launch an internal investigation into Assoc Prof Khairudin’s involvement in this incident. Assoc Prof Khairudin will continue to be paid his full salary during his suspension,” the university said.

    When contacted, Dr Khairudin said he was unable to comment due to the ongoing investigations.

    Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam told Parliament last week that the police are looking into the conduct of everyone involved in the case.

    Last month, investment associate Terence Nunis posted a video online of an imam at Jamae Mosque who, after a sermon, reportedly recited a prayer in Arabic that said “God grant us victory over Jews and Christians”, among other things.

    The video gained traction online and offline and, as part of due process, the imam has been placed on leave while investigations, which the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is assisting in, are ongoing.

    The case sparked a storm in the community, and many felt the postings could be used to cast aspersions on Islam and religious leaders. Some also felt the imam’s recitation had been taken out of context.

    Dr Khairudin, a tenured academic at NUS’ Malay Studies department, had posted on his Facebook page a fictional conversation between an imam and a “silly convert”.

    In the post, Dr Khairudin described the convert as being stupid for getting upset over the verses.

    Mr Shanmugam had said that Dr Khairudin “encouraged vilification” of the whistleblowing individual. He said: “Mr Khairudin’s position and actions are quite unacceptable… He supports a position that is quite contrary to the norms, values and laws in Singapore.”

    On Saturday, the minister added that police will investigate the case thoroughly and interview all parties involved, including those who filmed and publicised the video.

    “Whether there is a case for further action against any of the parties, will depend on the outcome of investigations,” he added.

    “The Government does not take sides in this issue – if anyone is found to have committed an offence, action will be taken.”

    NUS added on Wednesday that it “takes a serious view of any actions or speech that condone the promotion of hatred, ill-will and enmity that targets specific faith communities”.

    “Members of the NUS community must observe standards and policies on staff conduct, which include respecting different views and communicating responsibly,” it said.

     

    Source: ST

  • Shanmugam: Religious Preachers Who Attack Other Religions Won’t Be Tolerated

    Shanmugam: Religious Preachers Who Attack Other Religions Won’t Be Tolerated

    Religious preaching that encourages violence or pits one religion against another will not be tolerated in Singapore, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam in Parliament on Friday (Mar 3).

    Referring to a video posted on social media which purportedly shows an imam saying “God grant us victory over Jews and Christians”, Mr Shanmugam said the context of what the imam said will be clear once investigations are completed.

    “If the imam had referred to the phrase, to say, for example, that such phrases can promote ill will, hatred, enmity or violence against other communities, and that this is not acceptable in a multi-religious society, then there can be no objection.

    “But if he had said that Jews and Christians should be defeated, and for God to grant Muslim brothers victory over them – to make that very point – then that is completely unacceptable.

    “The Government has taken a strict position when Muslims have been attacked. People have been charged and sent to jail,” he said. “The same applies to any attack on any other religions.”

    He cited the example of a Christian couple sentenced to eight weeks’ jail in 2009 for distributing material that cast Islam in a negative light.

    Mr Shanmugam said the Government’s position has to be made clear because “matters like this have the potential to escalate, with people jumping in, opinions being formed, hardened, along religious lines”.

    If the imam did not make any inflammatory suggestion, no action will be taken and the authorities will issue a public statement, Mr Shanmugam said. But if the imam had engaged in such preaching, “some appropriate action” will be taken.

    “We have to be fair to the imam,” he said.

    Mr Shanmugam also criticised NUS academic Khairudin Aljunied for encouraging vilification of the individual who posted the video online.

    “Looking at what Mr Khairudin has said, he seems to suggest that it is okay for the imam to say that Jews and Christians should be defeated. He assumes that the imam intended to mean that, and Mr Khairudin sees nothing wrong with that.

    “Mr Khairudin’s position and actions are quite unacceptable. He has jumped into this, without verifying the facts and without checking the context. And supports a position that is quite contrary to the norms, values and laws in Singapore.

    “The police will look into the issues, and the conduct of all involved – quite thoroughly,” Mr Shanmugam said.

     

    Source: CNA

  • Khairudin Aljunied: Do Not Fight Evil With Evil, Fight Evil With Good

    Khairudin Aljunied: Do Not Fight Evil With Evil, Fight Evil With Good

    The Imam and the Silly Convert

    Once, there was a convert who was unhappy with what he heard from an Imam. So he went up to the Imam angrily and said:

    Convert: Can you stop saying things that will hurt people?

    Imam: I am sorry brother, but what did I say that might hurt anyone?

    Convert: You said those things and you know it. It’s offensive! I’ve just shared a video of what you said.

    Imam: I was speaking to Muslims in this small congregation but you, my brother, shared it to the world. Now everyone is offended. So was I wrong or you?

    Convert: [already feeling stupid] But you said things that are offensive to others! I must expose you.

    Imam: [gently putting his hand on the convert] Brother, I think you should stop being a Muslim for now.

    Convert: What!!!

    Imam: I read verses from the Quran and these verses have been read on the pulpit every Friday and during Eids since the time of the Prophet Muhammad till this day for over a thousand years. Muslims and non-Muslims lived peacefully even when these verses were read. Things change when you came.

    #sillyconvertmakestheloudestnoise #shareatwill

    The Imam and the Wised Up Convert Reloaded

    And so the silly convert became even more angry by the Imam’s light-hearted comments. He reported the Imam to the authorities. The authorities checked and researched and found that what the Imam read was from the Quran. That all imams in the country read those verses and that imams all over the world do it too. So he decided to take matters in his hands and confront the imam again:

    Imam: Assalamualaikum brother, you are back here again. So nice to see you.

    Convert: Waalaikum Salam. I am here to tell you that I am sorry for what I did.

    Imam: There is no need to apologize. We all commit errors. But I want you to do one thing for me.

    Convert: Yes, I will.

    Imam: Read and study the Quran daily. And learn the Sunnah as found in the books of Hadith. Follow the path of the great Imams and Ulama. Enjoin what is good, defend what is right and spread the message of peace among all mankind. Always remember and memorize the words of our beloved Prophet:

    “Fear of Allah wherever you may be. Follow up an evil deed with a good one, so that the good one will wipe out the evil deed. And behave towards the people with a good behaviour.” (al-Tirmidhi)

    Convert: May Allah assist me and us in this!

    Imam: And may all of us enter into Islam wholeheartedly!

     

    Source: Khairudin Aljunied

     

  • Don’t Despair, PSLE Results Don’t Determine Your Life

    Don’t Despair, PSLE Results Don’t Determine Your Life

    I want friends and parents to do this: share with us your PSLE score and then tell us what you are doing now. It will give hope and motivation to the young ones that PSLE scores don’t necessarily determine your future.

    So let’s start the ball rolling:

    My PSLE score is 221. I am now an Associate Professor in a University.

     

    Source: Khairudin Aljunied

  • Khairudin Aljunied: Jangan Patah Hati, Tanam Semangat Untuk Terus Belajar

    Khairudin Aljunied: Jangan Patah Hati, Tanam Semangat Untuk Terus Belajar

    Ramai di kalangan teman saya katakan pada saya bahawa mereka memang tidak minat sambung belajar kerana dalam soal membaca buku dan mengkaji, mereka agak bengap.

    Sebenarnya, tiada manusia yang bengap. Semuanya diberikan keupayaan untuk mempelajari apa sahaja dengan kemampuan mereka kecuali yang langsung tidak boleh berfikir kerana kecacatan atau hilang akal atau yang sakit.

    Pernah saya berkawan dengan seorang yang dari kecil tidak pernah lulus di sekolah. Namun bila dah sampai zaman remaja mula sedar yang dia mempunyai keupayaan untuk belajar. Dia langsung sambung belajar hingga ke menara gading. Hari ini, beliau berjawatan tinggi, bergaji lumayan.

    Tiada manusia yang bodoh belajar. Yang ada hanyalah yang tidak mahu belajar. Maka mereka ketinggalan sementara yang kurang upaya merai kejayaan dalam hidup kerana kecekalan dan semangat untuk terus belajar.

     

    Source: Khairudin Aljunied