Rilek1Corner

Tag: Malays

  • Yaacob Ibrahim: There Cannot Be Double Standards When Dealing With Issues That Touch On Race And Religious Harmony

    Yaacob Ibrahim: There Cannot Be Double Standards When Dealing With Issues That Touch On Race And Religious Harmony

    This incident involving Imam Nalla of Jamae Chulia mosque has been a trying one for the community. Imam Nalla has realised that he is in the wrong and that his words have caused tension and disquiet. His apology over the weekend was a meaningful gesture to reconcile with friends from other faiths. I thank our non-Muslim friends for accepting the apology. Their willingness to forgive reflects the Singapore way, where we uphold mutual respect and harmony for our common good.

    Earlier, I mentioned that there cannot be double standards when we deal with issues that touch on race and religious harmony. Our laws preserve the freedom to practise one’s faith, and protect all communities, regardless of race or religion, from being denigrated. The authorities have done the right thing by applying the law firmly and fairly, as this is in the best interest of all communities.

    As Muslims, we are called to radiate rahmah (compassion) and spread peace. Words matter and words that cause mistrust and apprehension among the various communities have no place in Singapore. Similarly, a case such as this should always be directed to the relevant authorities as and when they arise. It would be irresponsible and reckless to sensationalise such issues on social media.

    This has been a difficult episode. But it is also a timely reminder of how words uttered insensitively can undermine our social cohesion. Let us learn and reflect from this episode, unite as one people and focus on the future we hope to build as a society. Wherever we are, including spaces like our places of worship, we must safeguard the values we hold and cherish as Singaporeans – mutual respect, unity and social harmony. The unity of our nation depends on this.

    #yaacobibrahim

     

    Source: Yaacob Ibrahim

  • Dr Khairudin Aljunied: I Wish To Apologise Unreservedly To Singaporeans And NUS

    Dr Khairudin Aljunied: I Wish To Apologise Unreservedly To Singaporeans And NUS

    Dear Friends,

    1. I refer to my posts on social media which were made on 1-2 March 2017, titled “The Imam and the Silly Convert” and “The Imam and the Wised up Convert Reloaded”.

    2. I wish to acknowledge that I had made the posts without a full understanding of the facts on the ground, and I wish to say that I disagree with the Imam making such supplications during his sermon, and I did not know that the supplications were not an extract of the Quran. I do note that the Imam has since apologised earlier yesterday for the recent incident.

    3. I also wish to say that whilst my posts could be seen as being supportive of the Imam, and I was wrong to have put them up.

    4. I had meant it as a fictional account and not in support of anyone in particular. My posts were meant to show how Muslims can settle differences between them in a peaceful and amicable way.

    5. I now wish to apologise unreservedly to Singaporeans and NUS, since my posts were supportive of what the Imam had said. I undertake not to repeat my conduct.

    Best Regards,

    Khairudin Aljunied

     

    Source: Khairudin Aljunied

  • Commentary: Trend Melancong Bersama Bukan Trend, Tapi Biasa

    Commentary: Trend Melancong Bersama Bukan Trend, Tapi Biasa

    Saya sebenarnya tidak rase yang hal couple pergi holiday same-same ini boleh dikatakan “trending”. Mungkin sebab dalam zaman saya ini kelakuan seperti ini memang common sangat. ramai kawan-kawan yang pergi melancong bersama, ataupon ajak lagi kawan lain yang couple jugak. mereka semue belum kahwin lagi, ade yang dah tunang ade yang stakat dating aje.

    Actually nak cakap pasal travelling dengan pasangan ni kalau ikut segi ugama memang salah. tapi saya berpendapat yang ade jugak bende positive yang boleh kami belajar dari ini.

    Cuba fikir kalau kita pergi holiday dengan gf atau bf kite, kami semue dapat pergi explore dunia bersama. Experience bende baru bersama, mungkin bende-bende yang tidak boleh kami buat di Singapura. Dapat jugak melihat pasangan kita, perangai dia, suka tak suka dia. Bonding katakan.

    Lagi satu, sebagai couple yang masih membesar atau tengah sibuk kerje, mungkin kite susah nak dapatkan mase untuk spend time bersama. Atau ibubapa tidak suka kite kluar ngan pasangan selalu sangat. Dan macam-macam alasan lain aje lah. Jadi, holiday inilah satu jawabnya untuk spend quality time together. kalau satu minggu jumpa sekali, atau satu bulan jumpa setakat brapa jam aja. This is the chance. This the only way dapat escape bersama buat sementara.

    Lagipon kalau nak ikut batasan pon boleh dengan tidur berasing. Memang impossible jugak kalau dua orang melancong tapi nak spend duit sewa dua bilik, tak masuk akal. kalau betul nak boleh lah order single bed, dah macam lain. tido kat couch pon boleh biar perempuan tido kat katil. Ikut hati masing-masing juga.

    Last, kalau kita pergi mcm gini bersendirian tidak lah lain sangat dengan kalau pergi holiday dengan pasangan dan family dia. Ok memang ada parents control sebab parents ada, tapi niat kalau bukan jahat then tetap ok kan?

     

    Salam,

    T

    Readers’ Contribution

  • Imam Visits Synagogue To Apologise For Offensive Remarks

    Imam Visits Synagogue To Apologise For Offensive Remarks

    Imam Nalla Mohamed Abdul Jameel, 47, extended his unconditional apology for his offensive remarks and acknowledged that he must bear full responsibility for his actions.

    The visit came two days after he apologised at a gathering of leaders of various faiths.

    Yesterday, the imam also presented Rabbi Mordechai Abergel with a copy of the open statement of apology that he had delivered last Friday at the Harmony in Diversity Gallery in Maxwell Road.

    On behalf of the Jewish community here, Rabbi Abergel accepted the imam’s apology at the Maghain Aboth Synagogue.

    The rabbi said the Jewish and Muslim communities here have a “very harmonious” relationship, with strong bonds of friendship.

    “This sends a message that these bonds are not affected, and we share so much more than what divides us,” he added.

    In February, a video of the imam reciting a prayer in Arabic that said “God help us against Jews and Christians”, among other things, was circulated online.

    The imam clarified last Friday that the additional supplication he read was not from the Quran, but an old Arabic text originating from his village in India.

    Yesterday, Buddhist and Sikh leaders also joined in the synagogue visit.

    At a separate community event in Marsiling yesterday, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob said the imam’s apology is a “positive move” that should be taken into consideration.

    “He apologised, he gathered together all the people from different faiths, and it was a great initiative on his part,” she said.

    REMORSE

    Last Friday’s meeting, where the imam apologised before leaders of various faiths, including Christian leaders, was organised at his request.

    He said he was “filled with great remorse for the inconvenience, tension and trauma that I have caused to this peaceful country”.

    After the controversial remarks surfaced, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the Government will not tolerate preaching that encourages violence or seeks to pit one religion against another.

    On Saturday, Mr Shanmugam said the police have completed their investigations on the matter and submitted a report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, adding that a decision is expected within a few days.

    The imam’s apology was welcomed by the Muslim community and leaders of other faiths, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim noted on Saturday.

    Yesterday, Madam Halimah said of the imam’s apology: “He realised what he did was a mistake.

    “He also realised that what he had lifted from his home town in India may not be so applicable here. Probably, he didn’t know, or quite understand, the context of Singapore society.”

    She added: “We are multiracial, multi-religious, and you need to understand that is important.”

     

    Source: TNP

  • Damanhuri Abas: Malays Do Not Mind Waiting Another Six Years As Long As Government Acknowledges Ong Teng Cheong As First EP

    Damanhuri Abas: Malays Do Not Mind Waiting Another Six Years As Long As Government Acknowledges Ong Teng Cheong As First EP

    By the evidence that Dr Tan Cheng Bock presented this morning, the Government in its haste has clearly made a mistake in terms of the number of elected Presidents to date.

    Simply quietly moving the goalpost again by resorting to the AG’s interpretation is arbitrary as Dr Tan has provided all the statements over the years from the Government itself that acknowledges Mr Ong Teng Cheong as the first elected President. Clearly now, the Government must stay true to its own terms and wait for the Presidential election after this coming one for a clear 5 election cycle for a particular minority absence requirement to be met.

    It will be a desperate move for the Government to insist on a clearly wrong premise and hide behind the AG.

    We the Malays do not mind waiting another 6 years.

    No worries mate, we are patient people and used to waiting for many other things which are more priority such as discrimination in the SAF, Tudung and others!!!

     

    Source: Damanhuri Bin Abas