Tag: Muslim

Muslim-Singaporeans Leaders Must Be Proactive In Reaching Out To Youths

I refer to the report “Nations cannot keep silent on threat of terrorism: PM Lee” (Nov 17). Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was quoted as saying: “We cannot avoid this problem (terrorism), much less solve it by hiding or by keeping silent, hoping that the scourge will pass us by, on the other side.” I cannot agree more.

Post-9/11, there was a self-imposed gag among Muslim Singaporeans on talking about jihad in Islam. Now, Daesh has taken over its place. Muslim Singaporeans must discuss Daesh ideology openly such that they are able to counter its wayward ideologies confidently.

In this regard, I hope Muslim-Singaporean leaders play a proactive role in reaching out to Muslim youth in schools and madrasahs.

The Religious Rehabilitation Group has come up with an educational leaflet that quotes a few Muslim scholars regarding the conflict in Syria. It is important, however, to quote scholars trusted by Muslims.

Quoting one from Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, would give much credence in the struggle against Daesh ideology. Regrettably, the condemnation of Daesh by Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti has been neglected by local Muslim scholars.

Haj Mohamed

Source: www.todayonline.com/voices

November 20, 2015
A Step By Step Guide On How To “Own” The ISIS Problem

Dear Alfian (can I call you Alfian?),

Here’s a step by step guide on how to ‘own’ this problem:

1) Acknowledge the fact that these barbarians subscribe to the same faith as you and I do – even if they’re the smallest, most radical, most extreme, faction of that faith.

2) Acknowledge the fact that these barbarians quote verses from the same holy book you and I hold high, when they choose to commit horrendous, unimaginable, inhumane acts.

3) Acknowledge the fact that the these verses can be, and have been, misinterpreted, distorted, abused, and weaponised far more than any other text.

Then,

4) Get involved in the the fight against the weaponisation of Islam.

I have no doubts that these barbarians are not ‘real’ Muslims; but they’re a real problem — and you and I, and the billion others who share the same faith, need to look inwards to find a solution.

Source: Nabil Mustafiz

November 19, 2015
Don’t Let ISIS Divide Us

As i entered the lift two middle aged women seems shocked, i was in my normal islamic garb as i was heading to my lecture. I gave them a smile press close and face the door. From my back i heard a conversation in a language i didn’t understand but i could only recognized the word ‘PARIS…PARIS…PARIS’. Little they knew that i could see their reflection from the lift’s window, they where pointing to me a few times between the conversation. Trying to be hopeful that it is not what i think they might be talking about, as the lift opened i hold the door and gave them the biggest smile of the day. i walked away and my heart sank.

| 17 NOV 2015 | 1030AM |

After paying for my petrol i headed out to a heated shouting from two men, one of them was wearing a songkok (muslim headgear). Not knowing why they are fighting i could only hear cursing been thrown around. The muslim guy then drove away. As i was walking pass the other shouted the four letter word and said this “lian**** you isis! go and bomb yourself!”. I just kept silent and went away, my heart sank again.

To my brothers and sisters,
If you keep your conspiracy theories stories to your walls, you will just build walls not bridges. I sincerely hope that these two encounters of mine are isolated cases. I have beautiful friends from other faiths and cultures and i believe that to defend our homeland is a collective effort.

It is our responsibility to not let hatred hit our shores.

Your Singaporean brother from another mother
Muhammad Zahid
Humanitarian Worker

Source: Muhammad Zahid Mohd Zin

November 19, 2015
Walid J. Abdullah: ISIS IS Not Only Muslim Problem

As a Muslim, I have been called to ‘own’ the ISIS problem and apologise for it. I have been doing some soul-searching and i think those people do have a point.

So on behalf of all Muslims, i would like to apologize for ISIS.

But my soul-searching did not stop there. On top of being Muslim, i am also a male Singaporean of Indian descent who stays in Simei. And therefore, i have to apologize for more stuff i did not do.

——

Donald Trump called Mexicans ‘rapists’. On behalf of all males, i apologise for his racism.

A former Nominated Member of Parliament from Singapore has urged the killing of children to stop terrorism. On behalf of all Singaporean males, i apologise for his stupidity.

Rick Santorum believes climate change (due to man-made activities) is a myth. On behalf of all males who may have told a lie or two before, i apologize for his ignorance.

The NTUC at Eastpoint Mall is located on the fifth floor, making it difficult for the elderly to make their purchases. On behalf of all residents of Simei, i apologise for this error in calculation.

Not too long ago, a group of apparently ‘drunk’ workers started a riot in Little Indian. As an Indian, i apologize for them drinking the alcohol.

I saw a guy beat the red light at the junction of Simei Street 3 and Simei Road some time
back. As a male, Singaporean, road-user, and resident of Simei, i apologize for his misdemeanour.

Sharon Au made a racist joke against Indians recently. As a Singaporean and product of the same education system, i apologize for her insensitivity (can you hear how ludicrous this sounds? An Indian apologizing for racism towards Indians is the same as Muslims apologizing for ISIS when most of its victims are Muslims).

President Obama has used extrajudicial drone strikes, which have inadvertently killed many innocent people. On behalf of all brown men everywhere, i apologise for his mistakes.

If there are any more problems that i can ‘own’, please do tell!

Source: Walid J. Abdullah

November 18, 2015
Walid J. Abdullah: The injustices in Palestine and Syria deserve equal outrage as the Paris attacks

I am not disturbed at all by people who change their profile pictures to incorporate the French flag. Some do it because they studied/worked in France, or have learnt French, and therefore have a natural affinity for the country and its people. Some do it because it’s cool to jump onto the bandwagon. Some do it simply because all it takes is to press a button. It is all fine. There is really no need to get upset about that.

Changing your profile picture does not need in any way imply you are fine with killing of innocent people elsewhere, so we must not make such tenuous claims.

What does disturb me though, is when people say that talking about innocent lives being taken away elsewhere, or speaking on how Western foreign policy could be one of the causes of terrorism (not the only one, obviously), is somehow equal to devaluing human life, or is equivalent to justifying the murders in Paris. I think that is just absurdity of the highest order.

Of course, we must in no way justify the Parisian murders, or devalue the lives lost. I just don’t see how saying that Palestinians go through similar stuff, or stating that Syrians have been through worse, or that many other peoples in the world face injustices everyday, ‘cheapens’ the lives lost in Paris.

Worse still, some of the people who are saying such stuff, are usually completely silent when innocent people are killed elsewhere.

If someone is vocal about the loss of innocent lives in Afghanistan, for example, and then says that we should not compare Paris to other countries, i can accept that, even if i may not agree with the premise.

But for those who are silent on other issues, and yet see the need to lecture others who are expressing dismay at the loss of Palestinian lives, i think we know for sure who are the ones that actually ‘cheapen’ the lives of others.

An innocent life is an innocent life: if we rush to condemn one act of terror vociferously, and then are silent towards others, i think it is good to check why on earth we are behaving in that manner, who is it that we are so eagerly trying to please, and whether that is indeed consistent with our own moral codes.

It also seems to me like people who refuse to discuss the causes of terrorism properly, are perhaps not really interested in solving it.

Source: Walid J. Abdullah

November 17, 2015