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Tag: Muslims

  • Nizam Ismail: Discriminatory Practice and Distrust Of Malays

    Nizam Ismail: Discriminatory Practice and Distrust Of Malays

    It gets tenuous when the justification for what is essentially a discriminatory practice is on the non availability of a halal kitchen.

    Please, there are many ways to resolve this. It’s not rocket science.

    If the issue is still one of distrust of a Malay Singaporean son in defending his country, then say it as it is. The fact remains that there is an under-representation of Malay NSmen in several “sensitive” positions of the SAF, RSAF and RSN. And an over-representation of Malay NSmen in the SCDF and SPF. And a significant portion of Madrasah boys are not called up for NS.

    This has nothing to do with food. Or space for halal kitchen. It’s tragic that we are still debating this after 50 years of independence.

    If you truly believe in multiculturalism, there must be no space for discrimination. If you truly believe in multiculturalism, there must be inclusivity and equal opportunity. For all.

    When will there be a level playing field?

     

    Source: Nizam Ismail via Suara Melayu Singapura FB

  • Ng Eng Hen: No Space For Halal Kitchens On Navy’s Ships

    Ng Eng Hen: No Space For Halal Kitchens On Navy’s Ships

    “Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) operational concerns must come first and individual needs sometimes must (be) subsumed under that,” said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in Parliament on Thursday (7 April), on the topic of providing halal food on Navy vessels.

    He was addressing an issue brought up by Member of Parliament (MP) Muhammad Faisal Abdul Manap on the provision of halal food in the SAF and the lack of Malays serving in the Navy.

    In February 2015, Ng spoke to a group of students and academics during a forum organised by government feedback arm Reach and the National University of Singapore, where he said that it is difficult to have a halal kitchen in confined spaces such as those aboard Navy vessels.

    According to The Straits Times, he was responding to a question on perceived bias against Malays in the SAF.

    “Where we can, we will accommodate. And I’m certain that there are situations where I cannot please or accommodate all requirements. I cannot hand-on-heart assure you all my mobile kitchens are halal,” Ng said in Parliament.

    “But always, the understanding (is) that the SAF’s needs and operational concerns, must come first,” he added.

    Senior Minister of State Maliki Osman also addressed Faisal’s concern, saying that the SAF makes provisions for Muslims on board ships with food options such as seafood, chicken and vegetables.

    “Our approach has been to accommodate as far as practicable, the needs of devotees of different religions while maintaining the common space and goals for all,” he said.

    “Apart from Islam, religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism also practise certain dietary restrictions. However, we do not insist that public eating places cater to any specific religious requirement rather than encouraging any one religious group to push fully its own strict requirements,” said Maliki.

    “These facilitates social integration where Singaporeans come together, eat in the same space and interact. This is the cornerstone of a multiracial society and Singaporeans accept this,” added Maliki.

    Maliki explained that in SAF camps, halal food is prepared separately from non-halal foods. Where space is limited, vegetarian and halal food will be brought in from centralised kitchens instead of being prepared in the camps’ cookhouses. Such options are also available for combat food rations for NSmen to eat when they are out in the field.

    “The preparation of halal foods require strict adherence to the religious stipulations governing the food stalls, preparation and even storage. So for Navy ships, space is always a premium – which needs to be maximised and prioritised – for key operational requirements in terms of combat systems and equipment spares,” said Maliki.

    Source: Yahoo News

  • Pelajar Tingkatan Satu Dakwa Dipukul Ustaz Hingga Patah Tulang Tangan

    Pelajar Tingkatan Satu Dakwa Dipukul Ustaz Hingga Patah Tulang Tangan

    Seorang pelajar perempuan tingkatan satu sebuah sekolah menengah mendakwa patah tulang tangan selepas dihentak dengan kerusi oleh seorang guru, Isnin lepas.

    Farah Izzati Mohd Rohaizad, 13 tahun, berkata dalam kejadian 8.30 malam itu dia bersama dua rakannya yang sebaya umur dipanggil oleh seorang ustaz ke dewan makan sekolahnya itu untuk mengaji Al-Quran.

    Ketika sampai di dewan, ustaz berkenaan bertanya sama ada mereka boleh membaca atau tidak tetapi Farah Izzati memberitahu dia uzur dan tidak boleh membaca Al-Quran.

    Semasa Farah Izzati mahu mengambil tempat di kerusi berdekatan dengannya di dewan makan itu, ustaz berkenaan secara tiba-tiba membaling kerusi plastik dan terkena bahagian pinggangnya dan dia terus beredar menemani seorang rakannya, untuk mengambil Al-Quran.

    “Selepas kembali ke dewan makan dan mendapati tiada Al-Quran di hadapan saya, kepala saya dihentak kali kedua dengan kerusi namun saya sempat menahan kepala sehingga kerusi berkenaan mengenai belakang tangan kanan saya,” katanya.

    Setelah melakukan pemeriksaan, doktor di Hospital Daerah Baling mengesahkan dua tulang belakang telapak tangan kanannya mengalami keretakan dan patah.

    Sementara itu, bapanya, Mohd Rohaizad Abdullah, 36 tahun, berkata, dia amat kesal dengan kejadian yang menimpa anak sulungnya itu kerana ia sepatutnya tidak berlaku.

    “Banyak lagi cara lain untuk diambil tindakan ke atas anak saya itu jika dia benar-benar bersalah, bukan dengan cara memukulnya sehingga mencederakannya,” katanya yang membuat laporan polis semalam (6 Apr).

    Beliau turut kesal dengan pihak sekolah yang didakwa tidak memaklumkan mengenai kejadian itu kepadanya dengan segera tetapi menunggu keesokan harinya untuk berbuat demikian.

    Ketua Polis Daerah Baling, Supt Shariffudin Yusof mengesahkan menerima laporan kejadian itu dan siasatan sedang dilakukan di bawah Seksyen 325 Kanun Keseksaan.

    Source: Berita Mediacorp

  • Pelajar Muslim Dikecualikan Berjabat Tangan Dengan Guru Wanita Di Switzerland

    Pelajar Muslim Dikecualikan Berjabat Tangan Dengan Guru Wanita Di Switzerland

    Tidak lama lagi, para pelajar lelaki Islam di sebuah sekolah di utara Switzerland tidak lagi perlu berjabat tangan dengan guru wanita mereka.

    Sebuah sekolah di Therwil, kanton Basel, mengambil keputusan yang kontroversil itu selepas dua pelajar lelaki Islam, berusia 14 dan 15 tahun, mengadu bahawa adat Swiss berjabat tangan dengan guru bertentangan dengan kepercayaan agama mereka, jika guru itu seorang wanita.

    Mereka berkata Islam melarang hubungan fizikal dengan individu berlainan jantina, kecuali anggota keluarga terdekat tertentu.

    Majlis tempatan Therwil tidak menyokong keputusan sekolah tersebut, “namun tidak akan masuk campur kerana ia adalah tanggungjawab sekolah itu untuk menetapkan peraturan,” kata jurucakap Monika Wyss kepada AFP dalam satu kenyataan.

    PERSPEKTIF-PERSPEKTIF BERBEZA

    Keputusan tersebut bagaimanapun mencetuskan kemarahan di serata Switzerland, hingga Menteri Keadilan, Simonetta Sommaruga menegaskan di televisyen Swiss bahawa “berjabat tangan adalah sebahagian daripada budaya kami.”

    Felix Mueri pula, yang menerajui suruhanjaya parlimen tentang sains, pendidikan dan budaya, menyifatkan adat berjabat tangan sebagai “tanda hormat dan budi bahasa”, menurut laman berita 20Minuten.

    Christoph Eymann, yang memimpin Sidang Swiss tentang Menteri-Menteri Pendidikan Wilayah, bersetuju dan berkata: “Kami tidak boleh membiarkan sama sekali golongan wanita dalam perkhidmatan awam diberi layanan berbeza daripada lelaki.”

    HURAIAN PRAGMATIK

    Pihak berkuasa wilayah Basel-County, yang berkuasa merubah keputusan Therwil, tidak memberikan respons kepada pertanyaan AFP.

    Namun ketua pendidikan di wilayah itu, Monica Gschwind memberitahu media bahawa beliau melihat keputusan sekolah tersebut sebagai pragmatik, namun bukan “huraian berkekalan.”

    Sementara itu, kumpulan-kumpulan Islam mencela polemik yang menyelubungi isu tersebut.

    “Seseorang akan menyangka bahawa kewujudan berterusan nilai-nilai teras Switzerland berisiko dihapuskan, padahal, kes tertentu ini pada hakikatnya melibatkan hanya dua pelajar sekolah tinggi yang berkata mereka berhasrat menyambut guru mereka dengan cara yang berlainan daripada berjabat tangan,” menurut Majlis Pusat Islam Switzerland dalam satu kenyataan.

    Kumpulan itu menarik perhatian bahawa “fiqh Islam dan kebanyakan ulama undang-undang kontemporari, menganggap bahawa cara bersentuhan ini (berjabat tangan) dilarang di antara individu jantina berlainan.”

    BERJABAT TANGAN “SECARA TEOLOGI DIBENARKAN”

    Persekutuan Pertubuhan Islam di Switzerland (FIOS) bagaimanapun menegaskan bahawa berjabat tangan antara lelaki dan wanita “secara teologi dibenarkan” dan biasa diamalkan di sesetengah negara Islam.

    Ia menambah bahawa isu ini tidak seharusnya menjadi satu masalah di Switzerland.

    Source: Berita Mediacorp

  • Zulfikar Shariff: Muslim Leaders Are Weak

    Zulfikar Shariff: Muslim Leaders Are Weak

    Rasulullah (s.a.w) and his companions had a strong sense of dignity. They did not abuse and did not allow themselves to be abused. They negotiated peace without subjugating themselves.

    When Rasulullah made sujud at the Kaabah and the Quraish placed camel entrails on his shoulder, he did not get up until his beloved daughter Fatimah removed it from him. When he stood up, he made doa against the Quraish. He is the Messenger of the Lord of all the worlds. He had a strong sense of dignity.

    Today, Muslim leaders lack dignity. They accept being discriminated. They accept their community being abused. They subjugate themselves to those in power. They are thrown rubbish and they eat it up. They are supposed to be part of the Khairah Ummah. But act like the weakest of dayuth.

    How far has this ummah fallen.

    How low are the leaders.

     

    Source: Zulfikar Shariff