Rilek1Corner

Tag: Muslims

  • Non-Muslim Openly Say Islam is Disease and Evil on Facebook

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    Credit: Abdul Malik Mohammed Ghazali
    Credit: Ari Preziosi
    Credit: Ari Preziosi
    Credit: https://www.facebook.com/mikenonis
    Credit: https://www.facebook.com/mikenonis

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    Credit: Abdul Malik Mohammed Ghazali

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    We received a tip-off from one of our readers Abdul Malik Mohammed Ghazali regarding a Singaporean named Nonis Michael Aloysious who posted distasteful anti-Islam remarks on his Facebook wall.

    We are extremely disturbed and disappointed in a small number of Singaporeans who harbour such negative thoughts on Muslims and Islam. Singaporeans have lived together for so long as neighbours, and yet some of us do not make an effort to try understand those people who do not share the same faith. It is more convenient to hastily generalised people, and for this unfortunate case stereotyped Muslims as Evil, Jihadist, Disease.

    We would like to remind our non-Muslim readers that Islam is not a bad religion like what Nonis Michael Aloysious have occasionally mentioned in his Facebook postings over a period of time from 2011 till year 2014.

    Islam is also not a disease. Islam is not evil. In fact no religion in this world is evil. All religions teach human beings to be good and love each other regardless of colour, language, race, and/or religion.

    The Internet allows us to share information and connect easily with one another. We should harness this powerful tool positively and responsibly. Let’s remember to be mindful of our words and to respect one another. We must uphold our racial harmony and social cohesion.

    We would like to thank Abdul Malik Mohammed Ghazali and Ari Preziosi again for sharing this information with us.

    letters to R1C

     

  • AWARE Makes a Stand Against Female Circumcision in Islam

    Photo Credit: AFP

    Does Female Circumcision happen in Singapore?

    Yes. In Singapore’s Muslim community, female circumcision involves nicking the prepuce, the skin covering the clitoris. It is markedly different from the more severe forms of genital mutilation. The procedure is usually done on babies or prepubescent children. Circumcisions in Singapore are done by female doctors at a handful of Muslim clinics. Anesthesia is generally not used. – source

    Although a relatively common procedure, many young women are unaware that they have undergone this ritual or what it entails.

    What is the religious basis for this procedure?

    The practice is encouraged by some religious leaders however many historians say that there is no religious basis for this practice

    According to the majority of ulama, circumcision is compulsory for men and women. It should be done early in life, preferably when still an infant, to avoid complications, prolong pain and embarrassment if done later in life. Any good Muslimah doctor can perform circumcision for women. It is just a cutting off the thin membrane on the top most part of the clitoris.

    Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)

    Those practices originated 1,400 years ago, before the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, says Noor Aisha Binte Abdul Rahman, a professor at the National University of Singapore. But the custom has no religious basis and there are no guidelines except that it should not bring harm to believers, says Zhulkeflee Haji Ismail, manager of Singapore’s Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association. “Some people just follow customs without knowing what they’re about,” the scholar says. “Traditions die hard.” – source

     

    Read more on AWARE’s stand against Female Circumcision in Singapore.

    Authored by AWARE SINGAPORE

     

    EDITORS’ NOTE

    Seems like everyone is else wrong and they (AWARE) are the only ones right. Now, they are questioning MUIS and the Muslims regarding female circumcision. NOT female genital mutilation. 

    Circumcision or sunat in Malay is performed on both male and female Muslims. A growing number of non-Muslims parents also choose to have such procedure performed on their children too, most cited reason being hygiene purposes. 

    For female circumcision on Muslims, Singapore’s practice is slightly different from what we see elsewhere in the world. Doctors normally make a small nip as significance only. They do not remove any part of the clitoris. This procedure will be done on infant girls. They recover faster and generally would not remember a thing about it. Go to a reputable or well-recommended doctor too.

    Many Muslims in Singapore are more modern and understand the possible consequences. They still do it to respect their Islamic beliefs and traditions, but in a different manner. 

    If you feel that upbringing is more important than cutting the clitoris to ‘tame’ the girls, then do speak to your family about it. We do know of some families who do not practice it anymore as they believe that how a woman behaves is largely dependent on how the family brought her up and not through sunat.

     

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  • MUIS Advisory on Multi-Level Marketing

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    Background

    1. Muis is currently monitoring the emerging concerns on commercial transactions in the form of multi-level marketing (hereupon MLM), specifically within the Singapore context. We have also received questions on the Islamic position on such transactions.

    Islamic Position on Multi-level Marketing

    1. In addressing this issue, Muis refers to our scholarly traditions in laying down the general guidelines for all MLM transactions. Muslims who would like to participate in MLM transactions should ensure that such transactions adhere to the following elements:
      i) Participants must participate willingly, and are not coerced or pressured into becoming a member or an agent.The Prophet (s.a.w) stated in a hadith: It is unlawful to benefit from a property of a Muslim, except on the basis of willingness (Al-Baihaqi).
      ii) Transactions must include products that are of tangible and inherent value, and which the product benefits are independent from the MLM scheme. The price paid should thus be appropriate for the products transacted, and not something one would normally not buy at that price. In Islam, transactions which involve products that have no tangible value are considered Bay’ Gharar or ambiguous transactions.
      iii) Products involved should also be permissible from the legal and Islamic aspects (halal). The Prophet (s.a.w) said; If Allah makes something unlawful, He makes its sale unlawful (Abu Dawud).
      iv) Bonuses and incentives received by all parties involved in the scheme should be made known and agreed upon by all members and agents.The Prophet (s.a.w) has also exhorted Muslims to strictly adhere to truthfulness in business transactions. “…and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities [of the goods], then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost (Bukhari).Hence all conditions pertaining to a transaction must be clearly specified and clarified upfront.
    2. Muslims should also be cautious of the following:
      i) Schemes that involve promising its members payment or services primarily through enrolling other people into the schemes, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services.
      ii) Schemes that will collapse in the long-run, hence causing later participants to lose their upfront payments. Those who are most vulnerable are those towards the bottom of the pyramid, where it becomes nearly impossible to recruit new members required to pay off the previous layer of recruiters.
      iii) There is a compulsory purchase of goods and services, or required investment whether in the form of a joining fee or buying inventory, as a requirement before one is entitled to the bonuses and benefits offered in the scheme.
      iv) Elements of manipulation, exploitation, injustice, unfairness and deceit.
      v) Elements that contradict what have been underscored in the shari’ah with regard to commercial transactions.

     

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    Legal Prohibition

    1. In Singapore, the Ministry of Trade and Industry administers the Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Selling (Prohibition) Act. Any MLM activities will thus be governed by this Act. The products offered will also be subjected to all prevailing laws of Singapore. There are exclusions to this Act, and they are captured in the revised Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Selling (Excluded Schemes and Arrangements) Order.

    Conclusion

    1. Muis would thus like to advise Muslims who are considering participating in any investment schemes to be cautious and to observe the abovementioned guidelines. They should also ensure that they do not contradict any religious principles or the law of the land prior to joining any schemes.

    OFFICE OF THE MUFTI
    ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF SINGAPORE

    10 April 2014

     

    Sumber: MUIS

     

    Read other related stories on Multi-level Marketing (MLM):

    – Melayu Singapura Senang Terpedaya Dengan Skim Cepat Kaya ‘Galaxy Trio’

  • Workers’ Party on Hijab Issue: Government Should Conduct Constructive Public Consultations

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    Office: Member of Parliament
    District: Aljunied GRC
    Party: The Workers’ Party

    By 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

  • Muslims retaliated with petition after NUS LGBT students attempted to discredit, threatened NUS to sack Prof Syed Khairudin Aljunied

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    A letter jointly authored by Dr Muhammad Iqbal and Mr Faizal Razak; graduates and alumni of NUS to Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs), Vice Provost (Academic Personnel), NUS Alumni and Office of Student Affairs – National University of Singapore stating:

    Concern over a recently published a petition against a professor and they display a trenchant hostility towards families and heterosexuals, and which we believe is unbecoming of an NUS graduate or undergraduate.

    In their open letter, they attempted to discredit the Professor and threatened to get him sacked. These actions are tantamount to intimidation. They do not merely express a principled opposition to deny the extension of legal rights to heteronorms. What they represent is a clarion call to eradicate any and all instances of gender expressions and relations that fall outside their preferred homosexual order.

    In their letter, they had forced the Professor to delete his post. They wanted to oppress any free speech that questions their lifestyle.

    We however believe that they have crucially misunderstood their place as a graduate or undergraduate.

    Firstly, the undergraduates and graduates have a respectful duty to provide a safe academic environment for its teachers, regardless of sexual orientation. Their petition however exhibit a fundamental disregard for the safety of heteronorm teachers, and that is unacceptable of any student, whatever their religious or political convictions.

    Secondly, contrary to what they claim, they are not engaging in a debate about homosexuality. It is more accurate to see their letter as an intimidation towards teachers and denies recognition to heterosexuals and pro-families. Instead of being respectful to educators, they chose to launch this untenable and unjustifiable assault on an educator.

    This goes beyond any issue of academic freedom or religious liberty. Not only have they failed to accord respect to educators, they have conducted themselves in a way that is not reflective of an NUS graduate or undergraduate.

    We thus urge that they withdraw their petition and apologize to Professor Syed Khairuddin, as well as undergo counselling to further understand the issues and challenges confronting the student-teacher community. We also hope that the university leadership can see that these remedial actions are adhered to.

    Yours sincerely,

    The undersigned

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    NUS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

    (B) Respect for People

    6. The University encourages students to display consideration, kindness and responsibility in their dealings with other persons. Students should not engage in disorderly or offensive behaviour such as making threats against others, intimidating others, harassing others, drunkenness, lewdness, or participating in any unlawful assembly.

    7. Students should also refrain from participating in any activity which physically or mentally harms, intimidates or humiliates other students, or which violates one’s dignity as an individual. In particular, negative and improper orientation practices that make new students feel uncomfortable (also known as “ragging”) are not tolerated by the University. Such practices display a lack of basic respect for other persons, imperil students’ physical and mental welfare, and may unintentionally result in an unhealthy atmosphere of fear and intimidation on campus.

    benjamin Seet melissa tsang khairulanwar