Tag: RRG

  • The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) To Receive $250,000 Over The Next 5 Years

    The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) To Receive $250,000 Over The Next 5 Years

    The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) will receive S$250,000 over the next five years to help it operate more professionally, and to continue with its anti-terrorism efforts.

    The money will come from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). This was discussed during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday (Nov 25) between the group’s leaders and some Malay-Muslim MPs, including Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob and Minister-in -charge of Muslim Affairs, and Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim.

    The group had requested for the meeting to share concerns on how to sustain its efforts going forward. For the past decade, the group has been rehabilitating terrorists and fighting terrorist ideologies.

    It also wanted its Resource and Counselling Centre at the Khadijah Mosque in Geylang to be professionally managed, with full-time staff. The Resource and Counselling Centre was launched four months ago and is managed by volunteers.

    Said Dr Yaacob: “They have done well. Of course, the continuing threat of terrorism will be there for them to challenge. But going forward, I think they see an expansion of their role going beyond just terrorism, but how they can promote religious and social harmony in Singapore. And I think as an entity, it is a question of what do you want to become in the future.”

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • At Least Two Singaporeans Went to Syria to Join ISIS

    At Least Two Singaporeans Went to Syria to Join ISIS

    SINGAPORE: The escalation of violence in Syria and Iraq over the last three months, as well as the expansion of the Islamic State (IS) threat beyond the two countries’ borders, have raised the security threat posed to Singapore. Two Ministers took turns to address concerns raised by Members of Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 7).

    Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean shared the Government’s assessment of the situation, while Foreign Affairs Minister, K Shanmugam said that countering the terrorism threat has to ultimately be “in the arena of ideas”.

    COUNTERING EXTREMIST IDEOLOGY

    Mr Shanmugam said as many as 15,000 people from about 80 countries could have joined IS and other radical groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. This is the largest mobilisation of foreign fighters since the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s – the conflict that ultimately created the Al Qaeda terrorist network.

    This region is not immune to the threat, with many joining in the fight in Syria and Iraq, he said. To combat the threat, Mr Shanmugam raised three points.

    Firstly, international solidarity and action will send a strong signal to the IS that the world has rejected its extremist agenda.

    Secondly, IS in both Iraq and Syria must be dealt with as one entity. He said any overall strategy must include a political solution to end the conflict in Syria, and political will to develop an inclusive and tolerant government in Iraq.

    Lastly, military force alone will not be enough. “Military force is necessary to blunt IS on the ground but missiles and rockets alone cannot and will not bring peace,” said Mr Shanmugam. “This brings me to my third point – the true fight has to be in the arena of ideas. We have to counter the extremist ideology which is used to recruit foreigners to terrorism and fuel their violent agenda.”

    He added that the threat posed by IS was real and everyone must do their part to combat global terrorism.

    THE THREAT TO SINGAPORE

    Mr Teo elaborated on the threat of the IS closer to home. IS continues to actively recruit foreign fighters – including Southeast Asians – and its brutality is not confined to beheadings of Westerners, but also to the killing of other Muslims and minority communities in Syria and Iraq, Mr Teo told Parliament.

    A United States-led coalition of more than 40 countries, including several Arab states, is now taking counter-action against IS, he added.

    “We currently have no information of any specific threat to us resulting directly from beheadings of IS and the anti-IS strikes,” Mr Teo said. “However, our assessment remains that the expansion of the IS threat beyond Syria and Iraq has raised the threat not only to countries who are part of the US-led coalition but also to Singapore.”

    As with the threat from Al-Qaeda, he said, “even if Singapore is not itself a target, foreign interests here may be targeted. This House may recall that Al Qaeda, working with the Jemaah Islamiyah Group, had planned to bomb the US and other embassies in Singapore in 2002”.

    There are also reports that some Malaysians and Indonesians who have fought for IS have formed a militant group called Katibah Nusantara Lid Daulah Islamiyyah, or Malay Archipelago Unit for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

    “If this group expands in Southeast Asia, it will pose a regional terrorism threat like the JI terrorist network, which had also aimed to set up a Southeast Asian Islamic Archipelago that encompassed Singapore, through the use of violence and terrorism,” Mr Teo said.

    LOCAL SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE

    The DPM said Singapore’s security agencies are working with its security partners to monitor the situation in Syria and Iraq closely though the exchange of information, and will cooperate with them to counter the threat posed by foreign terrorists to Singapore.

    There are also measures to prevent Singaporeans from getting involved in the violence there or from carrying out activities in support of IS, he said, such as co-sponsoring the UN Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters.

    “Any Singaporean who assists, supports, promotes or joins violent organisations like IS would have demonstrated a dangerous tendency to support the use of violence. Such a person poses a real threat to Singapore’s national security, and will be dealt with in accordance with our laws,” he said.

    “Our approach will be carefully calibrated to the specifics of each case. Where necessary, the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be used in order to pre-empt and neutralise these terrorism threats to the security of our citizens and our country.”

    In response to a question by Workers’ Party MP Low Thia Khiang, Mr Teo said that there are at least two known Singapore citizens who have gone to Syria to take part in the fight, though their exact whereabouts are unknown.

    He added that authorities will continue to investigate anyone who expresses support for terrorism or an interest to pursue violence.

    LOCAL COMMUNITY HAS PART TO PLAY 

    The Deputy Prime Minister also called on everyone to play a part in protecting Singapore against the terrorism threat. This includes alerting the authorities early to prevent family and friends from becoming radicalised.

    There are also various community initiatives to counter IS’ radical rhetoric, he noted. The Religious Rehabilitation Group, for example, plans to produce online videos to debunk IS’ ideology to better reach out to Internet-savvy youths who are most at risk of being radicalised via social media, he said.

    Mr Teo also mentioned a meeting was organised in July, with various community leaders, for them to understand what the Muslim community is doing to counter the threat.

    “The threat is always there, but it’s something which we have to continue to work hard together, to bring people together, and help them understand the problem, and that our Muslim community is taking proactive and real steps to deal with this issue,” he said.

    “All members of the public can also play their part by being alert to suspicious persons, objects and activities. A timely call to the authorities could well save many innocent lives. By working together, we can make Singapore a safer place for everyone,” Mr Teo added.

    Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/rise-of-islamic-state/1401872.html

  • Jihad al-nikah Atau Jihad Seks Bertentangan Dengan Ajaran Islam

    Jihad al-nikah Atau Jihad Seks Bertentangan Dengan Ajaran Islam

    hasbi hassan

    MEREKA sanggup menggadai jiwa dan menjual maruah sebagai wanita demi memuaskan nafsu anggota militan IS di medan perang di Syria.

    Itulah pengorbanan segelintir wanita, termasuk tiga wanita warga Malaysia, kononnya bagi ‘berjihad’ dengan memenuhi keperluan batin anggota militan itu.

    Mereka dikenali sebagai wanita penghibur atau comfort woman.

    HAMBA SEKS

    Namun, perbuatan yang dipanggil jihad al-nikah atau jihad seks itu sebenarnya bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam.

    Pengerusi bersama Kumpulan Pemulihan Keagamaan (RRG), Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed, yang juga pengerusi Masjid Khadijah, berkata bahawa perbuatan itu sebahagian agenda IS bagi memenuhi keperluan pejuang mereka.

    “Selain itu, ia juga sebahagian rancangan IS melahirkan lebih ramai penjihad dan menarik lebih ramai orang bagi mengembangkan kumpulan itu,” ujar Ustaz Ali.

    Menurut presiden Persatuan Ulama dan Guru-Guru Agama Islam Singapura (Pergas), Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, yang turut memimpin RRG, hubungan antara lelaki dengan perempuan dalam Islam hanya sah dengan pernikahan yang sah dan halal. Oleh itu, tiada istilah ‘wanita penghibur’ dalam Islam.

    Imam eksekutif Masjid Darul Aman, Ustaz Suhaimi Hassan, pula menarik perhatian tentang zaman Sayidina Umar Al-Khattab di mana beliau pernah membenarkan pejuang Islam nikah mutaah atau nikah kontrak kerana sudah lebih empat bulan tidak berjumpa dengan isteri.

    Namun, katanya, Sayidina Umar sendiri memansuhkan hukum itu selepas perang berakhir dan sehingga kini ia diharamkan bagi ahli sunnah wal jamaah.

    FATWA JIHAD SEKS

    Sebelum ini, IS juga mengeluarkan fatwa mengarahkan orang ramai menghantar wanita tidak berkahwin berjihad untuk seks.

    Namun, apakah kesahihan fatwa itu sedangkan ia bukan dikeluarkan ulama yang diiktiraf?

    Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi berkata dalam Islam fatwa disyaratkan dikeluarkan oleh ulama yang mempunyai tahap ilmu yang tinggi sahaja.

    “Mereka harus menguasai Al-Quran, hadis Rasulullah saw, tahu pandangan ulama yang berbeza dan dapat menentukan ketepatan sesuatu pandangan. Seandainya beliau belum memiliki tahap ilmu itu, fatwa yang dikeluarkan akan menjadi tidak sah.

    “Contohnya di Singapura, kita ada jawatankuasa fatwa dan bukan mufti seorang sahaja yang keluarkan fatwa. Ini bagi memastikan fatwa yang dikeluarkan itu betul, tepat dan dikehendaki agama,” ujarnya.

    Oleh itu, fatwa yang dikeluarkan IS berkenaan jihad seks tidak boleh dituruti dan harus ditolak.

    Malah menurut pengurus Masjid Assyafaah, Ustaz Mustazah Bahari, istilah ‘jihad seks’ langsung tiada dalam Islam.

    JALAN PINTAS KE SYURGA

    Selain wanita Timur Tengah, beberapa wanita warga asing dari Britain, Australia, Norway, Jerman dan Filipina juga telah ke Syria menyertai konflik di negara Timur Tengah itu.

    Malah baru-baru ini, tiga wanita Malaysia dikatakan menyertai kumpulan militan IS dipercayai menawarkan diri bagi mengadakan hubungan seks demi menenangkan anggota IS itu.

    Menurut Ustaz Mustazah, wanita terbabit itu melakukan demikian mungkin kerana ingin peluang cepat masuk syurga, kononnya sebagai syahid.

    “Mereka juga mungkin rasa simpati terhadap anggota militan itu tetapi sebenarnya tidak tahu erti sebenar perjuangan itu.

    “Wanita harus ingat, mereka mempunyai banyak tanggungjawab kepada ibu bapa atau suami bagi mereka yang telah berkahwin, daripada ke sana,” ujarnya.

    Malah menurut Ustaz Ali, keinginan masuk syurga dengan mudah serta kekosongan ilmu agama dan pengaruh pendakwah yang tidak diiktiraf juga antara sebab yang mendorong wanita itu menyertai kumpulan militan IS di Syria.

    Kekurangan ilmu agama itu jugalah yang membuat wanita itu gagal membezakan antara yang baik dengan buruk, kata Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi.

    Tambahnya, wanita itu juga mungkin dipengaruhi atau terpaksa dek keadaan.

    “Contohnya, mereka rasa terdorong menyertai perjuangan itu kononnya kerana ingin menegakkan agama Islam tetapi sebenarnya mereka tiada ilmu.

    “Mereka juga mungkin telah jatuh cinta dengan pejuang IS dan terpaksa ikut mereka ke sana,” katanya.

    TREND MEMBIMBANGKAN

    Semangat kuat segelintir wanita itu untuk berjuang bersama IS dan melihatnya sebagai ‘tiket’ masuk syurga bukan sahaja membimbangkan pemerintah negara mereka, bahkan turut mencetuskan keresahan keluarga yang mendesak agar mereka kembali ke pangkuan yang tersayang.

    Ini lebih-lebih lagi kerana mereka pergi ke Syria tanpa izin keluarga.

    Menurut Ustaz Suhaimi, perbuatan itu menunjukkan betapa ceteknya ilmu pemahaman agama mereka sehingga tergamak ke sana tanpa izin bapa yang merupakan satu dosa besar.

    “Masalahnya, wanita yang ke sana untuk berkahwin dengan anggota militan IS mesti diiringi wali, kecuali beliau janda.

    Kalau tiada, siapa yang menjadi kadi bagi mengesahkan pernikahan mereka? “Ini menjadikan pernikahan mereka syubhah (meragukan) atau barangkali boleh berlaku zina,” katanya.

    Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi tidak menafikan akan kemungkinan wanita Singapura turut menyertai kumpulan militan IS di Syria kerana pengetahuan agama yang cetek atau pengaruh lain.

    Namun, beliau menggalak masyarakat Islam setempat supaya menghubungi asatizah atau ulama di sini serta Pergas, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) atau badan Islam lain bagi meminta pandangan, bimbingan atau nasihat sekiranya tidak pasti atau mempunyai masalah.

    Ustaz Ali turut menggesa asatizah di sini menggiatkan lagi usaha mereka berdakwah serta berkongsi pandangan dan nasihat mereka dengan orang ramai.

    HAMBA SEKS ZAMAN DAHULU

    Wanita kini juga seharusnya belajar daripada sejarah, lebih sedar dan berhati-hati supaya tidak menyertai IS dan menjadi hamba seks anggota militan kumpulan itu, kata Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi.

    Ini kerana wanita hari ini tidak dipaksa menyertai militan IS di Syria, yang setakat ini hanya menguar-uarkan tentangnya.

    Malah, pihak mereka yang mendatangi pihak asing daripada pelbagai negara di seluruh dunia.

    Ini berbeza berbanding zaman Perang Dunia Kedua di mana askar Jepun memaksa wanita di beberapa negara, seperti Korea, menjadi hamba seks atau wanita penghibur atau tempat mereka melepaskan nafsu.

    Sekiranya wanita itu tidak menuruti permintaan askar Jepun itu, nyawa mereka terancam. Sekitar 200,000 wanita dianggarkan telah dipaksa mengadakan hubungan seks dengan askar Jepun.

    Kebanyakan mereka merupakan wanita Korea, manakala bakinya termasuk wanita China, Indonesia, Filipina dan Taiwan.

    Menurut Ustaz Suhaimi, konsep wanita penghibur tidak harus dikaitkan dengan Islam kerana ia langsung tiada dalam hukum syariah Islam.

    “Kumpulan militan IS mengaburi wanita ini dengan slogan agama Islam, kononnya inilah cara terbaik dan perbuatan itu dibolehkan dalam Islam tetapi sebenarnya ia bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam,” jelas beliau.

    Source: http://beritaharian.sg/wacana/hidayah/tiada-konsep-wanita-penghibur-dalam-islam#sthash.VbQrewmL.SAaEfWkt.dpuf

  • Dalam Kenangan: Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim

    Credit: Asiaone
    Credit: Asiaone

    Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb

    Ikhwah & Akhawat

    Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim adalah seorang Ustaz yang tidak kenal erti penat dan jemu. Beliau bukan sahaja seorang Ustaz, namun seorang peniaga dan juga ahli politik. Antara sumbangan beliau adalah peneraju utama RRG (Kumpulan Pemulihan Agama) juga penasihat di RRG dan RRC (Majlis Pemulihan Agama) semenjak ianya ditubuhkan.

    Beliau mula mengelolakan kelas pengajian Fardhu Ain, Tafsir, Tauhid, Fiqh dan Tasawuf di dalam Bahasa Inggeris, Melayu dan Tamil di beberapa buah masjid di Singapura. Beliau juga menulis khutbah dan merupakan Khatib di beberapa buah masjid di antaranya ialah Masjid Maulana yang akan dibacakan dalam tiga bahasa.

    Almarhum juga gigih di dalam bidang penulisan. Beliau aktif menulis maqalah-maqalah di akhbar mengenai ekonomi. Beliau juga telah menerbitkan beberapa buku agama yang ringkas antaranya mengenai pemahaman Al-Quran, cara hidup seorang Muslim, dan panduan ringkas perkahwinan.

    Beliau menjadi anggota Masyaikh Pergas dan juga anggota ARB (Asatizah Recognition Board) dan salah seorang senior Ustaz di MUIS untuk maqalah Risalah dari tahun 2006 hingga ke akhir hayat beliau.

    “Asatizah hari ini juga perlu menerapkan dan menghargai serta mengamalkan ajaran Islam, agar dapat dicontohi oleh masyarakat,” nasihat beliau kepada asatizah di Singapura.

    Semoga Allah merahmati rohnya. Al-fatihah.

     

    Sumber: Singapore Islamic Scholars & Religious Teachers Association