As the threat of Islamic extremism looms ever closer with the recent bombings in Jakarta, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam gave caution about the trend of Muslims in Singapore that refuse to stand together with the community.
The minister spoke of the issues concerning fundamentalism in his opening address yesterday at a two-day symposium organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, TODAY reports.
He notes that the Muslim population here is growing “somewhat more distant” from the rest of society, with some believing that democracy is “incompatible with Islam”.
Shanmugam is of course referring to the fringe of Muslims who believe that Sharia Law — the Islamic penal code and legal framework — is the only way to live and be governed by. There are also sentiments among some younger Muslims who find reciting the National Pledge and serving National Service as contrary to their beliefs.
“These are worrying trends, and if these sentiments become widespread, the Muslim community that grows apart from the mainstream is not good for the Muslim community and not good for Singapore, with serious long-term implications,” said the minister.
However so, he praised the mainstream stance of Singapore’s Muslim population, which remain moderate and respectful in their worldview, calling it a successful model to the modern world.
For the non-Muslim population, Shanmugam urged that they guard themselves against suspicion and negativity and ensure that Islamophobia does not take root in society.
“It is important that we ensure that Muslims in Singapore enjoy good opportunities, that there is no discrimination in schools, in jobs, in society as a whole,” he said. “Islamophobia will tear our society apart and we have to guard against it. And it is completely unacceptable”.
