Originally posted by kyas:
I do agree with you that they can go to madrasah because that is
the only place that allows them to practice their belief
particularly in wearing tudung. Yes, they have their choices and it
is up to them or their parents to choose. If this is the case, you
are only creating a larger gap between a Muslim and non-Muslim. The
Muslims will go to madrasah, and the non-Muslim will go to the
public school. Will that help Singaporean to unite? Will that
support the integration between races? I do not think so.
thats precisely the point. the Sg Malay-Muslim community has
made their decision by preferring to sending their children to
gov't schools. u fail to realise that the issue was raised by a
small group. the rest don't see a problem here.
here, children of different ethnic groups play together in school
without regard for skin colour or religion. ethnic relations are
healthy. compare this with the M'sias system of Chinese school,
Tamil schools, Madrasahs... i think you're the ones with the
problem, not us. malaysia's intention to promote national schools
is one step in the right direction at least.
By the way, I was not talking about the choices they have. I was
only talking about your school system the system that was created
by men. Are you saying that nothing can change a rule? Are you
saying that discipline is the utmost important thing to the extent
that you can forget about religion?
if rules are changed so often, then what's the point of having
them in the first place? discipline and religious tolerance do not
rule each other out. they are strictly two seperate issues.
sensitivities are respected on the part of the civil institutions
but it cannot be an all take and no give. religious institutions
have a part to play to meet the civil institutions halfway as well.
everybody has a role to play in preserving order in our
multi-ethnic society.
that is why to me, the politicians who have played up this issues
are extremely irresponsible individuals. they do not represent the
views of the majority of the muslims but yet, they make loud,
irresponsible remarks which may threaten the fabric of
society.
This shows how unimportant religion is now in Singapore. Thank
God the first thing in our Rukun Negara is to Believe in God.
That indicates how we respect religion and each others belief. We
never force the non-Muslim to wear tudung. They can wear the type
of uniform that can be considered as acceptable by their belief and
culture.
singapore is a secular state. we respect each other's religion.
i personally do not think it prudent that religion should play too
big a role in our civic and secular society.
Maybe for you tudung is just a piece of cloth and it is a
petty thing. Well it is not a small matter to Muslims.
As for me if I were a Singaporean and if it is really true that the
best alternative for education in Singapore is by attending public
school, for the sake of my daughters future, I will allow her to
not to wear tudung in school because it is the rule a rule that
has no respect for religion. We call it darurat. So far nothing
can be done about it except by voicing views through proper
channel. I prefer to call it rule and not discipline because it not
making you less discipline just because of the tudung.
American school system has nothing to do with our discussion.
Thanks for highlighting that Muslim student are allowed to leave
school early to attend the Friday prayer in Singapore. It is not
news for me. But, it is discrimination for not allowing Muslims to
practise their belief i.e. in this case wearing tudung for Muslim
girls when they reach puberty.
the american system has everything to do with this discussion. i
told u. a lack of display of any religious affiliation doesn't make
u godless or disrespectful of other religion. especially if the
intention behind such an absence is to prevent discomfort among
others not sharing the religion.
I am sure that an open-minded person like will be able to
understand because as you were saying essentially there is no
problem no problem means no problem.
i stand by what i said... there is no problem with the tudung
because i respect the practices of other religions. but rules are
rules and until they are changed, we follow them.
