Thought I share this article that I have just posted
at http://asia.groups.yahoo.com/group/Singapore_Muslims/
Joe
Zulkifli Mahmood
<[email protected]> wrote:
To: [email protected]
From: Zulkifli Mahmood <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:15:53 +0800 (CST)
Subject: [singapore_muslims] BOOKLET ON AVOIDING EXTREMISM
EXTRACTED FROM THE STRAITS TIMES, SATURDAY, APRIL 5 2008. PAGE
H4/HOME
BOOKLET ON AVOIDING
EXTREMISM
Two terrorism researchers have come up with a booklet that they
hope can make a big difference, by teaching Muslims how to avoid
falling under the spell of those who propagate extremist views.
Authors Muhammad Haniff Hassan, 39, and Mohamed Ali, 34, are
associate research fellows at the S. Rajaratnam School of
International Studies. Both have studied the works of militants who
try to recruit young Muslims.
The booklet launched yesterday, Don't Be Extreme In Your
Religion, alerts Muslims to the dangers of erroneous teachings -
such as that armed jihad is a must for every Muslim.
Said Ustaz Haniff: "We want to empower the community with tips
on how they can identify extremist ideas, react, and protect
themselves and their loved ones."
He said that some people might be hesitant about informing the
Mufti's office or the authorities about those who spread extreme
ideas.
"We tell them it is okay, religiously and rationally, to come
forward because it is for the community's good. The tip-off about
the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) network here came from a concerned Muslim
member of the community," he said.
The authorities crippled the JI network in 2001 and 2002,
arresting about 30 men for planning attacks here. But the terror
threat remains, with four young radicals detained here since last
year.
Ustaz Mohammed added that as long as radicals continue to try to
win Muslims over to their views, religious scholars had a duty to
counter their arguments.
The 20-page booklet was written over four months and is
supported by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and
Perdaus, the Singapore Adult Religious Students Association.
About 6,000 copies in English and Malay will be distributed at
mosques here, and there are plans for online and Tamil versions
too.
The booklets also carry images of ordinary people hurt by terror
acts and Quranic verses that urge moderation.
It warns against the portrayal of issues such as the unjust
treatment of Muslims in a way that arouses strong emotions, or a
call to pious Muslims to disobey non-Muslims governments.
Last year, both ustaz also wrote a booklet on the proper
understanding of jihad.
ZAKIR HUSSAIN
[email protected]
