Religious tolerance crucial

Clivebenss SG

By Shawn Lee Miller

20-YEAR-OLD NSF Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid wanted to join a militant jihad overseas; while Pastor Rony Tan's insensitive remarks against Buddhists and Taoists created a stir in the community.

In the face of these religious tensions, the first ever International Conference on Muslims in Multicultural Societies organised by MUIS will be held over two days at the Grand Hyatt hotel.

Delivering the keynote address at the conference, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong cited the example of the church pastor and how efforts were made to diffuse the tension and avert political conflict.

"At a personal level, Singaporeans of all faiths must continue to show tolerance and understanding and to adopt a live-and-let-live approach to life," said SM Goh at the conference.

Clivebenss SG

By Zakir Hussain

IN SEVERAL countries, especially in Europe, Muslims are seen as a 'problem' because their numbers have risen significantly in recent years.

Islamic scholars on Thursday suggested ways these Muslims, who are in the minority, can overcome prejudices.

Top of the list: They have to realise that integration alone is not enough.

Muslims need to make active contributions to their societies, like volunteering or joining civil society groups, said Swiss theologian Tariq Ramadan.

Addressing them directly, he said: 'Speak out, reach out, be connected with your fellow citizens.. And don't only talk about Islam, be much more involved in social matters.'

Professor Ramadan, an Oxford don, made the point to reporters at the end of two days of discussions on how Muslims can draw on their faith to thrive in multicultural societies.

Clivebenss SG

THE recent detention of a self-radicalised full-time national serviceman under the Internal Security Act has not changed the Government's view of other Malay or Muslim servicemen who continue to serve dutifully and with commitment in their units, said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday.

He also gave the assurance that the case has not affected the security and integrity of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Mr Teo was replying to a question in Parliament from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Michael Palmer who had asked what steps were being taken to ensure that the SAF is secure from similar self-radicalised activists like NSman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, who made online contact with a suspected Al-Qaeda recruiter and wanted to embark on armed jihad overseas.

Mr Teo said Muhd Fadil, 20, 'was a solitary individual who took the wrong path'. 'Mindef's view of other Malay or Muslim servicemen who continue to serve dutifully and with commitment in their units. Mindef has briefed SAF commanders on this case, and they have briefed their own servicemen so as to ensure that the whole organisation understands this position clearly,' he said.

The minister said the security agencies in Mindef and the ministry of Home Affairs worked closely together on this case, and acted as soon as there was sufficient indication that Muhd Fadil was a security risk.

At the national level, Mr Teo said the authorities have instituted security systems and processes to detect, monitor and neutralise potential security threats, adding that Mindef and SAF are part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface.