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SINGAPORE : The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) has said it joins Christians around the world in deploring the intention of Pastor Terry Jones of Dove Outreach Centre in the US. The Pastor has threatened to burn copies of the Koran.
In a statement, Bishop Robert Solomon, President of the NCCS, and Lim K Tham, the General Secretary of the Council, said the act would be both offensive and hurtful to Muslims around the world and in Singapore.
The Council stressed that provocative acts such as the burning of sacred texts of religious communities achieve nothing and only fan further hostility and violence.
It added that the various religious communities in Singapore have worked hard to create harmony, and mutual respect and understanding. And Singapore should not let what happens elsewhere affect the friendship and peace in the country.
The Council hopes all religious groups will work harder to overcome religious extremism and gross disrespect of religions in all their forms.
The NCCS is a body bringing together the major Christian denominations and churches in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zainul Abidin Rasheed, has said he is unhappy and disturbed with Pastor Jones' plans.
He has advised Singaporeans to remain calm and not create further unease.
Mr Zainul added: "We have to remind ourselves though, that no matter how upset we are with that proposed outrage, we should not act irrationally."
Jalan Besar GRC MP Denise Phua reiterated that the pastor's act "is not consistent with what Christianity preaches".
She pointed out that Singaporeans were unlikely to retailiate "as they will be rationale and know adverse action will only take us backwards".
Other Muslim leaders have also urged restraint.
Ameerali Abdeali, the president of the Muslim Kidney Action Committee, said: "It is natural for any Muslim to be offended, very offended by this.
"But to overreact would be playing into this pastor's hands because that is his intention. It is to provoke and that is what he wants. We should not give him that."
Concurring, Ustaz Firdaus Yahya - a member of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) fatwa committee - felt Muslims here will neither overreact nor condone violence, as these will fan radicalism further. - CNA/ms/ls
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