Detention of woman ‘should not be used to stoke the flames of Islamophobia’
SINGAPORE — The detention of radicalised infant-care assistant Syaikhah Izzah Zahrah Al Ansari “should not cause the Muslim community to be viewed in a negative light or used to stoke the flames of Islamophobia” here, the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) has said.
In a letter addressed to the Mufti of Singapore Fatris Bakaram and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), NCCS said it was “profoundly saddened” by the news.
“The Muslim community has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation, and has also done much to strengthen our multiracial and multi-religious community,” it added. “The actions of a misguided few must never be seen as representing that of the majority of Muslims here.”
The letter, which was received by Muis yesterday, was signed by NCCS president Rennis Ponniah and general secretary Ngoei Foong Nghian.
Posting on social media yesterday, Catholic Archbishop William Goh called on society to “resist the temptation to retreat into the safety of our own ‘enclave’, and treat everyone else with suspicion, or worse still, to label people based on the religion they profess, what they wear, or (the) customs they practise”. This could cause more resentment or feelings of marginalisation, he said.
He added that religious leaders, teachers and authority figures must be on the watch and guide those under their charge. They also have to protect those susceptible to extreme fundamentalist views, he said.
He reiterated that Singaporeans also must realise they cannot depend on the Government alone to ensure their safety, and everyone has to be responsible in staying alert and reporting anything that is amiss — “even if it means surrendering our misguided loved ones, for their good, ours, and the greater good of the community”. VALERIE KOH
