Muis warns against books, preachers contrary to ethos of Singapore Muslim identity

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has reiterated the values of Singaporean Muslims and how they relate to multicultural Singapore with a recommendation that selected books are "restricted from circulation".

Muis found four publications advocating problematic religious positions that are exclusivist in nature and that promote enmity, strife and potentially violence between Muslims and non-Muslims, attacking the modern, democratic nation-state, the organisation said.

"In their writings, these authors present a binary view of the world – Islam vs the rest of the world, Muslims versus non-Muslims. They fail to appropriately contextualise their analysis, understanding and interpretation of Islamic teachings to the modern world. These books do not promote a peaceful, moderate understanding and practice of Islam in multicultural societies. Instead, they project a simplistic, inward-looking and skewed understanding of Islam," Muis said.

Muis also released commentary on a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) statement that foreign preachers Ismail Menk (also known as Mufti Menk) and Haslin bin Baharim are not allowed to enter the country. Both preachers had been engaged to preach on a religious-themed cruise departing and ending in Singapore from 25 to 29 November 2017.

The MHA noted that both preachers had previously had their miscellaneous work pass applications to preach in Singapore rejected, and said that they cannot get around the ban by preaching on cruise ships which operate to and from Singapore.

Muis said that it assesses applications for foreign preachers to speak during events in Singapore, and in doing so, reviews the background of these preachers. 

"Muis does not support applications for foreign preachers whose views contravene the Code of Ethics under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme, and whose ideas are deeply problematic and very unsuited to a multi-religious context in Singapore," the council said in a statement. "This includes teachings with absolutist leanings."

"Such divisive views breed intolerance and exclusivist practices that will damage social harmony, and cause communities to drift apart. They are unacceptable in the context of Singapore's multi-racial and  multi-religious society," MHA said in a statement. 

According to Muis and the MHA Ismail Menk had said that wishing others during their religious festivals is totally prohibited and will nullify a Muslim’s faith. Haslin bin Baharim had advised that non-Muslims in multicultural and multi-religious societies should be made subservient to Muslims, Muis added. 

"Muis finds that these teachings clearly contravene the Code of Ethics and run counter to the values Singaporean Muslims uphold dearly that can contribute to a progressive and thriving religious life in Singapore. Muis has thus not supported applications by these preachers," the council stated.

"The government has a responsibility to safeguard social cohesion and religious harmony in Singapore. Singaporeans too, need to play their part, to unequivocally reject and guard against divisive doctrines and preachers who propagate such doctrines, regardless of the faith they represent. They are detrimental to our society and way of life, and will undermine the fundamentals of Singapore's peace and progress."

Details:

The four publications are:

At-Tauhid Li ash-Shaff al-Awwal al-‘Ali, by Syaikh Dr Shalih bin Fauzan bin Abdullah al-Fauzan. Indonesian translation: Kitab Tauhid 1, translated by Agus Hasan Bashori, Lc.
Published by Darul Haq, Jakarta, 2015

Aqidatut Tauhid Kitabut Tauhid lis-Shaff Al-Awwal – Ats-Tsalis Al-Aly, by Dr Shalih bin Fauzan al-Fauzan and team Ahli Tauhid.
Indonesian translation: Siri Buku Aqidah Kitab Tauhid, translated by Syahirul Alim Al-Adib, Lc. Published by Ummul Qura, Jakarta Timur, 2016

Al-Wajiz Fi Fiqhis Sunnah Wal Kitabil ‘Aziz, by ‘Abdul ‘Azhim bin Badawi al-Khalafi.
Indonesian translation: Al-Wajiz, translated by Ma’ruf Abdul Jalil.
Published by Pustaka as-Sunnah, Jakarta, 2011

Bimbingan Islam Untuk Hidup Muslim Petunjuk Praktis Menjadi Muslim Seutuhnya Dari Lahir Sampai Mati Berdasarkan Al-Qur’an dan Sunnah Rasulullah, by Dr Ahmad Matta, MA; Dr Abas Mansur Tamam, MA; Ahmad Syahirul Alim, Lc., M. Pd.I.
Published by Maghfirah Pustaka, Jakarta Timur, 2016

Dnata to handle Bahrain shore excursions for the AIDAstella

Dnata, the Middle Eastern travel management company with services spanning every aspect of the travel industry, has recently entered into partnership with Germany’s AIDA Cruises to provide shore excursions to AIDA guests in Bahrain.

Dnata expects to serve approximately 25,000 to 30,000 tourists to Bahrain over the next year as it services AIDAstella, which cruises the Gulf waters and has a capacity of 2,300 passengers.

“As a destination management company (DMC) with specialised areas of operation, dnata has the flexibility to tailor its products to meet the unique requirements of our clients. The partnership with AIDA Cruises fits in with our strategic focus to provide premium holiday products and services in the Kingdom‎ of Bahrain and further cement our position as a leader in cruise handling in the region," said Ashley Correa, General Manager, dnata Bahrain.

dnata is the largest cruise passenger-handling DMC in the Middle East. Since 2012, the company has provided more than 660,000 guest transfers and over 300,000 shore excursions. “With Dubai targeting one million cruise guests by 2020, the company expects its partnership with AIDA Cruises and other leading cruise companies to further position Cruise Arabia and the wider region as a sought-after cruise destination,” said Jasem Zaiton, dnata’s Cruise Manager.