Singapore has banned renowned Islamic Preachers, Mufti Ismail Menk and Haslin Baharim, from entering the Country, stating that both Preachers’ religious views promote discord.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement, said the decision by the Government came from Menk’s segregationist and divisive teachings. The Ministry also accused Baharim of promoting disharmony between Muslims and non-Muslims who he labeled ‘deviants’.
The Ministry claimed that Menk said Muslims were not allowed to greet people of other faiths on their religious festivals. This is however not out of place in Islam, as it is a well-known fact that Muslims do not congratulate people of other religious beliefs on their religious festivals.
This is also not restrictive to Islam, as there are Jehovah Witnesses who do not congratulate people of other religious belief during their festivities, among others.
“Their views are unacceptable in the context of Singapore’s multi-racial and multi- religious society. They will not be allowed to get around the ban by preaching instead on cruise ships which operate to and from Singapore”
“Such divisive views breed intolerance and exclusivist practices that will damage social harmony, and cause communities to drift apart”.
On his Facebook page, Mufi Ismail Menk said,
“I was asked to join this historic cruise to Banda Aceh earlier this year, the organisers were planning the first fully halal cruise and wanted me to be a part of it, I agreed.
“My work permit issue with Singapore in Nov 2015 is common knowledge. Since then, I have had no issues coming into Singapore as a tourist. To imply that I was using the cruise to get around the ban by preaching instead on cruise ships which operate to and from Singapore is erroneous.
“I have never been on a cruise before, let alone give lectures on board. This was purely for a humanitarian mission to Banda Aceh. I will not be joining the cruise now for reasons not within my control.
“For those who have booked cabins, I wish you a beautiful journey and may the Almighty accept it from you”.
Meanwhile, Johor, a Malaysian State, has also banned Mufti Ismail Menk and Haslin Baharim from giving religious talks, saying the Preachers have previously delivered speeches that could disrupt the harmony between races.
Despite the fact that Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Country will allow the two clerics to preach, Johor’s Religious Affairs Committee Chairman, Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim, said the move was a decree from the Sultan of Johor, Ibrahim Iskandar.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the Preachers have
“not suggested anything that goes against our understanding of cultural and religious diversity to the point of causing social, racial and religious tensions in Malaysia”.
Abd Mutalip said “The Johor Islamic Religious Department will continue to monitor religious talks in the state in order to ensure that there are no elements or views that encourage racial disunity from being delivered”.
