Singapore to expel Muslim cleric for prayer against Christians and Jews
Muslim cleric to be sent back to native India for his use of phrase "fansurna alal qaumil yahudiyyin wan nasraniyyin--- O Allah grant us help against the Jews and the Christians"
In a written apology, He said I had recited the additional supplication in Arabic, which was taken from an old text that originated from my village in India. It was not an extract from the Holy Koran
Singapore on Monday said it would repatriate the chief cleric of a Muslim mosque for offensive remarks targeting Christians and Jews, a decision that aimed to repudiate divisive speech.
Authorities in the multi-ethnic city-state, an outpost of stability in a region where religious tension is not uncommon, are sensitive to public remarks they deem might adversely affect religious and social harmony.
During Friday prayers on January 6, the cleric, Nalla Mohamed Abdul Jameel Abdul Malik, made use of the phrase, Grant us help against the Jews and the Christians, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on its website.
He had uttered a prayer in Arabic that included the phrase fansurna alal qaumil yahudiyyin wan nasraniyyin, which appealed to Allah to help us against the Jews and the Christians.
You knew that these words may be interpreted as asking God to grant Muslims victory against the Jews and Christians, District Judge Jasbendar Kaur said in passing sentence.
The phrase can create friction and conflicts between different religious groups, Kaur said.
The 46-year-old, popularly known as Nalla, admitted making the remarks, apologised and recognised that it was unacceptable in Singapores multi-racial and multi-religious context, the ministry said in a statement.
He pleaded guilty in a Singapore court, and was fined S$4,000 ($2,862), it added.He will be repatriated, it said. Any religious leader from any religion who makes such statements will be held accountable for their actions.
The government had the responsibility to act quickly and firmly to repudiate divisive speech, even if the course of action is sometimes difficult, it added.
Nalla has worked diligently as Chief Imam at the Jamae Chulia Mosque over the past seven years, attending to the needs of his congregation, and reaching out to other faiths. He has not been deliberately malicious.
I fully respect the laws of the land and appreciate the concerns of her people, the Straits Times newspaper on Friday quoted him as saying. I am truly sorry that I had offended you, and I must bear full responsibility for my actions.
Muslims and Christians account for about 15 per cent each of Singapores resident population, while Buddhists and Taoists make up just over half, according to a 2010 census.
The case erupted after a video recording of the sermon was posted on Facebook in February by someone in the congregation.
Nalla subsequently made an open apology on March 31 in the presence of 30 leaders of different religions.
Under Singapore law, acts that are prejudicial to races or religions can be punished with up to three years in jail, a fine, or both.
Written apology
In a written apology, Mr. Malik said that the chant was taken from a text he found at his village. I had recited the additional supplication in Arabic, which was taken from an old text that originated from my village in India. It was not an extract from the Holy Koran, he said. As a resident here from a foreign land, I should have practised my faith in accordance with, and appropriate to the social norms and laws of this country. I fully admit that my said actions have no place wheresoever in this extremely multi-religious and multi-cultural society.
When contacted, Mr. Malik chose not to speak.
He is a free man and is not under custody now. I was not told when the repatriation would take place; I expect it to take place soon, Mr. Maliks lawyer, Noor Mohamed Marican, said.
Mr. Malik has been in Singapore on a work permit since 2010. The Ministry had good things to say about him. The action against Nalla has been taken with some regret. Nalla has worked diligently as Chief Imam at the Jamae Chulia Mosque over the past seven years, attending to the needs of his congregation, and reaching out to other faiths. He has not been deliberately malicious, it said.
Two others were given stern warnings in the case: a person who published the video of the speech online and a tenured National University of Singapore Associate Professor who posted on Facebook about it.
Source
Muslim cleric to be sent back to native India for his use of phrase "fansurna alal qaumil yahudiyyin wan nasraniyyin--- O Allah grant us help against the Jews and the Christians"
In a written apology, He said I had recited the additional supplication in Arabic, which was taken from an old text that originated from my village in India. It was not an extract from the Holy Koran
Singapore on Monday said it would repatriate the chief cleric of a Muslim mosque for offensive remarks targeting Christians and Jews, a decision that aimed to repudiate divisive speech.
Authorities in the multi-ethnic city-state, an outpost of stability in a region where religious tension is not uncommon, are sensitive to public remarks they deem might adversely affect religious and social harmony.
During Friday prayers on January 6, the cleric, Nalla Mohamed Abdul Jameel Abdul Malik, made use of the phrase, Grant us help against the Jews and the Christians, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on its website.
He had uttered a prayer in Arabic that included the phrase fansurna alal qaumil yahudiyyin wan nasraniyyin, which appealed to Allah to help us against the Jews and the Christians.
You knew that these words may be interpreted as asking God to grant Muslims victory against the Jews and Christians, District Judge Jasbendar Kaur said in passing sentence.
The phrase can create friction and conflicts between different religious groups, Kaur said.
The 46-year-old, popularly known as Nalla, admitted making the remarks, apologised and recognised that it was unacceptable in Singapores multi-racial and multi-religious context, the ministry said in a statement.
He pleaded guilty in a Singapore court, and was fined S$4,000 ($2,862), it added.He will be repatriated, it said. Any religious leader from any religion who makes such statements will be held accountable for their actions.
The government had the responsibility to act quickly and firmly to repudiate divisive speech, even if the course of action is sometimes difficult, it added.
Nalla has worked diligently as Chief Imam at the Jamae Chulia Mosque over the past seven years, attending to the needs of his congregation, and reaching out to other faiths. He has not been deliberately malicious.
I fully respect the laws of the land and appreciate the concerns of her people, the Straits Times newspaper on Friday quoted him as saying. I am truly sorry that I had offended you, and I must bear full responsibility for my actions.
Muslims and Christians account for about 15 per cent each of Singapores resident population, while Buddhists and Taoists make up just over half, according to a 2010 census.
The case erupted after a video recording of the sermon was posted on Facebook in February by someone in the congregation.
Nalla subsequently made an open apology on March 31 in the presence of 30 leaders of different religions.
Under Singapore law, acts that are prejudicial to races or religions can be punished with up to three years in jail, a fine, or both.
Written apology
In a written apology, Mr. Malik said that the chant was taken from a text he found at his village. I had recited the additional supplication in Arabic, which was taken from an old text that originated from my village in India. It was not an extract from the Holy Koran, he said. As a resident here from a foreign land, I should have practised my faith in accordance with, and appropriate to the social norms and laws of this country. I fully admit that my said actions have no place wheresoever in this extremely multi-religious and multi-cultural society.
When contacted, Mr. Malik chose not to speak.
He is a free man and is not under custody now. I was not told when the repatriation would take place; I expect it to take place soon, Mr. Maliks lawyer, Noor Mohamed Marican, said.
Mr. Malik has been in Singapore on a work permit since 2010. The Ministry had good things to say about him. The action against Nalla has been taken with some regret. Nalla has worked diligently as Chief Imam at the Jamae Chulia Mosque over the past seven years, attending to the needs of his congregation, and reaching out to other faiths. He has not been deliberately malicious, it said.
Two others were given stern warnings in the case: a person who published the video of the speech online and a tenured National University of Singapore Associate Professor who posted on Facebook about it.
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