…
Republic World
Singapore Warns Against Terror Preacher Zakir Naik
Singapore has labelled Zakir Naik as a threat in a multiracial society. The Home Affairs and Law Minister, K Shanmugam while addressing 400 Malay grassroots leaders, singled out Zakir Naik and warned people against him.
.
Zakir Naik is an Indian Islamic preacher and the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). He is wanted for several cases for spreading terrorism and hate speech. He maintains a permanent residence in Malaysia but does not have a citizenship in the country. However, he is an honorary citizen of three other countries.
http://www.republicworld.com/s/7315/singapore-warns-against-terror-preacher-zakir-naik
…
Govt, Malay Muslims united in fight against extremism
Shanmugam says ‘race-focused’ policies vital for multiracial Singapore, Yaacob spells out community’s efforts to address challenges
Videos of sermons by extremist Islamic preachers Zakir Naik and Ismail Menk were shown in Parliament yesterday, with Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam calling for a “clear line to be drawn” when it comes to acceptable religious teachings.
Both men have been banned from Singapore – Mr Naik says Muslims cannot vote for non-Muslims, while Mr Menk says it is blasphemous for Muslims to greet believers of other faiths for Christmas or Deepavali.
Mr Shanmugam also defended “interventionist” and “race-focused” policies such as the ethnic integration policy in housing, saying it is necessary for Singapore to thrive as a multi-racial society.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim yesterday said the Malay Muslim community and its leaders are “acutely aware” of the threats of extremist ideology, segregationist beliefs and practices as well as Islamophobia, and they have stepped up efforts to address these challenges, which threaten the country’s social cohesion and national security.
The two ministers were responding to Holland-Bukit Timah MP Christopher De Souza’s motion on staying united against the threat of terrorism.
Dr Yaacob, who is also the Minister for Communications and Information, said one major strategy is developing a group of religious leaders and teachers to provide the community with sound guidance.
Last year, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association made the Asatizah Recognition Scheme mandatory – all aspiring religious teachers, or asatizah, and Islamic education centres and providers must be accredited under it before they can teach Islam in Singapore.
…
Singapore says Zakir Naik, Ismail Menk a threat to multiracial society
.
SINGAPORE: Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam has raised the alarm over what he calls a “worrying trend” in the region: the rise of exclusivist views, and the influence of foreign preachers who lead young men astray.
The Straits Times (ST) quoted him as saying: “Unfortunately, in this region no one is stopping this kind of teaching.”
Praising Singapore’s Malays for their success and tolerance, Shanmugam noted that they faced many challenges today, especially radicalism and terrorism.
The ST report said he singled out Islamic preachers Zakir Naik and Ismail Menk, who have preached in the region, as being among those teaching exclusivist views.
The ST reported that Naik had said Muslims could not vote for non-Muslims, or have Christians and Jews as friends while Menk had said it was blasphemous for Muslims to greet believers of other faiths during festivals such as Christmas or Deepavali.
Both these preachers have also given speeches in Malaysia. Naik, who has been given permanent resident status by the Malaysian government, has come under fire by various groups which claim his speeches are a danger to national unity.
Naik is on the run from India as he is wanted for questioning over money laundering and terrorism-related charges.
.
The home ministry said last Friday that it had rejected applications by the two Christian preachers for short-term work passes to speak in Singapore as they had made “denigrating and inflammatory comments” on other religions in the past.
Shanmugam warned that the government would take a tough stand against anyone who denigrated another race or religion.
…
weehingthong 
Malaysia must learn from Singapore how to stop religious extremism and stopping terrorism & religious extremism from spreading!!
The Harapan govt. if it does not take positive steps to counter terroist like Zakir will soon be lost in the Islamic wave that is engulfing Malaysia. This is very dangerous. One can see and feel the wave sweeping all facets of life in Malaysia. Clear minded and sane leaders like those in Singapore can see the immediate danger and are countering the danger. In Malaysia the govt and others who have vested interests are just paying lip service to the present danger. When will the Malaysian leaders wake up？