Senseless acts of terror against tenets of Islam: Yaacob
Muslim worshippers gather after a suicide bomber detonated a device near the security headquarters of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, July 4, 2016. Photo: Reuters
SINGAPORE — From Orlando to Baghdad, and now Medina in Saudi Arabia, the spate of “vile attacks” is caused by misguided people blemishing the name of Islam, a religion that places “great emphasis on the sanctity of human lives”, said the Mufti of Singapore, Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram.
Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), Dr Fatris, Singapore’s top Muslim religious leader, noted that the attacks, the latest of which killed four in Medina took place during Ramadan.
“The fact that the attacks took place during Ramadan, in which Muslims are taught to be close to the Creator and to seek His blessings through doing good deeds and refraining from evil, shows clearly these attacks have nothing to do with Islam,” he said. “These are outrageous and evil attacks against humanity.”
On Monday (July 4), suicide bombers struck Saudi Arabia as Saudis prepared to break their fast on the penultimate day of the holy month of Ramadan. It followed days of mass killings claimed by the Islamic State group in Turkey, Bangladesh and Iraq.
Responding to media queries, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the Republic’s security agencies had immediately stepped up checks and patrols after the recent terror attacks in Malaysia and Istanbul. “We will calibrate security measures according to the threat environment,” an MHA spokesperson added.
Dr Fatris said Singapore has been blessed to see many instances of the Muslim community coming together to help one another during Ramadan, while Singaporeans from other faiths have also joined in communal iftars.
“This is the embodiment of the true teachings of Islam and all religions. This is the spirit that we should continue to harness that can help further strengthen us as a society,” he said.
In a Facebook post, Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim also condemned the “senseless acts of terror”. That the attackers targeted Muslim-majority cities and countries confirm that “their heinous acts are against Islam and do not represent Muslims all over the world”, he said.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said there had been no reports of any Singaporeans injured or directly affected by the attacks so far. The ministry had also verified the safety of most of the registered Singaporeans in Medina, and will continue to contact the remaining registered Singaporeans.
Imam, an organisation for Singaporean students studying in Saudi Arabia, said all but one of 50-odd students from various universities in Saudi Arabia had returned to Singapore, as they were currently on summer break.
Imam president Muhammad Luqman Hakim, 24, said he has been told that the remaining student was not in the area where the attacks took place.
The MFA said Singaporeans in Saudi Arabia should exercise vigilance and follow the instructions of the local authorities, and when possible, let their family and friends know that they are safe. Those who require consular assistance should contact the Singapore Embassy in Riyadh, the Singapore Consulate-General in Jeddah or the 24-hour Duty Office, said the ministry.
HOW TO REACH MFA:
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore - Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
Address: Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966-(11) 480-3855, +966-500-191220
Fax: +966-(11) 483-0632
E-mail: Singemb_ruh [at] mfa.sg
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore - Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
Address: Villa No. 5, Mohammed Tawfic Al Abbasi Street Off Hera’a Street,(Behind Danube Madinah Road) Opposite Al-Ghais Mosque
Telephone: +966-(12) 6073980, +966-(12) 6073981
Fax: +966-(12) 6074280
E-mail: Singcg_jed [at] mfa.sg
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24-hour hotline)
Address: Tanglin, Singapore 248163
Telephone: 6379 8800, 6379 8855
Fax: 6476 7302
E-mail: mfa_duty_officer [at] mfa.gov.sg
