Religious leaders deeply concerned over suspicious parcel incident at Al-Istiqamah Mosque
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The parcel, which was found to contain meat believed to be pork, led to the evacuation of Al-Istiqamah Mosque on Sept 24.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE – The Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) has said it is deeply concerned over an incident involving a suspicious parcel that was received at Al-Istiqamah Mosque.
The parcel, which was found to contain meat believed to be pork, led to the evacuation on Sept 24 of the mosque
In a Facebook post on Sept 25, the IRO said it takes a strong stand against any actions that threaten the peace and safety of places of worship or that undermine religious harmony in Singapore.
“An act against one religion is an act against all religions,” added the non-governmental organisation, which was founded by leaders from the Hindu, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Taoist, Jain, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Baha’i religions.
The IRO said Singapore’s mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship must continue to be safe, peaceful spaces for all who seek solace, reflection and communal worship.
“We stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters and pray for continued peace and harmony in our multicultural society,” added the IRO.
In sermons prepared by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and delivered at Al-Istiqamah Mosque and other mosques in Singapore during Friday prayers on Sept 26, Muslim religious leaders called on the community to refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information.
They said that such incidents serve as reminders for the community to safeguard social cohesion and religious harmony.
“If such acts are intended to undermine the peace and harmony of our community and nation, know that they will only strengthen our spirit and resolve to uphold peace and harmony,” they said.
“And if there are those who seek to damage relations between religions and people, let it be clear that we must never equate the deeds of one person, or a small group, with an entire race or religion,” they added.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) also advised against speculating or spreading rumours over the incident.
In a public advisory, it noted that the leadership at Al-Istiqamah Mosque has called for calm, and for prayers to continue as usual.
“This reflects the solidarity that defines Singapore’s response to such provocations,” MCCY added.
The Sikh Advisory Board also strongly condemned the recent incidents at Al-Istiqamah and other mosques.
“Places of worship are sacred spaces and we cannot tolerate any acts that threaten their sanctity or the general peace and harmony in Singapore,” the board said in a statement on Sept 26.
It also echoed calls for calm, adding that it stands in solidarity with the Muslim community.
Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had revealed that similar incidents have happened very recently
Speaking to the media at the mosque in Serangoon North on Sept 25, he said the authorities were still confirming the type of meat that was sent to Al-Istiqamah Mosque, but at first sight, it appeared to be pork.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, declined to speculate on the motives but said that regardless of the parcel’s contents, the act was inflammatory.
“Whatever the motive, this is playing with fire. We are treating this matter very seriously.
“We will deal firmly with anyone found responsible,” the minister said, adding that police investigations were ongoing.
He said the police have stepped up visits to mosques and will continue to do so, but cautioned against turning places of worship into fortresses.
The police were alerted to the incident at the Serangoon North mosque at about 5.20pm on Sept 24. An employee of the mosque experienced breathlessness and was taken to Sengkang General Hospital.
Hazardous materials specialists with the Singapore Civil Defence Force did not find harmful substances.
In a Facebook post on Sept 25, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim reassured Muslims in Singapore that “our mosques remain safe spaces for worship and for our community”.
Associate Professor Faishal, who visited the mosque employee at the hospital, joined other congregants at the mosque for pre-dawn prayers the morning after the incident.
The mosque employee has since been discharged from hospital.
