Singapore must never allow divisive rhetoric to erode mutual respect and unity: Faishal Ibrahim
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Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said more understanding, not division, is needed.
PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE - Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is “complicit” in a few humanitarian disasters, warning against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode the mutual respect and unity built up in Singapore.
In a Facebook post on May 23, Madam Halimah said that being silent on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza “makes us complicit” in the violation of humanitarian laws.
She said the trickle of aid that is now entering Gaza
“Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it. Uphold humanity,” said Madam Halimah.
In response, Facebook page Critical Spectator said the former president is complicit in “quite a few humanitarian disasters”.
“If ‘keeping quiet’ about Gaza ‘makes us complicit’ in the violations there, it stands to reason that remaining silent about every other such crisis makes us complicit in it as well,” read a post by Critical Spectator on May 23, citing the situation in places such as Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar.
“And yet I’ve tried searching if Madam Halimah expressed her horror and grief about the torment of millions of people in these and other countries – and I, sadly, found nothing.”
The post then went on to say: “By her own words, then, the former president of Singapore is complicit in the ongoing starvation of up to 3.2 million children in Sudan alone, with close to 800,000 facing severe malnutrition... Looks like Madam Halimah is complicit in quite a few humanitarian disasters.”
Critical Spectator is run by Polish national Michael Petraeus.
Condemning the post by Critical Spectator, Associate Professor Faishal said that while it is valid to draw attention to suffering elsewhere, “we should reject any statement that minimises the suffering of Palestinians”.
In a Facebook post on May 23, Prof Faishal said that like many Singaporeans, he has been following the recent developments in Gaza with a heavy heart.
“The immense suffering of innocent civilians, especially women and children, pains us all deeply,” he said.
He added that he shares Madam Halimah’s sentiments, and has made his views public that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “oppressive and unacceptable”.
“Madam Halimah is a deeply respected national figure. Her concern reflects the compassion and moral courage we know her for – and that many in our community share. We must not lose sight of our shared humanity, especially in times of crises,” said Prof Faishal.
He added that the Singapore Government has not been silent on the conflict, and that it has consistently called for a humanitarian ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives, as well as supported the Palestinian people’s right to a homeland.
Singapore has, for example, consistently voted in support of UN General Assembly resolutions that reject Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and also continues to support the Palestinian Authority in building capacity for eventual statehood through the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package, said Prof Faishal.
He added that Singapore and Singaporeans have collectively contributed over $19 million in aid to Gaza.
Prof Faishal noted that many in Singapore’s Muslim community, as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life, continue to feel deeply about the tragedy unfolding in Palestine.
“That includes our former president, Madam Halimah Yacob, whose views are widely respected across our communities,” he said.
“In times like these, we need more understanding, not division. We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric – local or foreign – to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build in our multicultural society.”
Muslim MPs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim and Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, in separate Facebook posts on May 24, echoed Prof Faishal’s sentiments.
Mr Zhulkarnain said that Madam Halimah has lent her voice to many that are close to the hearts of Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion.
“The unkind remarks made towards our former President are not just uncalled for but disrespectful as they belittle the message of humanity that she is making on an issue that is important to many fellow Singaporeans,” he added.
Dr Syed Harun said that “humanity transcends boundaries of faith, ethnicity and nationality”, and added that “painting with broad brushes, dismissive rhetoric, divisive words and hostile exchange serve little purpose except to polarise”.
