Muslims Against Terror

A recent study on race and religion in Singapore was timely in checking the sentiments we harbour against “The Others”. In a survey of tolerance against other religions, Islam was listed as the least well received which probably due to the association with current global terrorism and the reluctance of the local moderate Muslims to speak up against the extremist teachings.

It’s a bit disheartening to know that the availability of various community engagement programmes does not eradicate the stigma associated with being a Muslim in Singapore. Making a clear distinction between the radical and moderate Muslim is baffling for a Muslim, what else to a non-Muslim.

In London recently, more than 130 Muslim scholars called for peace with the Christians but in Singapore we have yet to see the combined efforts by the religious leaders in addressing others misgivings on Islam. I personally believe that if all the local Muslim scholars, imams, community leaders and moderate Muslims publicly declared their support for anti-terrorism, more faith will be place on the local Muslims. In the era of global terrorism, there are more avenues spreading radical views of Islam than countering them. Local Muslims community should collaborate intensively in countering the radical ideology and address the non-Muslims doubts.

Besides the Muslim Converts’ Association, there are no other avenues for a non-Muslim to learn about Islam. While the Muslims are discussing the correct interpretations of Islam, the non-Muslims are left out and therefore, the element of distrust and of associating Islam & terrorism is still rampant and spreading within the non-Muslims.