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Feb 10, 2011
Muslims, not Islam, make things troublesome
Our sister newspapers, Berita Harian and Berita Minggu, ran numerous commentaries in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks on Muslim Singaporeans in his recent book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going. We carry below edited excerpts from some of the commentaries. Translated by Norzulriyah Haron
WHY is Islam so troublesome?
That was the question an acquaintance asked as we dined at a wedding feast.
We were discussing the recent controversy over Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks about Singapore Muslims in his book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.
Among other things, Mr Lee noted Muslims' difficulties in dining together with non-Muslims and suggested that Muslims be less strict in their religious observances.
Thankfully, the controversy was resolved by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's statement that MM Lee's remarks were his personal views and not those of the Government.
The fact is that there is no problem in Muslims and non-Muslims dining together. But as my acquaintance asked: 'Why is Islam so troublesome?' At first glance, there are some truths in the question:
# Muslims have to pray five times a day on time.
# Every year, they have to fast for a month and refrain from eating or drinking even a drop of water the entire day.
# Once in a lifetime, they have to go on haj, spending thousands of dollars.
# Besides paying the income tax, they also have to pay the zakat (tithe) annually.
These are among the five pillars of Islam, which do not include the following facts:
# Muslims always seem to be fussy about food and have to check the ingredients or whether there are halal logos from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
# Muslim women have to cover up when they reach puberty. This is a challenge for female students who have to wear uniforms.
# Muslim men have to be circumcised.
Therefore, it is not surprising that some non-Muslims consider Islam troublesome! My reply to them would be as follows:
# Islam is not troublesome. It merely looks troublesome. It is like learning how to ride a bicycle. Initially it feels awkward. But as soon as you learn to balance and ride, you can move fast.
# Islam is not just about praying, fasting, going on haj, paying zakat and so on. All these derive from a system of values that pertains not just to Muslims, but also to non-Muslims and the environment.
# Finally, it is not Islam that is troublesome; rather, Muslims are the ones who cause trouble to Islam.
When I was a child, I was discouraged from wishing 'good' to non-Muslims. I was told only Muslims deserved such an 'honour'. So I could not wish Ah Seng and Tom 'good morning' or 'good afternoon'. I could wish them only 'morning' or 'afternoon'.
I did this for years without understanding until I learnt that Prophet Muhammad was sent to all mankind, not just Muslims.
The Prophet himself was most tolerant and simple. For instance, he stood up to show respect at a Jewish funeral.
It crossed my mind that the issue of halal food will not be problematic or troublesome if Muslims controlled their own food industry. Instead, Muslims are reliant on non-Muslims for food.
So who is now in trouble or troublesome?
A. RAHMAN BASRUN (BH, FEB 3)
Muslims, not Islam, make things troublesome
Our sister newspapers, Berita Harian and Berita Minggu, ran numerous commentaries in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks on Muslim Singaporeans in his recent book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going. We carry below edited excerpts from some of the commentaries. Translated by Norzulriyah Haron
WHY is Islam so troublesome?
That was the question an acquaintance asked as we dined at a wedding feast.
We were discussing the recent controversy over Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks about Singapore Muslims in his book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.
Among other things, Mr Lee noted Muslims' difficulties in dining together with non-Muslims and suggested that Muslims be less strict in their religious observances.
Thankfully, the controversy was resolved by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's statement that MM Lee's remarks were his personal views and not those of the Government.
The fact is that there is no problem in Muslims and non-Muslims dining together. But as my acquaintance asked: 'Why is Islam so troublesome?' At first glance, there are some truths in the question:
# Muslims have to pray five times a day on time.
# Every year, they have to fast for a month and refrain from eating or drinking even a drop of water the entire day.
# Once in a lifetime, they have to go on haj, spending thousands of dollars.
# Besides paying the income tax, they also have to pay the zakat (tithe) annually.
These are among the five pillars of Islam, which do not include the following facts:
# Muslims always seem to be fussy about food and have to check the ingredients or whether there are halal logos from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
# Muslim women have to cover up when they reach puberty. This is a challenge for female students who have to wear uniforms.
# Muslim men have to be circumcised.
Therefore, it is not surprising that some non-Muslims consider Islam troublesome! My reply to them would be as follows:
# Islam is not troublesome. It merely looks troublesome. It is like learning how to ride a bicycle. Initially it feels awkward. But as soon as you learn to balance and ride, you can move fast.
# Islam is not just about praying, fasting, going on haj, paying zakat and so on. All these derive from a system of values that pertains not just to Muslims, but also to non-Muslims and the environment.
# Finally, it is not Islam that is troublesome; rather, Muslims are the ones who cause trouble to Islam.
When I was a child, I was discouraged from wishing 'good' to non-Muslims. I was told only Muslims deserved such an 'honour'. So I could not wish Ah Seng and Tom 'good morning' or 'good afternoon'. I could wish them only 'morning' or 'afternoon'.
I did this for years without understanding until I learnt that Prophet Muhammad was sent to all mankind, not just Muslims.
The Prophet himself was most tolerant and simple. For instance, he stood up to show respect at a Jewish funeral.
It crossed my mind that the issue of halal food will not be problematic or troublesome if Muslims controlled their own food industry. Instead, Muslims are reliant on non-Muslims for food.
So who is now in trouble or troublesome?
A. RAHMAN BASRUN (BH, FEB 3)
