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» Self-radicalised NSman detained under ISA, two other S'poreans placed on Restriction Orders
Self-radicalised NSman detained under ISA, two other S'poreans placed on Restriction Orders
26 July 2010
MY LIFE
The Straits Times - Taking the fight to radicalisation
26 July 2010
Earlier this month, full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, was detained by the Ministry of Home Affairs for dabbling in radical teachings and intending to take up arms for his cause. YouthInk writers discuss what they and their peers can do to fight the radicalisation of youth.
Inter-faith dialogues can help
IT IS all too easy for youth to be radicalised today: Look no further than online forums to read all the disparaging comments about this faith or that religion.
Such comments can influence young and impressionable minds, with dangerous repercussions.
We can minimise such risks by providing a platform for young people to have easy access to accurate and respectful information about other faiths.
One excellent way to do this is to have more inter-faith dialogues.
A few months ago, I had the honour of moderating a dialogue between the Varsity Christian Fellowship and the Muslim Society of my university, about the role of faith in student life.
It was a very pleasant and fruitful session. Students had the opportunity to air their views about religion and dispel misconceptions.
Youth will be less at risk of radicalisation when they acknowledge that believers of other religions are fundamentally just like themselves - seeking peace, happiness and fellowship.
Ow Yeong Wai Kit, 21, is a second-year arts and social sciences student at the National University of Singapore.
Bring back religious education
A DEEPER understanding of the intricacies of each religion is sadly not happening because of a mindset that, for the sake of religious harmony and respect, we should refrain from discussing religion in public.
This could lead to a void in knowledge which radicals can exploit.
How about bringing back religious education in schools, if only to give a neutral breakdown and understanding of the main religions here?
The presence of such classes could reduce the chances of people embracing radical ideology.
Owen Yeo, 21, is a second-year social sciences student at Singapore Management University (SMU).
Friends play an important part
FRIENDSHIPS play an extremely important but largely unrecognised role in one's life - it becomes more fulfilling and meaningful knowing that you have good friends by your side.
This is more so for my generation - we are usually closer to friends than family. We are in better positions to teach our friends to treasure life and the people around them.
Particular attention should be paid to victims of bullying. Such youth might grow up harbouring hatred towards society and seek vengeance.
Again, if friends are there for them and change their lives for the better, they can be healed.
Prevention is always better than cure. We should keep in close contact with our peers and be aware of what they think and feel. When every youth leads a happy life with a close circle of friends, radicalisation has no place in it.
Ernest Tan, 21, has a place to read economics at SMU.
Youth clubs against extremism
TO NIP radicalisation in the bud, perhaps we could start youth clubs against racism and religious extremism. Issues can be discussed in school during moral education classes or events such as Racial Harmony Day.
Students can also be encouraged to blog about their own cultures and religions, and how these play out in their daily lives. They should be encouraged to read each other's blogs and discuss the topics blogged about.
This would make them more aware of each other's cultures and lessen the likelihood of them being swayed by extreme beliefs.
We cannot stop radicalisation, but we can choose to stand by our values.
Nicholas Lam, 11, is a Primary 6 pupil at Rosyth School.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
The Straits Times - Fight radicals by intervening early, says DPM Wong
20 July 2010
Alerting the authorities not betrayal, but act of moral courage, he says
By Rachel Lin
REFERRING self-radicalised individuals to the authorities is not an act of 'betrayal', Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng said in Parliament yesterday.
In fact, heeding warning signs and intervening early is the best way to address deviant teachings and protect innocent lives, he said.
This was particularly important in an age when radicalisation can take place on the Internet, and individuals can imbibe extremist views without others knowing.
He was responding to questions from Mr Christopher De Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) and Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade GRC) on the detention of full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid.
Fadil had absorbed militant jihadist ideas through the Internet and made online contact with radical cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki, expressing a desire to fight overseas.
The Home Affairs Ministry announced earlier this month it had arrested him in April and issued Restriction Orders on two other people, religious teacher Muhammad Anwar Jailani and his student Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood.
Mr Wong said Fadil had been radicalised through an 'individual quest' for answers to his religious questions.
Both he and Thahir had told people who were close to them that they were interested in militant jihad. Their visits to radical websites were no secret either.
However, Mr Wong said these warning signs were not taken seriously, which allowed Fadil and Thahir's radical views to go unchecked.
Had the authorities been contacted at an earlier stage, he said, 'the two of them might not have had to be detained or placed on Restriction Orders'.
'Early intervention is the best way to save a relative or friend from the road to radicalisation,' he added, saying that seeking help from the authorities was an act of 'moral courage'.
'It should not be seen as betrayal, because such action helps both the individual and our society,' he said.
On a community level, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is looking into new ways to counter radical influences, he said.
One option Muis is exploring is to give the existing Asatizah Recognition Scheme, which accredits religious teachers, more teeth. This will make it illegal for Islamic institutions to engage unaccredited teachers.
It is also considering stationing liaison officers overseas to keep in touch with Muslim Singaporeans studying abroad, and more measures to counsel students on their choice of foreign religious schools.
In response to a question from Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC), he noted that self-radicalised individuals could come from any background.
He said: 'From the cases that we have investigated, radicalisation actually cuts across all groups.'
Fadil had been a polytechnic student, while another detainee, Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader, arrested in 2007, was a polytechnic law lecturer educated in Raffles Institution and National Junior College.
Mr Wong also felt that self-radicalisation was not a symptom of a deeper malaise. The Muslim community here was fundamentally moderate, he said.
He stressed that harmonious ethnic relations were the bedrock of Singapore's efforts to counter radicalisation.
'I truly hope that Singaporeans will never have to experience the pain of a terrorist attack,' he said.
'But if we should ever face such an attack, then we should ensure that we are prepared, and that our sober and balanced responses as a society ensure that we are resilient and able to recover from such an attack.
'How we react to an attack as a people is crucial because the injury that a terrorist attack inflicts on a society is deepest and long lasting when it permanently scars communal relations with mistrust and animosities.'
'Early intervention is the best way to save a relative or friend from the road to radicalisation... It should not be seen as betrayal, because such action helps both the individual and our society.'
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
The Straits Times - Incident won't affect Malays in the SAF
20 July 2010
'Investigations have shown that Muhammad Fadil was a solitary individual who took the wrong path. This specific case, therefore, will not affect the way the Ministry of Defence deploys Malay or Muslim servicemen in the SAF.
The SAF is a microcosm of Singapore society, and race relations within the SAF reflect those in our broader society. As Singapore has made steady progress towards racial and religious integration, so has the SAF. Malays serve today in many more places and roles in the SAF than before. They are in the commandos, engineers, artillery, and serve as pilots and sea soldiers.
As Malay educational standards have improved, a higher proportion of Malay enlistees are fulfilling the educational prerequisites to be selected for commanders' training. Indeed, more Malays are now serving their full-time national service as commanders. Among our regular Malay servicemen, some have risen to hold senior and sensitive command and staff appointments.'
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean (above), in response to a question from Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) on whether the detention of full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid would affect the deployment of Malay-Muslims in the Singapore Armed Forces
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
The Straits Times - Schools in frontline against errant ideas
20 July 2010
SCHOOLS are in the frontline of the Government's efforts to counter radical jihadist ideology.
The Internal Security Department (ISD) has been holding seminars and talks for teachers and students, helping them to understand the significance of deviant, extremist teachings.
The talks also teach schools how to recognise individuals grappling with errant ideas.
Such efforts have been backed up by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng outlined to Parliament yesterday.
He was addressing a question from Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade GRC) on the processes that are in place for people to report instances of self-radicalisation.
Mr Wong felt that the educational talks by the ISD and MOE had borne fruit. 'From what we know, teachers and principals have no issues about contacting the security agencies to tell them of the concerns they have, and to seek help from the authorities, who will then talk to the individual students concerned.'
Looking beyond educational institutions, Mr Wong also praised the efforts of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), which counsels terror detainees and their families.
The RRG has also raised public awareness of the falsehoods in jihadist ideology, using public forums, articles and the press.
Mr Wong said the ISD also works with the Media Development Authority to police bookstores, making sure they do not carry extremist literature.
Such efforts would be stepped up and errant distributors will be punished, he added.
Nevertheless, Mr Wong emphasised that there was no foolproof way to screen out all instances of militant jihadist ideas, especially on the Internet. Blocking one of the thousands of radical websites would just result in it resurfacing elsewhere, perhaps under a different name.
An effective screening system would also require the Government to block popular websites such as YouTube and Facebook, which would not be practical, he said.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
TODAY - Malays, Muslims still hold important SAF posts: DPM
20 July 2010
by Zul Othman
SINGAPORE - Malays and Muslims will continue to hold important positions in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) despite the latest case involving a self-radicalised National Serviceman.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean told Parliament yesterday that investigations had shown that the soldier arrested by the Internal Security Department in April was a "solitary individual who took the wrong path". He stressed the case had not affected the integrity and security of the SAF or the Ministry of Defence's (Mindef) view of other Malays or Muslims currently serving in the SAF.
Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, has been detained for two years, from April 4, for expounding jihadist views and striving for martyrdom. He had enlisted last September, and was undergoing section leader training at Pasir Laba Camp when he was arrested.
Said DPM Teo, who is also the Defence Minister: "Mindef has briefed SAF commanders on this case, and they have briefed their own servicemen so as to ensure that the whole organisation understands this position clearly.
"The SAF is a microcosm of Singapore society, and race relations within the SAF reflect those in our broader society. Thus, as Singapore has made steady progress towards racial and religious integration, so has the SAF.
"Malays serve today in many more places and roles in the SAF than before - in the Commandos, Engineers, Artillery, and as Pilots and Sea Soldiers.
"As Malay educational standards have improved, a higher proportion of Malay enlistees are fulfilling the educational prerequisites to be selected for commanders' training. Indeed, more Malays are now serving their full-time National Service as commanders.
"And among our regular Malay servicemen, some have risen to hold senior and sensitive command and staff appointments. In each case, it is because the individual serviceman has the required qualifications and merit, and is the most suitable person for the job."
He was responding to a question by Member of Parliament Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) who wanted to know what steps were being taken to ensure that the SAF was secure from similar self-radicalised activists.
Mdm Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) also asked how Mindef had been working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the early detection of such individuals.
In his reply, Mr Teo said the security agencies in the two ministries had worked closely on this case. They had acted as soon as there was an indication that Muhammad Fadil was a security risk.
Said Mr Teo: "At the national level, we have instituted security systems and processes to detect, monitor and neutralise potential security threats. Mindef and the SAF are part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface."
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TODAY - Warning to unaccredited religious teachers
20 July 2010
They will be taken to court under tightened guidelines: DPM Wong
by Zul Othman
SINGAPORE - Islamic religious teachers who persist in teaching without accreditation could find themselves in court. This warning came from Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng who told Parliament the existing guidelines would be tightened.
He said this while responding to questions from MPs on what the Government was doing to tackle the threat of jihadist radicalisation.
This proposal comes after it was announced that national serviceman Muhammad Fadil bin Abdul Hamid, 20, was arrested and detained by the Internal Security Department (ISD) in April.
The ISD also imposed a two-year restriction order under the Internal Security Act on two other Singaporeans: Unaccredited religious teacher Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and his student, Muhammad Thahir bin Shaik Dawood, 27, for their involvement with Muslim radicals.
Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister, said: "Mohd Anwar Jailani's case has shown that attention must be paid to religious teachers who preach and instruct others. Muis will also explore other ways to ensure that religious institutions do not engage or allow unaccredited individuals to conduct religious activities."
Currently, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) requires Islamic religious teachers, or asatizah, to be registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) before they can preach in mosques or teach in madrasahs. About 1,200 asatizah have been registered under ARS since it was implemented in 2005.
He added that policing the Internet would be "futile", as there were already several thousand radical sites and the number was growing.
Mr Wong said: "If we bring down one website, it can easily resurface under another name or in another jurisdiction. To be effective, we would not only have to block terrorist websites, but also popular social networking platforms like YouTube and Facebook, which would clearly not be practicable.
"The same Internet that empowers ordinary individuals unfortunately also serves radicals."
While the security agencies here continued to remain vigilant, it was possible that some self-radicalised individuals may have passed through unnoticed.
So, he said, Singaporeans must be alert to heed warning signs. He said the families of Muhammad Fadil and Muhammad Thahir had told people close to them they were interested in militant jihad, and these people had noticed that they were surfing radical websites.
Yet, their families brushed this aside and failed to inform the authorities.
Mr Wong said that they should not see this as betraying their family members, as early intervention was the best remedy to fight radicalisation.
He added that reporting on the warning signs was a necessary first step towards countering radicalisation and assured Singaporeans no further action would be taken if it turned out to be a false alarm.
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Berita Harian - Tackle Deviant Ideology with Religious Enlightenment
16 July 2010
Translation
(Maarof Salleh’s Commentary)
The recent announcement about a self-radicalised Malay man detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and two others placed on Restriction Orders (RO) had invited various reactions from the Malay/Muslim community.
Some had gone overboard to the extent that they were censured by Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim himself.
The Malay/Muslim community in general is concerned that radical ideology continues to have a hold on some of the youths despite efforts by the Government, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) and others to curb its spread.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education and Home Affairs) Masagos Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad, meanwhile, said the existing system was still not foolproof. He, nevertheless, underlined that despite the efforts by the Government and institutions such as MUIS, it was ultimately up to the individual to protect himself against the influence of radical ideology.
His comment had several underlying meanings:
Firstly, the onus is on the individual to make the right choices in his life so he is not susceptible to undesirable elements.
Secondly, it is important for the community to take a positive approach in reaching out to the younger generation and trust them to be responsible for their actions.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
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The Straits Times - Don't dismiss any sign of self-radicalism
12 July 2010
By Maria Almenoar
FAMILY members need to watch for telltale signs of self-radicalisation within their own family unit.
They should take these signs seriously and not pass them off as jokes, and report them to the relevant authorities such as the police and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng yesterday.
He was speaking to reporters after the launch of a block of studio flats in Bishan for the elderly. The block is equipped with elderly-friendly features such as an emergency alarm in the units, ramps and handrails along corridors.
DPM Wong's comments about terrorism and self-radicalisation come about a week after it was reported that full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid will be detained for two years under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Fadil had surfed the Internet for jihadist propaganda and had made contact with a known radical.
Several other ministers had also spoken about the detention, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, as well as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.
DPM Teo said that while processes and security systems were in place to pick up threats and neutralise them, it was possible that people who are security threats will emerge from time to time.
Dr Yaacob noted that Muslims can turn to Muis, the Mufti's office and registered religious teachers for advice or to report those who stray from the path.
Yesterday, DPM Wong said that while nobody may know if a self-radicalised individual has gone on the Internet and learnt 'wrong things', they may show telltale signs to family members.
This includes talking about their frustrations or their plans about what they want to do.
He pointed out that this had happened in a few cases here. 'So for the few cases that we know now, really the family members knew. They may not know the real intent but hearing comments from those individuals of their family, they should be wondering why do they say such things?' DPM Wong said.
'But for some of these family members, they treat it as a joke or they don't take it seriously and therefore the individuals continue in that kind of behaviour.' He said the sooner that these individuals are helped, the less likely they will be to cause harm to the country.
He urged all Singaporeans to take note of this and help themselves and the Government to defend against any threat others might pose.
DPM Wong said that he will say more about Fadil's case in the next Parliament sitting next Monday, as some Members of Parliament have tabled questions about it.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
The Straits Times - More can be done to fight radicalisation
12 July 2010
Explore more efforts to counter such ideology and reach out to youth
By Zakir Hussain
LAST week's announcement of security action against two young Singaporeans and an unregistered preacher who taught one of them has led to some discussion of the efforts the Muslim community has made to counter and debunk radical teachings.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it had detained full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20. He had made contact online with Yemen-based radical Anwar Al-Awlaki and an Al-Qaeda recruiter who encouraged him to fight in Afghanistan.
Fadil, said MHA, had begun avidly surfing the Internet in search of militant propaganda and videos while studying in a local polytechnic. He became convinced by ideologues like Awlaki that it was his religious duty to take up arms.
Two others were placed on Restriction Orders, which limit their activities for two years. One is freelance preacher Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, who distributed CDs of Awlaki's lectures and conducted religious classes, though his application for accreditation as a preacher was rejected by senior clerics last year.
The other is a student of his, Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27, who had gone to Yemen to seek out Awlaki. He enrolled in an institution run by an associate of Osama bin Laden, but failed to contact Awlaki, and had a change of heart.
Three questions arise from these cases.
ONE:
What is being done to counter the ideology that leads some youths to feel it is their religious obligation to take up arms? Are such efforts enough?
Efforts to counter radical thinking have been in place since the discovery in 2001 and 2002 that over 30 Singaporeans had been part of the Jemaah Islamiah terror network and that they had plotted terror attacks here.
Their leader was freelance preacher Ibrahim Maidin. Believing in a misguided interpretation of their religion, they sought to establish an Islamic state in the region by any means possible.
In 2003, a group of Islamic religious scholars and leaders formed the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) to study and rebut the beliefs of these detainees and to counsel them. Its work is still ongoing.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) also began accrediting religious teachers and encouraging the community to engage only endorsed teachers.
Beyond these steps, several religious leaders and groups have held public forums to warn the wider community of the fallacy of radical beliefs. Muis revamped its religious education curriculum to better engage a younger generation, and set up an online portal for young people to query religious teachers.
But such efforts can go only so far.
One new idea thrown up by a community leader who does not want to be named is that of a national council to prevent radicalisation. He suggests it could work like existing national councils on drug abuse and crime prevention, which focus on raising awareness of these issues.
There is a compelling case for more coordinated effort on this front.
In recent years, the trend of young people imbibing radical ideas through the Internet and print material, independently of recruitment by radical individuals, has become more pronounced worldwide.
This process of self-radicalisation has been aided by prolonged conflicts in the Middle East, which have been painted by ideologues as attacks on Islam, though the vast majority of victims of terrorism in the region are in fact Muslims.
Awlaki, who was born in the United States and lived there for many years, is appealing because he communicates in English, never mind that he blends a catchy style with flawed substance. His fiery speeches are interspersed with footage from conflicts and rousing soundtracks. They can be widely found on sites like YouTube where Fadil and many among his generation hang out.
Could Islamic religious leaders and youth work to produce and upload videos that challenge extremist material, mindful that style can be as important as substance in these matters?
For greater credibility, the videos could feature former radicals or ex-detainees speaking about their past errors and how they misunderstood Islam.
And why not throw in gory footage of civilian victims of terror attacks elsewhere to drive home the implications of what extremism leads to?
Distasteful as it may sound to some, the weaknesses and irreligious conduct of radicals should also be exposed.
For instance, American media reported in May that while an imam in San Diego, Awlaki was arrested twice - in 1996 and 1997 - for soliciting prostitutes. He was fined on both occasions.
TWO:
Can more be done to pre-empt unaccredited preachers and prevent them from spreading their ideas?
Muis' Asatizah Recognition Scheme ensures that only the qualified teach in mosques here.
In homes and certain organisations however, religious classes are not always taught by accredited teachers.
Some teachers fail to get accreditation because they lack the relevant training. Muis and the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) officials could help some of these to gain the necessary knowledge and later, accreditation.
As for those who cannot be accredited, for whatever reason, is enough being done to curb their reach, and indeed to rebut any extreme ideas they might have?
THREE:
Can more be done to ensure Singaporeans going abroad to study are not swayed by extremist views?
The vast majority of Islamic religious students attend universities like Al-Azhar in Cairo and elsewhere in the Middle East, which have taken a clear stand that extremism is against Islamic teachings.
The challenge, however, often derives from smaller institutions, or when students are influenced by other groups.
In the longer term, Muis and senior religious scholars should consider the possibility of a home-grown institution teaching Islamic theology at degree and diploma level.
This would lead to cost savings for aspiring religious teachers and minimise their exposure to radical influences.
It would also instil confidence among Muslims and others of Singapore's approach on such matters as the role of religion in a multireligious society and of Islam's incompatibility with extremism.
And it might help convince youths like Fadil that while they may be angry about conflicts elsewhere, killing innocents is plain wrong.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
TODAY - Report suspect behaviour, even if it's family, says DPM Wong
12 July 2010
by Zul Othman
SINGAPORE - The recent arrests of radicalised individuals under the Internal Security Act (ISA) has led to a call for members of the public to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
While Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said that the fight against terrorism needs complete vigilance from the community, families must also take the first step by reporting their kin if they detect any radical tendencies.
Speaking on the sidelines of a community event at Bishan yesterday, he said: "For the few cases that we know now, really, the family members knew. They may not know the real intent, but hearing comments from those individuals in the family, they should be wondering why do they say such things.
"For some of these family members, they treat it as a joke or they don't take it seriously and, therefore, the individual continued with the kind of conduct and behaviour that they did," added Mr Wong, who is also the Home Affairs Minister.
Mr Wong was referring to the latest action by the Internal Security Department (ISD) against three Singaporeans.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that full-time National Serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, had been detained for two years, from April 4.
Two others - unaccredited religious teacher Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and a small business owner, Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27 - were placed under restriction orders, also for two years.
Yesterday, DPM Wong said that while the security agencies here have taken many measures to prevent attacks, "we will always be faced with new threats (and) new imaginative methods by terrorists who may want to do harm to Singapore".
"Therefore, it's not just the Government or security agencies that will have to handle this ... we require complete vigilance as well as support in alerting the authorities".
If this is the case, DPM Wong said whoever hears of such extremist comments should report it to the police, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) or whoever is in a position of responsibility so that help can be rendered to the suspected radicals.
Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan, however, wondered if the call to blow the whistle on suspected extremists might instead promote "a Big Brother-like state".
He said: "The challenge is determining who is an extremist. Vigilance is important but we don't want to encourage paranoia.
"I wonder if Singaporeans at large need guidance on how to sieve through remarks that are an expression of a viewpoint or something more sinister... the last thing we want to see are divisions between communities and families (because of this)."
Agreeing, risk consultant and Adjunct Research Associate with the Institute of Policy Studies, Mr Azhar Ghani, said family members should also engage suspected radical individuals to ascertain their true intentions.
Meanwhile, Mr Wong said he would be answering questions from Members of Parliament on the latest ISD arrests and the restriction orders when Parliament sits on July 19.
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TODAY - We must find a way to insulate ourselves from extremist influences
12 July 2010
Letter from Rhazaly Noentil
THANK you Assoc Professor Eugene K B Tan for your sincere commentary and analysis on the subject of radicalisation ("When violent extremism needs a measured response") published in Weekend Today, July 10.
It has always been my stand and strong belief that we as Singaporeans should not overreact each time such an incident surfaces. Prof Tan rightly pointed out that "managing the terrorism threat and responding to a terrorist attack is a national endeavour, not solely a Muslim concern". In other words, it is the duty or responsibility of all Singaporeans.
The Muslim community has tried its best to protect the religion from being hijacked by so-called "Islamic warriors". Since the day several of our own brothers walked down the "unholy" path four years ago (the first Jemaah Islamiyah arrests in Singapore), Muslim leaders and clerics here have worked the ground to ensure our communal peace was not threatened. With news of the latest Internal Security Act detention, we are once again asking ourselves, "What went wrong?".
The Muslim community must go on the offensive to challenge the ideas and values propagated by persons like Anwar Al Awlaki and Sheikh Feiz Muhammad. Seminars, workshops and talks should be stepped up in mosques and madrasahs, as well as in schools, polytechnics and universities. Such programmes can also be held at community clubs under the banner of the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCC) to help educate and inculcate the right values of Islam among Muslims here.
As Prof Tan wrote: "This contestation of ideas is crucial as part of the process of persuasion. After all, local Muslims are not divorced from the conflict and violence involving ummah, and the issues affecting the community of believers globally."
We must continue to strive to find the right formula to insulate ourselves from the political and psychological influences of those like Al Awlaki and Feiz Muhammad.
This, I feel, can only be done through more "meet-the-people" styled sessions. The questions facing the Muslims, especially youth, have neither simple answers nor are the problems amenable to palliative solutions.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
Lianhe Zaobao - WongKan Seng: Community and families should always be vigilant to prevent self-radicalisation from taking root
12 July 2010
Translation
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng stressed yesterday that it is of vital importance that the community and families should always be vigilant to prevent radicalisation from taking root. Mr Wong said this in response to the detention of a self-radicalised Muslim national serviceman by the Internal Security Department.
Speaking to reporters after the launch of Golden Jasmine studio apartment in Bishan, Mr Wong reiterated that the community and family have a critical role to play in preventing family members from being self-radicalised.
Citing the few known cases, Mr Wong said while nobody may know if self-radicalised individuals have learned wrong information from the Internet, they may show tell-tale signs of their plans to launch terrorist attacks.
Such radical individuals may share with their family members or friends about their frustrations, unhappiness or plans of what they want to do.
"Only family members knew what is happening. They may not know the real intent, but hearing comments from these individuals in the family, they should be wondering why do they say such things."
Mr Wong said some of the family members treat it as a joke and do not take it seriously; and therefore the individuals continued with the kind of conduct and behaviour.
Hence, Mr Wong urged whoever hears of such extremist comments to report to the police or the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. He also encouraged parents to show more concern for the youths and take note of their abnormal behaviour so as to help the self-radicals get proper guidance and return to the right path.
Mr Wong reminded Singaporeans of the security threats that the country faces. He said Singapore not only needs new measures to cope with terrorism but also the people's co-operation because it is inadequate to just rely on the Government or security agencies to handle any security threats.
He said he would reveal more details and answer questions from Members of Parliament in the next Parliament sitting on Jul 19.
Click on the link below to view the Lianhe Zaobao article
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Tamil Murasu - Community, family vigilance critical
12 July 2010
Translation (Summary)
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng yesterday said the community and family have a critical role to play in preventing individuals from being self-radicalised. Reporters at a community event questioned the DPM about the news - pertaining to ISD’s action against three people - published last week.
“The job of detecting individuals who feed on content from websites and end up becoming security threats does not lie with the government or agencies alone. The community must also be vigilant”, said Mr Wong.
“Families need to be alert, especially when members reveal what they intend to do. While it is difficult to detect self-radicalised individuals, there are tell-tale signs. For the few cases that we knew, the family members really knew. Some family members treat it as a joke or they do not take it seriously, and therefore the individual’s conduct and behaviour continues. So, that is an important matter for family members to take note. And it is not enough just to take note; families should also report the cases and seek help”, elaborated Mr Wong.
Mr Wong made these comments following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ announcement last week about the detention of 20-year-old National Serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid and the issuance of Restriction Orders for two others.
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The Straits Times - Why ISD detains some, not others
11 July 2010
MHA explains why not everyone with radical bent is placed under restriction or detained
The national serviceman was detained for two years, but two others were placed under Restriction Orders.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) explained why different approaches were used to deal with those influenced by jihadism.
It depends, its spokesman said, on the individual's level of radicalisation at the time of the investigation.
Not everyone with a radical bent is detained or has a Restriction Order placed on them.
'There have been a number of cases in the past where individuals were in the early stages of jihadist radicalisation,' he said, without naming them.
'As they were in the nascent stages, they did not then pose a threat to the extent that warranted them to be placed in detention or be issued with Restriction Orders.'
Under a Restriction Order, they must abide by conditions such as not changing jobs or leaving Singapore without the approval of the director of the Internal Security Department (ISD).
Instead, they are referred for religious counselling to 'correct their erroneous understanding of the religion'.
But for this to happen, the authorities must be alerted early.
'When one detects a change in someone they know - be it relative or friend - who shows signs of subscribing to radical beliefs, one must have the moral courage and initiative to report that relative or friend to the authorities,' said the spokesman.
They could report to, for instance, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) or the ISD, he added.
If an individual is brought to their attention early, there is a better chance that he has not been radicalised yet to the extent that warrants detention or a Restriction Order, the spokesman said.
In the latest case, 20-year-old national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid began surfing the Internet for jihadist propaganda while studying in a local polytechnic. He later made contact online with a known radical and an Al-Qaeda recruiter who encouraged him to fight in Afghanistan.
The other two Singaporeans placed on Restriction Orders were self-taught religious teacher Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and his student, Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27.
The spokesman called for 'prompt' action from members of the public if they become aware of anyone who is inclined towards radicalism.
Family and friends have an important responsibility in alerting the authorities early.
'Their prompt action, or inaction, can make a significant difference to the life of someone close to them,' said the spokesman.
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The Straits Times - System in place to guide Muslims
11 July 2010
Mufti office, Muis and registered religious teachers available for advice, says Yaacob
By Yen Feng
Some want the accreditation of Muslim religious teachers enforced. Others have called for a 'white list' of foreign institutions where Singaporean Muslims can study.
But Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim suggested the community make better use of what he called the three focal points: the office of the Mufti, registered religious teachers, and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).
Muslims can turn to them for religious advice or to report those who stray from the path, said Dr Yaacob, making his first comments on an Internal Security Department (ISD) swoop on Muslim radicals reported last Tuesday.
He said: 'This is a sound system. We can always improve on it, but if the public doesn't make use of it, there's nothing much we can do.'
Full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, who was detained for two years, contacted radical Muslim cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki over the Internet and expressed a desire to join militant jihad overseas.
Another two, Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, a self-taught religious teacher, and Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27, were placed on Restriction Orders for two years.
The Home Affairs Ministry said Fadil was the sixth Singaporean to be self-radicalised. There are now 14 persons in detention and 48 on Restriction Orders.
Dr Yaacob, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a charity event at Joo Chiat's Khalid Mosque, said: 'It's important not to overreact but we must react - in a decisive, rational, calm manner. We have to make sure this does not happen again. This was one case too many.'
He did not think stricter controls on the Internet would help. 'It's a marketplace. It's very difficult for us to regulate the marketplace. The Internet is the wild, wild West.'
Instead, Dr Yaacob said the way ahead was to engage Internet users through religious education programmes, which, since the Sept 11 attacks on the US, have been revamped to attract the young. One of them is Invoke.sg, an online social portal that allows users to post questions about Islam. The site is moderated by local religious teachers.
To calls for enforcement of registration of clerics, he said such suggestions would have to be studied carefully because of the long-term impact. There are about 1,200 religious teachers now registered under Muis' Asatizah Recognition Scheme.
As for whether a 'white list' of approved schools might be put together by Muis, Dr Yaacob said it would be 'too onerous' to assess all schools individually.
'So, I think the most important thing is to get students to come and approach Muis. Any plans you have, come.'
The ISD swoop was a subject which also surfaced at a dialogue session held at Nanyang Polytechnic later in the day.
Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education Grace Fu said those who had 'gone a step further' had to be taken in by the authorities to 'make them safe again for society'.
Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan, however, wondered if the call to report those with extremist tendencies might cause them to retreat further into their enclaves, making them harder to reach.
'As a first step, it may be more effective for the people around that person to reach out to him.'
This was a point made also by Foreign Minister George Yeo, who spoke to reporters after a dialogue session at the YMCA in Orchard Road yesterday.
He said: 'You cannot combat this problem just through policing, just through arresting particular individuals.
'The critical role is within the Muslim community.
'In the end, this is a perversion of religious beliefs... And that has got to be combated.
'The bad cells masquerade as good cells. It's for the good cells to identify the bad cells and contain them.'
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Lianhe Zaobao - Yaacob: Do not overreact to detention of radical Muslim NSman
11 July 2010
Translation
Commenting for the first time on the Internal Security Department's recent detention of a self-radicalised Malay national serviceman (NSF), Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim emphasised yesterday that people should not overreact.
Dr Yaacob, who is also the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a charity event at Joo Chiat's Khalid Mosque. He added that the expression of support for religious harmony by leaders of major local religions at a time when Islamic leaders are concerned about the recent detention showed that religious leaders have what it takes to cope with challenges.
George Yeo: Muslim community's "immunity" is the key
Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo said at another event yesterday that the local Muslim community's "immunity" to radicalisation is the key to combating this problem. He felt that Islamic leaders need to seek out the problem and remedy it or arrest an issue before it materialises.
On the sideline of a dialogue session held jointly by the YMCA and grassroots organisations in the constituency, Mr Yeo told reporters that the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) is aware of its responsibilities to ensure that mosques disseminate the right teachings and to correct religiously deviant behaviour.
Mr Yeo did not think that the recent arrest of one self-radicalised Muslim youth and placement of two others on Restriction Orders are an indication that the problem of self-radicalisation among local youths is expanding. He said that Singapore needs to boost its immunity to radicalisation, adding that such immunity among the Muslim community is a crucial and decisive force. While long-term efforts are required, Mr Yeo held that Singapore has done well so far.
In his advice against overreaction, Dr Yaacob said that new challenges thrown up by an issue require new responses and necessary adjustments. Calling the recent incident "one case too many", he mentioned the need to ensure that such an incident will not recur. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that nobody can guarantee this.
While the arrest of self-radicalised NSF Muhammad Fadil bin Abdul Hamid has once again shed light on the dangers posed by the Internet, Dr Yaacob held that the Internet is one "wild, wild West" that is difficult to regulate. Instead, he urged the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and the Muslim community to continue to organise new activities and programmes to attract the young. To ensure that the young get to learn the correct Islamic teachings, Muis has conducted, at 37 mosques, part-time Islamic education courses catering to different age groups. It has also made available on its website the details of 1,200 accredited Islamic clerics to facilitate verification purposes.
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Tamil Murasu - Dr Yaacob on ISA detention: Be rational, calm and decisive but don’t over-react
11 July 2010
Translation (Summary)
There is a sound system in Singapore to prevent Muslims here from becoming radicalised. Its is based on three focal points, namely, the office of the Mufti, (registered) religious leaders and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). Muslims can turn to them for religious advice or to report those who stray from the path, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.
He made his first comments concerning the three Muslims who were recently dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA). A full-time national serviceman was detained while two others were issued Restriction Orders under the ISA.
Singapore Muslim leaders expressed concern when the news broke out last Tuesday. However, they and the leaders of other faiths expressed their support for inter-religious ties.
Dr Yaacob cautioned against over-reacting over the arrests. He further pointed out that religious leaders have expressed their opinions on how to address such challenges.
“It is important not to overreact but we must react. We must react in a decisive, rational and calm manner. We have to make sure this does not happen again,” said Dr Yaacob, who was speaking at a mosque fund-raising event for the President’s Star Charity.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said that Muhammad Fadil, who has been detained under the ISA, is the sixth Singaporean to be self-radicalised. Muhammad Anwar and Muhammad Thahir have been issued Restriction Orders.
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TODAY - When violent extremism needs a measured response
10 July 2010
To overreact would be to undermine trust between communities
by Eugene K B Tan
Self-radicalisation features prominently in media reports of this week's announcement of the detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) of a full-time National Serviceman for planning to "undertake militant jihad overseas" in places like Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq. Restriction orders were also imposed on an unaccredited religious teacher and his student for engaging in similar activities.
Self-radicalisation, however, is not an accurate description in that it creates the notion that a person could unilaterally and remotely "radicalise" himself.
It also misleadingly directs the focus almost exclusively on external developments and influences - particularly the frustrations and grievances of the ummah (global Muslim community) - likely involved in the radicalisation process.
The problem is, this understates the reality that radicalisation is a complex process requiring an agent (a source of influence) and a context (the environment and circumstances).
In all three ISA cases made public this week, the agents or primary sources of influence were radical ideologues such as Anwar Al Awlaki and Sheikh Feiz Muhammad. Given that there was no direct contact between the radical ideologues and two of the men, the radicalisation conduit was primarily the Internet and compact discs containing audio recordings of Al Awlaki's lectures. In the NSF's case, he'd made online contact with Al Awlaki after listening to radical lectures on the Web.
The context of radicalisation is more complex, since we are not certain about the conditions that make violent jihad attractive to some people.
Violent radicals can be anybody given that they have no fixed profile. A common theme that can be discerned from the Ministry of Home Affair's press statement was the three individuals' conviction that it was their religious duty to undertake armed jihad and seek religious martyrdom.
Self-radicalisation may also give rise to the mistaken view that to counter this threat, members of the target religious community can simply be immunised against violent, extremist viewpoints and worldviews.
What should our society's response be?
AVOID ALARMISM
First, the Government and Singaporeans should not overreact.
To be sure, these are matters of deep concern. But to overreact would be to undermine the trust between communities that has been engendered over the years. We must not impute the acts of a few who are misled to the community at large. To do so would be unnecessarily alarmist, and give rise to an antagonistic posture between communities.
In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean's assurance that "there will be no change in the deployment of personnel in the SAF" is timely. The integration of the Muslims in the Singapore Armed Forces must proceed; otherwise, we would be treating Muslim-Singaporeans not as citizens but as a community "at risk".
This only exaggerates the latent perception of Muslim-Singaporeans as being particularly susceptible to violent radicalism. This only raises the stakes and takes us away from the imperative of a calibrated response and meaningful inter-faith engagement.
Second, avoid spotlighting the Muslim community or putting it on the defensive.
Managing the terrorism threat and responding to a terrorist attack is a national endeavour, not solely a Muslim concern.
Given that our policymakers have described Singapore as an "iconic target" for terrorists, social cohesion and resilience are critical resources in ensuring that Singapore does not implode in the aftermath of a terrorist strike.
Third, we should be mindful that vigilance - while necessary - should not result in excessive policing and surveillance.
Ring-fencing the heart and soul of Singaporean society cannot be just a hard-nosed security exercise, for that only generates suspicions between communities.
CHALLENGE IDEAS INSTEAD
Fourth, by their very nature, religiously-inspired ideas and values cannot be countered by policing, draconian laws and coercive rhetoric. Given their powerful appeal to the faithful, the better strategy is to challenge those ideas and values head on.
This contestation of ideas is crucial as part of the process of persuasion. After all, local Muslims are not divorced from the conflict and violence involving the ummah, and the issues affecting the community of believers globally.
Overall, social cohesion requires the equally important vanguard action of strengthening Singaporean society that terror entrepreneurs seek to fragment, if not to impose their nihilism.
Coupled with the revivalism tendencies in all major faiths, the mindset and action of each of us matters since the cohesion and resilience of our society cannot be imposed by the Government - but must grow organically in our hearts and minds.
The writer is assistant professor of law at the School of Law, Singapore Management University. His research in 2006-2007 on Singapore's public policy responses to the terrorism threat was supported by the United States National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.
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NATIONAL SERVICEMAN'S TERROR BID
The Straits Times - Muslim leaders must do more
09 July 2010
I WAS dismayed by Wednesday's front-page report ('National serviceman detained under ISA') which described how a fellow 20-year-old Muslim full-time national serviceman (NSF), Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, was detained for contacting a jihadist group to embark on armed terrorist activities abroad.
The NSF could have a good and fulfilling life and it is unfortunate that he has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Fadil's act confirms that no one is impervious to the scourge of terrorism.
His detention also raises the question of a shortcoming, or perhaps a lack of effort, on the part of the Muslim community in tackling the tentacles of terrorism.
Officials of religious institutions such as mosque leaders must play their part to combat deviant and radicalised teachings.
Networks propagating moderation and inclusiveness must be built from within the Muslim community in collaboration with others as a base against extremism.
The overall emphasis on moderation and tolerance must be increased to create a safety net that will help prevent similar incidents from recurring.
I certainly hope Muslim community leaders, together with the community at large, can draw lessons from this regrettable episode and take immediate steps to bolster our collective resolve to counter Singapore's common enemy: terrorism.
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The Straits Times - Arrests show ISD is proactive, alert
09 July 2010
THE report on Wednesday, 'National serviceman detained under ISA', shows that the Internal Security Department (ISD) is proactive and alert to subversive activities in Singapore, whether involving individuals or groups.
The arrest and detention of Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, a full-time national serviceman in the Singapore Armed Forces, under the Internal Security Act (ISA), and two-year Restriction Orders placed on two other Singaporeans - Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27 - should not be a fear factor for Singaporeans. Instead, they should be elated and made confident by these arrests.
What is of paramount importance and heartening in the arrests of the trio under the ISA, is that they acted of their own volition without any support from the local Malay and Muslim community. Thus, it is clear the three individuals were aware that they would not have got any support from the local community in assisting them to espouse jihad and mayhem in Singapore.
To this end, Fadil had to seek the diabolical counsel and guidance of foreigners like radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and Sheikh Feiz Muhammad. It therefore follows that no fingers should be pointed at our local Malay and Muslim community because of the individualism of the trio.
The arrests of the three individuals under the ISA depicts the resolute and unceasing vigilance of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies in keeping Singapore safe and secure. It also shows that the ISD's radar unceasingly scans the horizon to track and identify groups or individuals out to destroy the fabric of racial and religious harmony here. This is indeed commendable.
In the same vein, every Singaporean should never forget that he has a sacred obligation to act as the eyes and ears of the relevant authority in the maintenance of safety and security in Singapore.
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Berita Harian - Scheme Lists Credible Asatizah
09 July 2010
Translation
(The emergence of the self-radicalisation case involving three Singaporeans – one detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the other two placed on Restriction Orders (R) - has prompted the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) to step up its efforts to counter the terrorism scourge. The following are three initiates undertaken by MUIS to ensure that the Singapore Muslim community receive the true teachings of Islam. SHAMSUL JANGARODIN reports.)
The Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) was introduced by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) in 2006 to provide the local Muslim community with a list of credible asatizah who could provide reliable religious knowledge and guidance.
The scheme that was jointly administered by the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) has, to date, accredited some 1,200 asatizah.
Among other things, the ARS was introduced to enhance the public standing of our asatizah and to serve as a reliable reference guide for members of the Singapore Muslim community.
The scheme applies to all Islamic religious teachers in Singapore who are known as ‘ustaz’ or ‘ustazah’, and was implemented to ensure that the asatizah’s knowledge on Islam could be verified and approved by an authorisation body known as the Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB).
The ARB comprises several senior asatizah and chaired by Khadijah Mosque chairman Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed.
Accreditation is granted only to qualified asatizah and scholars who meet the minimum standards of qualification to preach and teach Islamic religious knowledge at madrasahs, mosques, private institutions, Malay/Muslim organisations or residences in Singapore.
The scheme also provides asatizah with the opportunity to upgrade themselves through training and development programmes so that they remain relevant when facing contemporary demands and challenges. A special training programme would also be designed for would-be asatizah or those whose applications were unsuccessful due to insufficient criteria.
The overall directions of the ARS will be fully provided by the ARB, whose responsibilities include approving all nominations or applications as well as overseeing the professional conduct of all approved asatizah in the performance of their teachings and religious services to the community.
Meanwhile, an Appeal Panel (AP) has also been set up to hear the disagreements of the applicants with regard to the decisions of the ARB.
The AP comprises Singapore Mufti, who is also chairman of the AP; Syariah Court Senior President; and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) Registrar.
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Berita Harian - Curriculum prepares Youths to counter Radical Ideology
09 July 2010
Translation
(Arrest of NSF under ISA)
Strengthening the religious foundation of youths to enable them to counter radical ideology is one of the objectives incorporated into the curriculum of part-time religious classes run by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) at 37 mosques and education centres throughout Singapore.
Named aL.I.V.E (Learning Islamic Values Everyday), the curriculum teaches and strengthens the Islamic religious foundation of Muslims of different age groups through interaction with a trained facilitator.
This measure will hopefully equip students with knowledge that would help them to distinguish the good from the bad and resist any radical ideology, should they come across any.
The aL.I.V.E curriculum is tailored for Muslim youths between the ages of 5 to 25.
It is divided into four categories depending on age – Kids aL.I.V.E, Tweens aL.I.V.E, Teens aL.I.V.E and Youth aL.I.V.E.
The Kids aL.I.V.E programme is tailored for children between the ages of five to eight and aims to deliver Islamic teachings in a fun manner that would stimulate their minds.
The Tweens aL.I.V.E programme, on the other hand, is meant for children between nine to 12 years of age. It teaches Islam through the finding and executing approach to heighten their understanding of Islam.
The Teens aL.I.V.E programme is tailored for teenagers between the ages of 13 to 16. Among the educational approaches in this programme include decision-making skills, communication skills and relationship building skills.
Meanwhile, Youth aL.I.V.E is targeted at Muslim youths at the post-secondary level and those up to the age of 25. It provides a platform for the group to discuss religious issues at a broader and more comprehensive level, where research and reading materials play a major role.
They are also instilled with leadership qualities to prepare them in becoming future leaders.
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Berita Harian - Training and life go on as per normal
09 July 2010
Translation
(Arrest of NSF under ISA)
There will be no change in the deployment of personnel in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean when responding to the question from the media on whether the detention of full-time national serviceman (NSF) Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two years beginning last April will raise questions about Malays in the SAF.
Asked if the incident came as a surprise to him, DPM Teo said from time to time, it is possible that people who are security threats will emerge. He added that Singapore is a multiracial and multi-religious society and the SAF is a microcosm of Singapore society at large.
“We have processes in place, security systems as part of the overall national system to pick up such threats and make sure that we can neutralise them,” he said.
According to him, the recent incident involved an NSF who was a trainee in the section leaders school.
DPM Teo said these when responding to questions from the media on the sidelines of a scholarship award ceremony at Orchard Hotel on Wednesday, a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the detention of Muhammad Fadil, 20, since Apr 4.
He also gave the assurance that the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will step up vigilance following the incident and will be working together with the other security agencies.
“We will make sure that we step up vigilance to identify any such possible security threats. But we are continuing to proceed with training. Life goes on as per normal in our units and we don’t expect any difference there,” he said.
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Berita Harian - Secretariat provides Guidance and Support for Students Overseas
07 July 2010
Translation
(Arrest of NSF under ISA)
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) established the Student Resource Development Secretariat (SRDS) in 2004 to give greater focus and attention to the management of Singapore students pursuing Islamic studies overseas.
Among other things, the secretariat provides overseas students with comprehensive support programmes and helps them feel connected to one another and to Singapore.
It conducts pre-departure orientation programme, vacation programme, Singapore seminars as well as engagement sessions with overseas students to keep them connected to Singapore’s development and ensure that they are kept abreast of progressive religious thinking and contemporary issues.
The secretariat has, hitherto, organised seven runs of pre-departure programmes and conducted personalized and group consultation to 400 students and parents. It also provides academic counselling and relevant information to students on choices of institutions for their area of studies.
Thanks to its database of Singapore students overseas, the SRDS is in a very good position to give advice and counselling to students and their parents before a decision is made to enrol for overseas studies.
MUIS has also been tasked to issue “Letters of No Objection” in countries which require prospective students to produce one before they are allowed to study.
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Berita Harian - Train SAF to detect early warning indicators of Religious Extremism among National Servicemen
09 July 2010
Translation
(Arrest of NSF under ISA)
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) commanders need to be trained to detect early warning signs of religious extremism among its national servicemen (NSF) as well as full-time staff.
The matter was highlighted by Associate Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), following the press release of the detention of NSF Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Wednesday.
“The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) that has been helping to provide counselling to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) detainees and their family members for many years is one excellent source of reference. RRG counsellors are trained and even have a very useful website.
“RRG can guide military officers to detect the early warning indicators of religious extremism,” he added.
Meanwhile, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) head Professor Rohan Gunaratna said that US-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki is capable of psyching anyone who is susceptible.
Muhammad Fadil and the two placed on Restriction Orders (RO) – Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27 – were found to have been taken in by Anwar al-Awlaki’s radical ideas and calls for militant jihad via radical websites and CDs containing his sermons espousing violence. Hence, Rohan emphasised that it is crucial for Muslim institutions and leaders to step up their efforts to counter extremist teachings and raise public awareness of the threat that Anwar al-Awlaki poses.
He also called on Muslim leaders to, among other things, leverage on Information Technology (IT) and the Internet to dispute teachings by terrorist groups that extensively exploit cyberspace to spread their extremist ideology.
According to RRG co-chairman Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed, it was estimated that there are more than 100, 000 radical websites out there as compared to the less than 1,000 websites denouncing terrorism.
“RRG in Singapore has spearheaded the counter-terrorism effort by setting up its own website to reach out to more people. The RRG model is good and so is Ustaz Muhammad Haniff Hassan’s blog.
“I suggest that every Muslim leader create a blog or set up a website because if they don’t, these radical websites will have an impact on the local Muslim community,” said Professor Gunaratna.
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The Straits Times - DPM comments on detained NSF
08 July 2010
By Amanda Wong
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean has commented on the arrest of 20-year-old full time national serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid.
Fadil was detained under the Internal Security Act on April 4, 2010, after he became influenced by the teachings of radical clerics posted online.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said Fadil searched the Internet for jihadist propaganda and videos and became convinced that it was his religious duty to undertake armed jihad alongside fellow militants and strive for martyrdom.
He initiated communication with radical cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki and expressed a desire to undertake militant jihad in places like Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Fadil has been detained for two years under Singapore's Internal Security Act.
Check out RazorTV for what the DPM has said on the ISD detainee.
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The Straits Times - MUIS urges vigilance
08 July 2010
By Jeremy Au Yong & Rachel Lin
THE Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) will continually review its efforts to combat radical ideology as it views with 'deep concern' the recent discovery of three radicalised individuals.
The council also called on religious leaders, mosque leaders and parents to remain vigilant to the threat of self-radicalisation in the community. 'Parents and older adults can also show concern for our youth by detecting changes in behaviour and ensuring they get to the right sources of help and guidance, especially in times of personal crisis,' it said in a statement on Wednesday night.
The response comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that a full-time national serviceman had been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and two others placed on Restriction Orders.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, speaking to the media on the sidelines of a scholarship award ceremony on Wednesday night said the Singapore Armed Forces has 'processes in place, security systems as part of the overall national system to pick up such threats and make sure that we can neutralise them'.
Responding to a question on the roles of Malays in the SAF, he said: 'There will be no change in the deployment of personnel in the SAF. All three men served with ISA orders, Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27, had been influenced by the US-born radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
Muis' statement highlighted three programmes Singapore Muslims could tap on to help counter the spread of radical ideology.They are: its Asatizah Recognition Scheme, its part-time religious education classes, and its resource centre for students pursuing religious studies abroad.
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TODAY - Vigilance to be stepped up: DPM Teo
08 July 2010
by Zul Othman
SINGAPORE -Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has said that the Defence Ministry and the island's security agencies will work together to step up vigilance against possible security threats in the wake of the detention of full-time National Serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, under the Internal Security Act.
Speaking to reporters last night, Mr Teo, who is also the Defence Minister, noted that while Singapore has systems in place to pick out and neutralise threats, "from time to time, it is possible that people who are security threats will emerge".
"Mindef will be working together with the security agencies. We'll make sure that we step up vigilance to identify any such security threats. But we continue to proceed with training. Life goes on as normal in our units, and we don't expect any difference there," said Mr Teo, who was speaking on the sidelines of a Defence Science and Technology Agency-DSO National Laboratories scholarship award ceremony.
Mindef had said on Tuesday that Fadil was undergoing section leader training in Pasir Laba Camp at the time of his detention. He began searching for jihadist propaganda while he was in polytechnic.
Asked whether the incident had raised concerns about the deployment of Malays in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Minister said "there will be no change in the deployment of personnel".
The deployment of Malay-Muslims in the SAF had, in the past, been a talking point between political leaders and the community.
In 2003, then-Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong notably said that meritocracy is still the key principle held up by the SAF and so long as a serviceman is dedicated to Singapore and has the ability, his career will be based on qualification and merit.
He had noted the SAF was "a microcosm of Singapore society".
Yesterday, Mr Teo reaffirmed this policy.
He said: "Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society, and the SAF is a microcosm of Singapore's society at large. We have processes in place, security systems, as part of the overall national system to take up such threats and make sure we can neutralise them."
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TODAY - Muis cannot safeguard against militant influences on its own
08 July 2010
by Zul Othman
SINGAPORE - The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) signalled yesterday that it cannot safeguard against militant influences on its own. It called on Muslim Singaporeans - religious leaders, mosque leaders and parents - to bring to its attention any stray teachers they may encounter.
The importance of the community's role in guarding against self-radicalisation was flagged by Muis not only in the choices made about which teachers to engage for youth here, but also where parents send their children for religious education overseas.
This was the message, in Muis' first comments about the three individuals dealt with under the Internal Security Act, as the council also detailed the work it has done in Islamic education here.
A day earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that full-time National Serviceman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, had been detained for two years, from April 4, for expounding jihadist views and striving for martyrdom.
Two others, unaccredited religious teacher Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and a young business owner he had influenced, Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27, were placed under restriction orders, also for two years.
The former had distributed to students, contacts and members of the public numerous copies of CDs containing audio recordings of lectures by radical ideologue Al Awlaki.
In response to media queries, Muis issued a statement to express its "deep concern" about the cases as well as its appreciation of the support shown by other religious leaders.
"It is also incumbent upon members of the community to refer to Muis any individual who appears to espouse militant views in the name of Islam, so that Muis can intervene early and provide the necessary follow up and counselling," the statement added.
There are resources for "engaging and providing feedback" on religious teachers, said Muis. Currently, Islamic religious teachers are required to register under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) before they can preach in mosques or teach in madrasahs.
This list of 1,200 names is posted on the Muis website.
But are tougher measures needed to deal with deviant religious teachers?
Yes, said co-chairman of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) Ustaz Hasbi Hassan, because "deviant teachings lead to radicalisation, which affects everyone".
On its end, he said RRG is getting younger religious teachers to volunteer and engage younger Muslims "because they are easily influenced and they need guidance".
But it does not end there, another mosque leader told MediaCorp. "Parents definitely play an important part," said Ba'alwie Mosque chairman Mr Habib Hassan.
"In this case, it is all about asking the right questions to the right teachers ... but as we self-police ourselves, parents and guardians playing an important role in putting their children on the right path."
Indeed, Muis noted, "parents and older adults can also show concern for our youth by detecting changes in behaviour and ensuring they get to the right sources of help and guidance, especially in times of personal crisis".
Agreeing, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies senior analyst Mohd Feizal Mod Hassan said the community must realise that parental control is especially important with the Internet becoming a fertile recruitment ground for extremist sympathisers.
"We need to appreciate institutions like Muis or the police (when combating radicalism) ... these are channels parents can use to turn their young ones back to the fold," he said.
Muis said it started the aL.I.V.E.SG and INvoKe.SG websites to provide forums for Muslim youths to channel their curiosity on religious matters.
Muis also cited its Student Resource Development Secretariat, set up in 2004, which parents can contact for assistance on tertiary Islamic religious education abroad.
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Berita Harian - Efforts To Counter Radical Ideology Will Be Reviewed
08 July 2010
Translation
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is deeply concerned about the recent case of three self-radicalised Singaporean men and urges the Malay/Muslim community to remain constantly vigilant.
In a statement released yesterday, MUIS also gave its assurance that it would continue to review all its existing efforts to prevent a recurrence of such cases.
MUIS stated that it views with deep concern the latest discovery of three individuals who became radicalised through the Internet as well as videos and CDs of a foreign militant preacher.
As the case has proven that the threat of self-radicalisation in the community remains at a global level, MUIS has called on religious leaders, mosque leaders and parents to remain constantly vigilant.
In its statement, it also stressed that terrorism has nothing to do with the teachings of Islam.
“Violence and militancy have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. We must treasure and safeguard the strong foundation of mutual respect, peace and harmony in our multiracial and multi-religious nation.
“MUIS is grateful for the support expressed by fellow religious leaders,” said MUIS.
According to MUIS, the Singapore Muslim community can safeguard its well-being by continuing to make use of the assistance available for the community from MUIS – for engaging and providing feedback on religious teachers, for religious education classes and for sending students overseas for further religious education.
Parents and adults can also show their concern for the youths by detecting changes in behaviour and ensuring they get the right sources of help and guidance, especially in times of personal crisis.
“MUIS will review these efforts continuously so as to better benefit the community,” added MUIS.
In order to ensure that the local Muslim community receives proper religious education by accredited asatizah, MUIS has worked with the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers’ Association (PERGAS) to accredit 1,200 asatizah under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS).
MUIS and PERGAS have also been advising aspiring asatizah to upgrade themselves so that they can be accredited. MUIS will continue to work closely with PERGAS to ensure that capable asatizah are recognised and developed for the benefit of the community.
Besides that, the Muslim community is strongly urged to check the names of asatizah against the list of asatizah under the ARS to ensure that they receive religious education from qualified ones.
Members of the community are also advised to refer to MUIS any individual who appears to espouse militant views in the name of Islam, so that MUIS can intervene early and provide counselling if necessary.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
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Berita Harian - MUIS will continue to build Singapore Muslims’ Resilience
08 July 2010
Translation
(New Case on Radicalism)
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) will continue to build the Singapore Muslim community’s resilience and ensure its progressive practice of Islam in a bid to prevent the ideology that underpins radical and terror groups from permeating every level of society.
In terms of religious education, MUIS has implemented an updated Islamic education programme for the young in 37 mosques.
This age-appropriate curriculum will enable the young to understand the true Islamic teachings and help them discern and reject any radical interpretations, said MUIS in a statement yesterday.
MUIS will also continue to engage youths through various platforms and acknowledges that with easy access to the Internet, youths are exposed to the swamp of negative influences and radical ideology (from which a new generation of radicals can flourish).
The statement by MUIS came in the wake of the recent revelation of the three self-radicalised Muslim Singaporeans. One of them, a full-time national serviceman (NSF), is currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two years.
MUIS said it has established the Student Resource Development Secretariat (SRDS) in 2004 to strengthen its outreach to students wishing to pursue tertiary Islamic religious education abroad.
Through the SRDS, MUIS assists parents and students in making the right choices for educational institutions overseas.
The Malays/Muslims are strongly urged to avail themselves of these resources and the advice of MUIS counsellors if they intend to pursue religious courses overseas. This is to ensure that our students are rightly guided, supported and remain connected to Singapore’s development and contemporary issues.
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Bertia Harian - System not Foolproof
08 July 2010
Translation
(New Case on Radicalism)
The latest disclosure of radicalised Singaporeans shows that the existing system is not foolproof. Nevertheless, what is of greater importance is how Singapore can quickly learn from this episode and beef up its system.
In response to the three recent cases disclosed by the Government, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education and Home Affairs) Masagos Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad said that while the Government and institutions such as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) have worked hard to contain the threat, the onus eventually lies on the individuals to guard themselves from being influenced.
“If Singaporeans do not verify what they read or hear on the Internet with qualified and accredited religious teachers, they then run the risk of getting influenced by deviant teachings and becoming radical,” he said.
Masagos said that the families and friends of the individuals concerned also play a part in the efforts to curb radical influence and should report such matters to the authorities so that counselling can be provided.
He said this when Berita Harian asked for his comments regarding the case of a full-time national serviceman (NSF) who has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and two others who have been served with Restriction Orders (RO).
The NSF, Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, had aspired to undertake militant jihad overseas after being influenced by radical ideology on the Internet.
Meanwhile, one of the duo placed under RO is Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, an unaccredited religious teacher who had distributed to his students, contacts and the general public numerous copies of CDs containing audio recordings of religious talks espousing radical ideology.
Masagos maintained that radical individuals such as Anwar al-Awlaki, 39, exploit the Internet to spread a message of violence in various languages, including English, so as to gain a following, including Singapore Muslims who are also vulnerable to such influences.
Those without a solid foundation in their understanding of Islam and do not seek proper guidance from accredited religious teachers run the risk of being subverted by such violent ideology, he added.
“We need to meet this challenge head-on and diligently introduce moves to counter radical ideology,” said Masagos.
He also acknowledged that much more can be done including enhancing the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) and raising public awareness about ARS.
He highlighted that Singaporeans as a whole, including non-Muslims, are aware that the cases are not representative of the Malay/Muslim community and will not allow these cases to affect the social cohesion and trust that have long been enjoyed by multiracial Singapore.
Masagos reminded Singaporeans not to allow the cases to disrupt multiracial and multi-religious ties here.
“In this effort, parents, teachers as well as community leaders have a part to play in educating our children and youths,” he said.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
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Lianhe Zaobao - Muis urges Muslim leaders and parents to pre-empt radicalisation from taking roots in community
08 July 2010
Translation
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has urged Islamic religious teachers, mosque leaders and parents to remain vigilant against the threat of self-radicalisation in the community.
Commenting on the Government's Jul 6 announcement that a 20-year-old self-radicalised Malay full-time national serviceman had been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and two others placed on Restriction Orders (RO) for two years, Muis stressed that violence and militancy have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam.
It called on parents and older adults to show concern for our youth by detecting changes in behaviour and ensuring they get to the right sources of help and guidance, especially in times of personal crisis.
It also expressed deep concern with regard to the Internal Security Department's discovery of three Singaporeans who became radicalised through the Internet as well as videos of a foreign militant preacher.
It indicated that it has in place several programmes, such as accreditation of religious teachers and regulation of religious education. It said that these programmes would be reviewed and called upon the local Muslim community to continue to lend support to these programmes.
Under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme, Muis has worked with the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) to accredit 1,200 religious teachers and posted the names, qualifications and specialization of those accredited religious teachers on its website.
Muis has urged qualified religious teachers to give proper guidance on Islam. It also called upon members of the community to refer to Muis any individual who appears to espouse militant views in the name of Islam, so that Muis can intervene early and provide the necessary follow-up and counselling.
In order to help young people understand Islamic teachings correctly, Muis has been conducting classes at 37 mosques catering to young children aged between five and eight and also to young people who have completed secondary education.
In 2004, Muis set up a Secretariat to help students who intend to go overseas to pursue Islamic religious education. The Secretariat will maintain contact with them throughout their studies and after their return to Singapore.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement on Jul 6 announcing that the Government had invoked the ISA and detained Muhammad Fadil bin Abdul Hamid, a 20-year-old self-radicalised Malay full-time national serviceman, since 4 Apr 2010, and placed 44-year-old Muhammad Anwar Jailani and 27-year-old Muhammad Thahir bin Shaik Dawood on ROs for two years from Jun 23.
Muis reiterated that all must treasure the strong foundation of mutual respect, peace and harmony in our multiracial, multi-religious nation.
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Lianhe Zaobao - Teo Chee Hean, on detention of Muslim NSman: Existing processes serve to neutralise security threats
08 July 2010
Translation
Commenting last night on the detention of a self-radicalised Muslim national serviceman (NSman) under the Internal Security Act (ISA), Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said that Singapore is a multi-religious and multiracial society while the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is a microcosm of Singapore society at large. Hence, people who are security threats will emerge from time to time.
"We have in place processes and security systems as part of the overall national system to pick up and identify such security threats and make sure that we can neutralise them."
In a statement issued on July 6, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that Singapore had detained a Singaporean under the ISA and placed two others on Restriction Orders (RO) for two years.
The ISA detainee is Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, a 20-year-old self-radicalised Malay full-time NSman. He was undergoing section leader training in Pasir Laba Camp at the point of his arrest.
Fadil had gone online to search for information on bomb-making and also posted a self-made video glorifying martyrdom and justifying suicide bombing.
Speaking to reporters after the Defence Science and Technology Agency - DSO National Laboratories scholarship award ceremony, Mr Teo said the Defence Ministry will be working together with the security agencies and will make sure that they step up vigilance to identify any such possible security threats.
When asked whether Malays in the SAF will be affected by the incident, Mr Teo said that the SAF will continue to proceed with training and that there will be no change in the deployment of personnel in the SAF.
"Life goes on as normal in our units, and we don't expect any difference there."
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The Straits Times - National serviceman detained under ISA
07 July 2010
Two years' detention for 20-year-old who wanted to join militant jihad abroad
By Jeremy Au Yong
A SINGAPOREAN who made online contact with a suspected Al-Qaeda recruiter and wanted to embark on armed jihad overseas has been detained.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said yesterday that full-time national serviceman (NSF) Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid was arrested on April 4 and will be detained for two years under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Fadil began zealously surfing the Internet for jihadist propaganda and videos while studying in a local polytechnic - a course which he did not complete.
He later made contact online with a known radical, Anwar Al-Awlaki, and with an Al-Qaeda recruiter who encouraged him to fight in Afghanistan.
Yesterday, MHA said when Fadil contacted Awlaki online, he expressed a desire to fight alongside him, and to join in militant jihad overseas.
The 20-year-old NSF in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also searched for bomb-making information online, and posted a self-made video glorifying martyrdom and justifying suicide bombing. He was undergoing section leader training in SAF's Pasir Laba Camp when he was arrested.
Both MHA and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) yesterday took pains to point out that Fadil had no plans to undertake any jihad-related activities in Singapore.
'His intentions were to pursue such activities overseas in places like Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq,' MHA said.
Mindef stressed that there are appropriate security processes and systems at the national level to monitor and guard against potential security threats.
'Mindef/SAF is part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface,' it said.
Fadil was particularly influenced by the teachings of Awlaki, an English-speaking United States-born cleric who has been implicated by numerous terrorists arrested in America and Europe in recent years.
According to recent media reports, the Obama administration has authorised the killing of Awlaki, a move considered unusual since he is an American citizen.
MHA also said that two other Singaporeans, Muhammad Anwar Jailani and Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, were placed on Restriction Orders for two years.
While this does not amount to detention, the duo must abide by several conditions. For instance, they cannot change jobs, move or leave Singapore without the prior approval of the director of the Internal Security Department.
Like Fadil, both men had links to Awlaki.
Jailani, 44, had distributed copies of CDs containing audio recordings of the cleric's lectures. He worked as a religious teacher though he was not accredited by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. He had applied for accreditation but was rejected last year because he lacked formal religious qualifications.
Thahir, 27, was one of Jailani's students. He had gone to Yemen to seek out Awlaki with the intention of joining an armed jihad overseas. He also enrolled in an educational institution run by an associate of Osama bin Laden's. However, he failed to get in touch with Awlaki.
After some time in Yemen, Thahir had a change of heart about armed jihad. He came round to the view that there were other ways of doing jihad, like pursuing knowledge and performing good deeds. He also withdrew from the Yemeni educational institution.
Self-radicalised individuals like Fadil, who develop radical ideas without first being recruited by terrorists, have become a growing threat around the world. In Singapore, at least three others have previously been detained.
One of them, Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader, was detained in 2007 for preparing to engage in militant activities in Afghanistan. The former Raffles Institution and National Junior College student was released on a Suspension Direction in February this year. This means he remains subject to certain conditions.
Two others, Muhammad Zamri Abdullah and Maksham Mohd Shah, are still in detention.
MHA yesterday also announced the release, on a Suspension Direction, of Ibrahim Mohd Noor. He had been detained in 2007 for involvement in Jemaah Islamiah activities.
There are now 14 persons in detention, 48 on Restriction Orders and four on Suspension Directions, said MHA.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Home Affairs and Education) Masagos Zulkifli said the latest arrest serves as a reminder to Singaporeans to be on the lookout for potential radical behaviour.
'When your child has an affinity with this sort of thing, you must alert the authorities early. Even when they sound like they are joking about it, you must take it seriously,' he said.
To Associate Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, the fact that Fadil is a national serviceman meant there might be a need to develop 'greater sensitivity to early warning indicators of religious extremism'.
But he stressed that self-radicalisation could strike anyone, whether student, office worker or NSF.
'It really depends on the individual's state of mind at that point in time. There really is no fixed profile - which makes the national security problem very complex,' he said.
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The Straits Times - Mindef statement
07 July 2010
HERE is the full text of the Defence Ministry's (Mindef) reply to media questions on Fadil's national service (NS) status:
'Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, a self-radicalised individual, has been detained under the ISA. He was an NSF (full-time national service) trainee undergoing section leader training in Pasir Laba Camp at the point of his arrest. He attended but did not complete polytechnic prior to his enlistment for NS in Sept 2009.
'Investigations have shown that this case involves an individual who took the wrong path.
'At the national level, there are appropriate security processes and systems to monitor and guard against potential security threats. Mindef/SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) is part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface.'
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The Straits Times - Call for stricter guidelines for religious teachers
07 July 2010
By Rachel Lin
MUSLIM community leaders have called for existing registration guidelines for Islamic religious teachers to be tightened.
They want the guidelines to cover teachers who give lessons at home, and not just in mosques.
They also want only those with formal qualifications in Islamic knowledge to be allowed to teach.
Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim,
an Islamic scholar, said: 'If we really want to guide the teaching of Islam properly, we have to stop people from spreading deviant teachings in homes. There are a lot of people who teach at home and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) should have the power to restrict unaccredited teachers there.'
Currently, Muis requires Islamic religious teachers, or asatizah in Arabic, to be registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) before they can call themselves ustaz - or ustazah, for women - and preach in mosques or teach in madrasahs.
About 1,200 asatizah have been registered under the ARS since it came into being in 2005, according to Ustaz Hasbi Hassan, president of the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association which launched the ARS together with Muis. He declined to estimate the number of unregistered ones.
"Report those who preach violence'
Ustaz Ibrahim's call follows news that an unaccredited religious teacher, Muhammad Anwar Jailani, was placed under a Restriction Order by the Internal Security Department last month.
Jailani distributed to students, contacts and members of the public numerous copies of CDs containing audio recordings of lectures by a radical Muslim cleric urging Muslims to engage in militant jihad against non-Muslims and other 'enemies' of Islam, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Jailani had applied to be registered under the ARS last year, but was rejected because he lacked formal qualifications.
Maintaining that only those with formal religious qualifications should teach, Ustaz Ibrahim said: 'In earlier days, there was no formal religious education, but we had proper guidance from elders who had practical qualifications.
'Nowadays, some teachers don't have either, and try to create their own deviant teachings, follow what they think is right. That's why we need to tighten up a bit.'
Ustaz Hasbi
noted that the existing scheme lacks teeth.
'At the moment, we don't have enforcement powers,' he said.
'We do need the power to be able to enforce accreditation and we've voiced this concern before.'
Ustaz Hasbi is also co-chairman of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, which was set up in the wake of the Jemaah Islamiah arrests in 2001 and 2002 to counsel terror detainees.
Ustaz Mohammed Suhaimi Mohamed Fauzi, executive imam of the Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris
, also supported tougher regulations. 'We can't afford to make mistakes. People with radical ideologies could spread their opinions to the public.'
However, veteran mosque leader Rhazaly Noentil felt that it might not be practical to use the law to compel asatizah to register.
'Changing the law will be quite tedious,' he said. 'What is more important is to monitor those teachers who were originally rejected. Maybe guide them, counsel them, tell them which courses to take.'
Other Muslim leaders pointed to the need for more concerted community action.
Ustaz Mohd Feisal Hassan
, who is a member of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, said: 'We need to instil a sense of vigilance, rather than impose penalties.'
He noted that there was already available on the Muis website a list of which teachers have been accredited.
Ustazah Kamaliah Abdullah
, who teaches at several mosques, however, said that the local Muslim public was not sufficiently discriminating in their choice of teachers.
'People are not picking their teachers carefully,' she said. 'Once they like the teachings of someone, they don't care if the person is accredited. They don't bother to check.'
Ustaz Feisal said that channels exist for people to report teachers who spread inflammatory messages.
'They can go to Muis, the office of the Mufti, or the Asatizah Recognition Board which oversees the ARS,' he said. 'If they come across a teacher who is advocating violence, it should be a reflex action to turn to the authorities.'
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The Straits Times - 'Osama bin Laden' of the Internet
07 July 2010
ANWAR Al-Awlaki, 39, is a radical Muslim cleric who is one of the most-wanted men in the world.
Born in America but of Yemeni descent, he is in hiding in Yemen, where he had spent his teenage years.
He has become the foremost influence on young radical Muslims across the world through his English-language sermons delivered over the Internet, said a report in the British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, last month.
The British government recently warned that Awlaki has 'cemented his position as one of the leading English-speaking jihadi ideologues'.
His growing influence on jihadists was one of the factors that led to a raised terrorism alert level in Britain earlier this year.
The suicide bombers responsible for the attack on London's public transport system in July 2005 were his followers.
Three of the hijackers involved in the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in the United States were also influenced by his sermons.
More recently, Awlaki has been linked to Nidal Hassan, the US Army major accused of shooting dead 13 people at the Fort Hood army base in Texas in November last year. The two of them had e-mail exchanges prior to the shooting.
Awlaki is also suspected by US intelligence of having played a key role in a plot to blow up a passenger plane last Christmas Day.
He is believed to have put the bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, in touch with terrorist trainers.
Abdulmutallab attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear while on board a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, but was caught before he could do so.
Similarly, Faizal Shahzad, the man suspected of the Times Square car bombing attempt in New York in May this year, told interrogators that he was inspired by Awlaki.
Awlaki's use of the new media platform has led some people to describe him as the 'Bin Laden of the Internet'.
The other radical who influenced the latest ISA detainee was Sheikh Feiz Muhammad.
According to the NEFA Foundation, Feiz, an Australian citizen, has been labelled Australia's "most dangerous sheikh" due to his connections with terrorists.
'(Feiz's) target audience is young Muslims worldwide who feel disaffected and disassociated from local Muslim communities, where mosque clerics show a lack of interest towards the youth,' said the Foundation, a research organisation created after the terror attacks of Sept 11, 2001.
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TODAY - The virus that is Al Awlaki
07 July 2010
Self-radicalised Singaporean detained, two others on Restriction Orders
by Teo Xuanwei
SINGAPORE - He was just a teenager pursuing a diploma at a local polytechnic, when he started listening to lectures of radical ideologues online. Soon, Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid was avidly surfing the Internet in search of jihadist propaganda and videos.
Before long he became convinced that it was his religious duty to undertake armed jihad and strive for martyrdom. Fadil made contact online with a radical preacher, expressing his desire to fight in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. He even made contact online with a suspected Al Qaeda recruiter who encouraged him to fight in Afghanistan.
To prepare for militant jihad, Fadil went online to search for information on bomb-making and even posted a video glorifying martyrdom and justifying suicide bombing.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that Fadil was among three Singaporeans who have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The 20-year-old full-time National Serviceman in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) - believed to be the youngest to be held under the ISA - was detained for two years starting from April 4.
MHA's statement said two others, Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and Muhammad Thahir Shaik Dawood, 27, were placed on Restriction Orders for two years, starting June 23.
What linked the three men were their leanings towards the teachings of the radical Al Qaeda-linked preacher Anwar Al Awlaki, who is said to be connected to two of the 9/11 attackers.
Fadil was exposed to Al Awlaki when he was "avidly" searching for jihadist propaganda and videos online.
Thahir, meanwhile, learned about Al Awlaki through CDs containing recordings of his lectures which he had received from Jailani, an unaccredited religious teacher.
Jailani - whose application for accreditation under the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's Asatizah (religious teachers) Recognition Scheme was rejected last year because he lacked formal religious qualifications - had given out "numerous" such CDs to his students, contacts and the public.
Influenced by Al Awlaki's message, Fadil and Thahir became "deeply radicalised" and wanted to undertake armed jihad overseas.
Fadil became convinced that striving for martyrdom was his religious duty and told Al Awlaki he wanted to fight alongside him. Fadil "did not undertake nor did he have any plans to undertake jihadi-related activities in Singapore", said a MHA spokesman.
In response to media queries, a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) spokeswoman said Fadil, who enlisted last September, was undergoing section leader training in Pasir Laba Camp when he was arrested.
"Investigations have shown that this case involves an individual who took the wrong path," she said.
"At the national level, there are appropriate security processes and systems to monitor and guard against potential security threats. Mindef/SAF is part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface."
Thahir, who runs a small business, had travelled to Yemen and enrolled in an educational institution run by an associate of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Like Fadil, he had tried contacting Al Awlaki and other radicals.
However, he was unsuccessful and began to have doubts about undertaking armed jihad and came round to the view that there were other ways of doing jihad like pursuing knowledge and performing good deeds, said MHA.
After he withdrew from the Yemeni educational institution and returned home, he was investigated by the Internal Security Department.
Security experts told MediaCorp the latest arrests showed that the Internet is widening the reach of terrorist leaders. S Rajaratnam School of International Studies research analyst Nur Azlin Mohd Yasin said: "Online radicalisation is getting easier because the Internet offers interactivity in the form of forums and chatrooms. When people with similar views communicate with each other, it can potentially aggravate the angst they're already feeling."
Ustaz Firdaus Yahya, from the Darul Hufazz Quranic Centre
, said: "It's very sad there are still people who are misguided about how to show their love for Islam. They should increase their knowledge of what Islam really is, instead of listening to the teachings of bogus scholars who preach violence."
Agreeing, Mr Muhd Faiz, president of Darul Arqam or the Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore, said: "The Muslim community must rally together to self-police the propagation of such radical ideas." One way, he said, was to ensure better access to qualified religious teachers. The Muslim community should also watch out for tell-tale signs of radicalisation.
Meanwhile, a Jemaah Islamiyah member, Ibrahim Mohd Noor, was released on June 1, MHA said.
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TODAY - 'He must be neutralised'
07 July 2010
by Dr John Harisson & Kathryn Floyd
On April 10, President Barack Obama authorised the target killing of United States citizen Anwar Al Awlaki, the first time America has taken such action against one of its citizens. Who is this man and why is he deemed such a significant threat to the US and the wider Western world?
Born and educated in the US, the 39-year-old Yemeni Islamic "cleric" has been linked to terror plots in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom since his name surfaced following the 9/11 attacks. For an extremist who has become an Internet phenomenon, his origins are comparatively benign.
His family migrated to the US in the late '60s when his father was given a Fulbright Scholarship. The latter earned degrees in agricultural economics at the University of New Mexico, receiving his master's in 1971 - the year Al Awlaki was born. The family left in 1978 and his father joined the Yemeni government as Minister of Agriculture.
Al Awlaki returned to the US in 1991 to attend Colorado State University, getting his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1994. He was president of the Muslim Student Association, and travelled to Afghanistan in 1993 where he may have met with jihadists.
After graduation, Al Awlaki took a job at the Denver Islamic Society despite having no formal religious training. He migrated to San Diego to pursue a Masters in Educational Leadership - where he also spoke at the Masjid Ar Ribat Al Islami mosque and was vice-president of the Charitable Society for Social Welfare, a fundraising front for Islamic terrorist organisations.
NOTORIOUS FRIENDS
It was in San Diego that Al Awlaki first met future 9/11 hijackers Nawaf Al Hamzi and Khalid Al Mihdhar. US security services believe this was not a chance encounter, and that Al Awlaki might have been sent to California to spiritually support the hijackers.
In early 2001, he moved to the Washington DC area to preach at the Dar Al Hijrah mosque where both Al Hamzi and Hani Hanjour, another 9/11 hijacker, worshipped.
After a visit to Yemen, Al Awlaki returned to America in October 2002 when he met Ali Al Timimi - who was later convicted for raising the Virginia Jihad network - as well as Fort Hood shooter Major Nidal Malik Hasan. In short, by the close of 2002, Al Awlaki was directly connected to three 9/11 hijackers, another cell leader and a future lone-wolf terrorist - an interesting assortment of friends, one might say.
That year, he left for the United Kingdom and two years later, joined his family in Yemen. In 2006, the UK permanently banned his entry but he continued to address conferences by video. He was arrested in Yemen the same year for his involvement in the kidnapping of a Shia teenager, but his tribe arranged his release. Al Awlaki remains at large.
WHAT MAKES HIM DANGEROUS?
The keys to understanding Al Awlaki are in his exploitation of modern communications, prolific preaching and English language skills.
He has produced hundreds of audio, and some video, tapes covering a wide range of Islamic topics but primarily focusing on ideological justification of so-called jihadi terrorism.
Al Awlaki has been used for, or offered spiritual justification and guidance to, terrorist attacks and plots against Forts Dix and Hood in the US, the Toronto 18, and the 7/7 bombers in London, as well as the Christmas Day bomb and Times Square plot. The common threads in all these attacks are the language of the attackers - English - and the invocation of Al Awlaki's speeches and writings from his now-defunct website as well as his widely-distributed messages.
At the very least, he is the key inspirational figure for English-speaking "homegrown" radicals. He may even be a key commander in Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, though his operational role is disputed.
Unlike traditional terrorism, where the ideologue was a peripheral figure, for the new terrorism, ideas are the centre of gravity. The ability to link disparate individuals and cells, and channel their distorted faith and rage into action, poses a significant threat to the US, its friends and allies.
This new "bin Laden of the Internet" must be neutralised before he can inspire attacks similar to - or worse than - 9/11. Only his timely death can reduce that threat.
John Harrison is an Assistant Professor at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Head of Terrorism Research at the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. Kathryn Floyd is a PhD candidate at RSIS and covers the Middle East for ICPVTR.
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TODAY - Who is Anwar Al Awlaki?
07 July 2010
Armed with a blog, Facebook following and a collection of YouTube videos, Yemeni-American preacher Anwar Al Awlaki has been dubbed the "bin Laden of the Internet".
He also appears to be behind Al Qaeda's online English-language magazine, launched last week. It features tips on bomb-making, encryption for beginners as well as Al Qaeda propaganda and calls for violent jihad.
Born in New Mexico in 1971, Al Awlaki moved to his ancestral home of Yemen at the age of seven, where he received a basic Islamic education. He eventually returned to the United States.
He is closely linked to two of the 9/11 attackers - Khalid Al Mihdhar and Nawaf Al Hazmi - who worshipped at the mosque where he worked. A third attacker, Hani Hanjour, attended Al Awlaki's sermons. US investigators believe the preacher knew of the 9/11 plots in advance.
Al Awlaki returned to Yemen in 2004 but many of his sermons promoting violent jihad have been posted online.
He is believed to have inspired the individuals behind the November 2009 shooting at an army base in Fort Hood, Texas, as well as the 2009 attempt to blow up a US airliner bound for Detroit on Dec 25. AGENCIES
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Berita Harian - Malay/Muslim Leaders Disappointed
07 July 2010
Translation
(3 Influenced by Radical Ideology)
Malay/Muslim leaders yesterday registered their disappointment at the detection of three self-radicalised individuals and described the development as “shocking and as something that should not have happened.”
In their response to Berita Harian after news of the arrests was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) yesterday, several Malay/Muslim leaders underlined the need for more vigilant monitoring and more comprehensive guidance for the younger generation so that they will not step down the slippery road of supporting and being swayed by the swamp of radical ideas.
People’s Association Malay Activity Coordinating Council (MESRA) chairman Mustafa Abu Bakar said he was disappointed because the Government as well as the community have, hitherto, worked hard to prevent the recurrence of such an incident.
“This latest incident underlines the need for us to do more and not to take national security for granted.
“It has also made us more conscious of the weaknesses that require the attention of all, not just MUIS (the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) and asatizah,” he said.
His views were echoed by Marine Parade GRC MP Dr Fatimah Lateef.
According to her, even as MUIS reinforces its asatizah accreditation process, unaccredited asatizah should also be monitored more closely.
“It is also important for parents to communicate with their children so that they can tell if their children are behaving strangely and are aware of what is going on in their children’s lives,” she said.
Meanwhile, several Malay/Muslim leaders have also expressed disbelief over the re-emergence of the issue after laying dormant for quite some time.
PERTAPIS (Islamic Theological Association of Singapore) president Haji Husaini Abdullah, on the other hand, believed that there is a blessing behind what has taken place.
“I was taken aback because I felt that the issue has faded away, but, apparently, it still exists. This shows that we need to remain vigilant at all times,” he explained.
Echoing his view, LBKM (Prophet’s Birthday Memorial Scholarship Fund Board) president Haji Wan Hussin Zoohri said: “I thought this problem has been arrested by the Government. However, from what has happened, we now realise that the efforts to root out terrorism is a continuous process, as the problem can resurface at any time.”
Young Muslims in Singapore, he added, should be equipped with strong and rational religious foundation so that they would not be easily swayed by radical ideas.
MKAC Association president Ameerali Abdeali pointed out that Singaporeans should play a part in curtailing the propagation of radical ideologies.
“We should make conscious effort to ascertain that the asatizah teaching our children are accredited by MUIS. In addition to that, we should also monitor what is being taught to our children,” he added.
Hong Kah GRC MP Zaqy Mohamad, meanwhile, felt that the first thing that we should focus on is to guide our youths to the right path.
“Today’s youths travel extensively and can have access to information from various sources. Furthermore, the use of the Internet is something that cannot be controlled.
“Hence, it is important for parents to monitor the people whom their children get their information on Islam from,” maintained Zaqy.
Mindef and SAF will continue to maintain high degree of vigilance
(3 Influenced by Radical Ideology)
There are appropriate security processes and systems to monitor and guard against potential security threats at the national level, according to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in its statement yesterday to the media about the detention of self-radicalised NSF (full-time national service) trainee Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
“Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface,” said Mindef.
According to Mindef, Fadil, 20, was a full-time national service (NSF) trainee undergoing section leader training in Pasir Laba Camp at the point of his arrest on Apr 4,
Prior to his enlistment for NS last September, he attended polytechnic but did not complete his studies. Mindef said ‘investigations have shown that this case involves an individual who took the wrong path’.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
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Berita Harian - RRG steps up efforts to Counter Radical Ideology
07 July 2010
Translation
(3 Influenced by Radical Ideology)
The three self-radicalised individuals are not reflecting the true teachings of Islam. Thus, Muslims need to play a part in projecting Islam as a peace-loving religion.
This was stressed by Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) co-chairman Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed, who disclosed that RRG would continue to step up its education and outreach efforts to inoculate Muslim youths against radical ideology.
Saddened and shocked over the arrest of NSF (full-time national service) trainee Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, Ustaz Ali said: “A lot have been done, yet it happens again. That is a reality of life and it is impossible for us to eradicate it totally. However, we can prevent it and we need to do it vehemently.”
“This is where the RRG as well as the Singapore Muslim community in general can play their part. They should portray Islam’s true image as a religion that enjoins peace.”
When asked if he feared that radical ideology would win the minds of youths, Ustaz Ali said the influence of radical ideology knows no boundaries.
“Just about anybody can be influenced. The hardline groups are using sophisticated multimedia and technology. Hence, it is imperative for parents to monitor their children as they prowl around the dark alleys of the Internet so that they will be able to detect at an early stage if their children fall into the clutches of online radical ideas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers’ Association (PERGAS) president Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan urged the Muslim community to make a habit of checking the background of Islamic religious teachers to ensure that they are registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS). This is to stem the spread of radical ideology.
An unaccredited ‘ustaz’ was one of the two people placed on Restriction Order (RO).
Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi, who is also the co-chairman of RRG, also urged Muslims here to consult PERGAS should they know of any religious teachers with radical leanings. Besides that, they can refer to the list of more than 600 accredited asatizah on PERGAS’ website.
“Some religious teachers are not accredited because of their radical leanings,” said Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi.
He added that a number of local Muslims still choose to learn from unaccredited religious teachers because they are attracted by the style of preaching without giving due consideration to what is being preached. Some too tend to follow their teachers blindly.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
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Berita Harian - NS man detained for aspiring to undertake militant jihad overseas
07 July 2010
Translation
(3 Influenced by Radical Ideology)
A full-time national serviceman (NSF) influenced by radical ideas through the Internet and decided to undertake militant jihad overseas has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Two other Singaporeans, including an unaccredited ‘ustaz’, are placed on Restriction Orders (RO) for two years for involvement in the threat of radical ideology.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revealed yesterday that Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, 20, has been detained for two years since Apr 4.
The NSman in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) had begun avidly surfing the Internet in search of jihadist propaganda and videos when he was studying in a polytechnic.
Fadil did not complete his studies in the polytechnic and became deeply radicalised by the lectures of radical ideologues such as Anwar al-Awlaki and Sheikh Feiz Muhammad.
According to MHA, Fadil became convinced that it was his religious duty to undertake armed jihad alongside fellow militants and strive for martyrdom.
He initiated online communication with al-Awlaki, and expressed his desire to fight alongside al-Awlaki and his interest in travelling to places like Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan to undertake militant jihad.
Fadil went online in search of information on bomb-making, and produced and posted a video glorifying martyrdom and justifying suicide bombing.
MHA also disclosed that two other persons influenced by radical ideology were Muhammad Anwar Jailani, 44, and Muhammad Thahir bin Shaik Dawood, 27.
They have been placed on RO since Jun 23.
According to MHA, Anwar is an unaccredited religious teacher who had distributed to his students, contacts and the general public a numerous copies of CDs containing audio recordings of Anwar al-Awlaki’s lectures which called on Muslims to undertake militant jihad against non-Muslims and enemies of Islam.
Anwar had applied for accreditation under MUIS’ Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) but was rejected last year as he lacked formal religious qualifications.
Meanwhile, Thahir, who runs a small business, was one of Jailani’s students who became radicalised mainly through the latter’s influence.
Thahir had travelled to Yemen to enrol in an educational institution run by an associate of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. His attempts to seek out Anwar al-Awlaki and other radicals with a view to participating in armed jihad, however, were unsuccessful.
However, when he was in Yemen, Thahir began to have doubts about undertaking armed jihad, and came round to the view that there were other ways of performing jihad such as carrying out good deeds.
MHA also announced that Ibrahim Mohd Noor, a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network who was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), was released on a Suspension Direction (SD) on Jun 1.
He has shown positive development during rehabilitation and was assessed to no longer pose a security threat that required preventive detention.
In response to media queries on the detention of Muhammad Fadil, MHA spokesperson said that he did not undertake nor did he have any plans to undertake any jihadi-related activities in Singapore.
His intentions were to pursue such activities overseas.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
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Lianhe Zaobao - Self-radicalised Muslim NSman detained by ISD, two other Singaporeans served with Restriction Orders
07 July 2010
Translation
By Quek Lee Kiang
The Singapore Government has detained a 20-year-old self-radicalised Malay full-time national serviceman under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and placed two other Singaporeans on Restriction Orders (RO) for two years.
The ISA detainee is Muhammad Fadil bin Abdul Hamid, who has been detained by the Internal Security Department (ISD) since 4 Apr 2010.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a statement yesterday to give an account of Fadil's self-radicalisation process. Investigations revealed that Fadil had been influenced by radical ideology available online while studying in polytechnic and had often surfed the Internet for jihadist propaganda and videos.
He was subsequently influenced by two foreign radicals, namely Muslim cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki and Sheikh Feiz Muhammad, into believing that becoming a martyr through participation in armed jihad is a Muslim's religious obligation.
US-born Awlaki is a key figure of Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen and is allegedly linked to Nidal Hassan, the US Army major accused of shooting 13 people dead at the Fort Hood army base in Texas in November 2009. The new media-savvy Awlaki has been described as "Osama bin Laden of the Internet" for his propensity to use the platforms of blog, Facebook and YouTube videos to promote radical ideology.
Fadil had initiated online communication with Awlaki to express his desire to become a follower and to undertake jihad in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. He had also contacted a suspected Al-Qaeda recruiter, who encouraged him to fight in Afghanistan.
Searched for information on bomb-making; intended to pursue activities overseas
For the purpose of undertaking armed jihad overseas, Fadil went online to search for information on bomb-making. He also posted a self-made video glorifying martyrdom and justifying suicide bombing.
Responding to queries from the media, an MHA spokesman indicated that Fadil had not initiated or plotted any jihad-related activities in Singapore. The MHA stated, "His intentions were to pursue such activities overseas in places like Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq".
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) also released a statement in response to queries from the media. It pointed out that Fadil, who was enlisted in September last year, did not complete his polytechnic studies. He was undergoing section leader training in Pasir Laba Camp at the point of his arrest.
Mindef: An isolated case of Singaporean being misled
Mindef expressed that investigations had revealed this to be an isolated case of a Singaporean being misled. It stressed that there are appropriate security procedures and mechanism at the national level to monitor and guard against potential security threats.
Mindef said, "As part of this national system, Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces will continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface".
In June 2007, Singapore made its first ISA arrest of a self-radicalised Muslim looking to join an international terrorist organisation. Law graduate and former lecturer Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader was heading to Afghanistan for armed jihad training at the point of his arrest.
The MHA announced yesterday that two other Singaporeans have been placed on the RO for two years from Jun 23. They are 44-year-old Muhammad Anwar Jailani and 27-year-old Muhammad Thahir bin Shaik Dawood.
Persons placed on the RO must undergo compulsory religious counselling and they cannot change jobs, move, leave Singapore or participate in the activities of any organisation without the prior approval of the authorities.
Jailani is an unaccredited religious teacher yet he had distributed to his students, contacts and the general public copies of CDs containing audio recordings of Awlaki's lectures that call on Muslims to undertake jihad against non-Muslims and other "enemies" of Islam.
He had applied to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore for accreditation but was rejected last year because he lacked formal religious qualifications.
Thahir, who runs a small business, was one of Jailani's students who became radicalised mainly through his influence. He had travelled to Yemen to enrol in a course conducted by an associate of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. He had tried in vain to contact Awlaki and other radicals for the purpose of participating in jihad overseas.
While in Yemen, Thahir began to have doubts about undertaking armed jihad and came round to the view that there were other ways for Muslims to do "jihad" like pursuing knowledge and performing good deeds. He later withdrew from the Yemeni course of his own accord and was investigated by the ISD after his return from Yemen.
Meanwhile, the MHA also announced yesterday that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Ibrahim Mohd Noor had been released on a Suspension Direction under the ISA on Jun 1. He must abide by certain conditions while his movements would also be restricted. Ibrahim may be detained again if he is judged to have breached rules.
Ibrahim fled Singapore in December 2001 following the arrests of Singapore JI members in ISD's security operation. He was a trained operative who had conducted terrorist reconnaissance against local establishments in Singapore to prepare for JI's terrorist operations. He was arrested and detained under the ISA in April 2007 following a joint operation with a regional security agency.
The MHA said that Ibrahim had cooperated in investigations and shown significant progress in his rehabilitation. He was assessed as no longer posing a security threat that required preventive detention.
在美国出生的安瓦尔目前是恐怖主义组织卡伊达(Al-Qaeda)也门分支的关键人物。他涉嫌与去年11月在美国得克萨斯州胡德堡基地开枪射杀同袍的美国少校尼达尔(Nidal Malik Hasan)一案有所关联。安瓦尔善于利用新媒体传播激进思想,他在互联网上设有博客、面簿(Facebook)等,也录制影片上载到YouTube,被人形容为"互联网上的奥萨马"。
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Lianhe Zaobao - Religious leaders: Singaporeans should not overreact
07 July 2010
Translation
Local religious leaders interviewed have urged Singaporeans not to overreact to the arrest of a full-time national serviceman in the Singapore Armed Forces under the Internal Security Act. They are of the view that this is an isolated case that should not implicate the whole Malay-Muslim community.
Senior Islamic leader Rhazaly Noentil expressed his hope that Singaporeans would not call on the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) to watch the Malays in the armed forces.
"Should Mindef start doing so, the Malay community would feel being marginalised. We cannot stop all Malay youths from performing National Service because of a black sheep."
He noted that while the Malay-Muslim community had done their utmost to pre-empt self-radicalisation among their youths, family is a weak link.
"Youths are full of curiosity. Since many of them have their own room or computer, it is natural for them to surf the Net in search of answers. Nowadays, most parents are working and have little time to communicate with their children and give them guidance. This is why youths can easily go astray."
Ustaz Feizal Mohamed Hassan, a religious teacher and member of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, said Singaporeans should understand that the radical ideology spread on the Internet is a common threat faced by the world.
"Singaporeans should also understand that each of them must interpret religions in accordance with the actual national conditions and accept the established religious mechanism in their own country, for example, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the mosques. Singaporeans who wish to learn Islamic teachings should go to these legitimate organisations."
Commenting on the detection of a self-radicalised individual among NSmen, he said that Mindef has a perfect set of monitoring mechanism in place. Singaporeans should have faith in Mindef, he added.
"This is an isolated case. Moreover, it was before his enlistment that the private was exposed to websites preaching radicalised ideology."
Venerable Kwang Sheng, president of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, also agreed that this is but an isolated incident. He said that indication of this Muslim youth being misled astray does not mean all Malay-Muslim compatriots have embraced radical ideology.
In his view, local religious organisations have established mutual trust, which will never be affected by this incident.
As pointed out by him, the Internet's increasingly significant influence on today's society highlights the importance of religious education as well as mutual understanding and close contact among religious organisations in safeguarding religious harmony.
Tan Thiam Lye, president of the Taoist Federation, also felt that individuals' radical behaviour would not expand into any ethnic incident.
He said that the Government had taken actions to punish the individuals and that the public need not be oversensitive about their ethnicity.
Surjit Singh, chairman of the Sikh Advisory Board, noted that the Malay-Muslim community and their leaders had been dedicated to promoting racial and religious harmony over the years. The few misled individuals should not be perceived as representing the whole community, he added.
"This incident highlights the need for constant vigilance by the police and Singaporeans to prevent extreme ideology from disrupting our social harmony."
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
Tamil Murasu - Singaporean detained under Internal Security Act
07 July 2010
Translation (Summary)
A statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday said that a full-time national serviceman has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Muhammad Fadil bin Abdul Hamid, aged 20, had avidly surfed the Internet in search of jihadist propaganda and videos, and had developed a radicalised stance on his own accord.
The lectures posted on the Internet by the radical ideologues affected him. Therefore “he became convinced that it was his religious duty to undertake armed jihad alongside fellow militants and strive for martyrdom”, said the statement by the ministry.
Fadil had contacted Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical religious teacher, and expressed his desire to participate in militant Jihad in places like Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. Fadil was detained under the ISA on 4 Apr 2010.
Meanwhile, another 2 Singaporeans have been placed on Restriction Orders for a period of 2 years with effect from 23 June 2010, said the ministry. They are Muhammad Anwar Jailani, aged 44, and Muhammad Thahir bin Shaik Dawood, aged 27.
Also, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Ibrahim Mohd Noor has been released under the ISA’s Suspension Direction on 1 June 2010. A trained operative, he fled Singapore in Dec 2001 when ISD arrested Singapore JI members. However, he was arrested – during ISD’s joint operation with a regional security agency – and detained under ISA in Apr 2007.
Click on the link below to view the Tamil Murasu article
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Community leaders from the Indian community expressed their views over the incident of three Singaporeans issued with detention order and restriction order.
Mr Vinod A Devathas' comments:
Generally, if you see, this is an isolated incident. Generally, malay-muslim community, they are in the grassroots, they are in a lot of activities. Generally, we can’t say all of them are like that. This is a very peculiar situation, you see. They have browsed the internet. They go to the internet, see many websites, listen to preaching and then after that, we don’t know how this boy got diverted. What is most important is self control. Self censorship is very important. Now one goes to websites. But in this case, it is a 20 year old boy. Parents can’t control. They themselves need to have self censorship and decide what is good and bad. He is detained now. If detained, who is the problem for? It is for him only. After that, problem is for his family.
Please click here to listen to the soundbite in Tamil.
Mr Bimel Ram's comments:
We must understand clearly that, the three of them who were caught do not represent any community. They have acted based on the information they have received by their own means. They have been diverted. Computer is a very big media. It is not necessary that all information that comes from it has to be true. Every one of us, has the most important job of knowing which issues are good, bad, how do we select them. That selection is the “protective-gear” that we wear for ourselves. Only if we use it, can we select good things and work on it.
Please click here to listen to the soundbite in Tamil.
For the press release by Ministry of Home Affairs, please click here. For the oral answer to Parliamentary Questions on radicalised individuals, please click here.
