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Masagos ‘saddened’ by those who defend massacre

SINGAPORE — Responding to comments in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks that inferred the French had it coming, Minister for Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli criticised that such a view is “just short of justifying the cruel and cowardly acts of the terrorists”.

People, many of whom are French, hold up their lit phones as they take part in a vigil in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, in Trafalgar Square, London, Nov 14, 2015. Photo: AP

People, many of whom are French, hold up their lit phones as they take part in a vigil in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, in Trafalgar Square, London, Nov 14, 2015. Photo: AP

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SINGAPORE — Responding to comments in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks that inferred the French had it coming, Minister for Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli criticised that such a view is “just short of justifying the cruel and cowardly acts of the terrorists”.

Writing on his Facebook page today (Nov 15), the minister, who held foreign affairs portfolios from 2011 to last year, noted that even while the French are mourning the attacks, which have killed at least 129, some have “rationalised that (the terror attacks are) a consequence of the misdeeds of the West”.

Such a response on the “massacre of innocents” in Paris saddens him, said Mr Masagos, who wrote: “Just listen carefully to their statements — how they will make us dull to the inhuman act of mass murder of innocents. They only seek to incite anger and justify revenge.”

He added: “In not condemning acts that are themselves anti-Islam we confuse ourselves what it means to be the witness of the religion of peace against becoming a people who must pay every misdeed with killings and damage.”

Mr Masagos sais it is understandable that Muslims feel defensive in “such embarrassing and indefensible murders by people who do it in the name of our religion”. But instead of rationalising to make themselves feel better, Muslims should take action to uphold the good, he added, citing the words of Islamic scholar Shaykh Faraz Rabbani in a video response to the Paris attacks.

The scholar had said: “When we see ugliness, we should have a renewed sense of urgency to uphold the good ourselves, to become embodiments of the good, to become ambassadors of the good, to become callers to that good ... Renew that commitment and when you see events that are ugly, have a sense of urgency. If you’re not able to do good yourself, support the causes that are doing good.”

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