Religious Rehabilitation Group helps safeguard Muslim community: Shanmugam

SINGAPORE — While a large majority of Muslims in Singapore are “peace-loving” and understand what it means to practise Islam in a multicultural context, “a very small minority” may be led astray by radical influences, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam.

And the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) will continue to play an important role in supporting the Muslim community here and safeguarding the community against religious radicalisation and extremism, said the minister at the RRG’s annual retreat yesterday, during which the group launched a mobile application to counter radical influences.

Mr Shanmugam said the Muslim community here has “much to be proud of”.

“You understand that one can practise Islam faithfully and sincerely, and also be well-adjusted as a contributing member of a multireligious society and secular state. You reject exclusivism and extremism, and instead respect, appreciate and build strong friendships with persons of different faiths and beliefs,” he said.

“In short, you live out the principles of what the local Muslim community calls the ‘Singapore Muslim Identity’.”

Nonetheless, Singapore is not immune to the threat of radical influences spreading globally, he said, noting the arrests of self-radicalised individuals under the Internal Security Act.

The RRG, said Mr Shanmugam, has “a lot to be proud of” as it is respected for its efforts locally and internationally, and the Government will continue to support its efforts.

Commenting on its counter-radicalisation manual, Mr Shanmugan said it is important to keep refining it and make it appealing to young people.