Shanmugam warns against Islamophobia

SINGAPORE — In the wake of the arrests of 27 Bangladeshi nationals here late last year under the Internal Security Act, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said today (Jan 23) he has heard concerns being raised not just by Bangladeshi workers about possible repercussions for their community. Muslim children are also bearing the brunt of anti-Islamic sentiment in schools, Mr Shanmugam said.

Speaking to reporters after speaking with the Bangladeshi community at Khadijah Mosque in Geylang this afternoon, Mr Shanmugam said: “Many of them (members of the Bangladeshi community) are worried as to what the implications are, so I assured them (to) just stick to what you are doing (and) keep to the law; the law protects you.”

The minister, when asked about his message to the wider Singaporean community in the wake of the arrests, reiterated the need for Singaporeans to guard against Islamophobia.

“Whether they are foreign workers or... local Muslims, there is no reason to say the entire religion or everyone who practises that religion should now be viewed in a certain way,” said Mr Shanmugam.

Bangladeshi Manir Hosain, 33, who works in the construction industry, is among those concerned about the ramifications for the Bangladeshi community.

He recounted that after the arrests were made public, he was told by some when he went to the mosque that he resembled the 27 Bangladeshi workers arrested.

“My heart (is) getting very sad why... (because of) a few people, now (everyone) thinks that Bangladeshi people (have) become terrorists,” Mr Hosain told reporters.

Mr Shanmugam said he was told that Muslim children in schools have been at the receiving end of anti-Islamic remarks expressed by fellow students.

“I have already heard stories in schools, (with) children saying to Muslim kids, ‘You’re Muslim, you’re trouble, you’re wrong, your religion is bad,’” he said.

The minister stressed that painting all Muslims with the same brush and treating them negatively was “a serious risk and we should not allow that in Singapore”.

“If we start going down this route of tarring people of Islam as terrorists, Singapore will be in trouble,” he said.