Support for a cause should not divide community: Yaacob

SINGAPORE — The Republic is a multiracial and secular society and those who want to express support for a cause or a choice of lifestyle should express it in a way that does not divide the community, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim yesterday.

Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister for Communications and Information, said that while differences have always existed in society, some might “want to take it upon themselves to champion one cause or the other”. “I’m not sure whether that approach will bring any good to Singapore. We must not forget we have to keep the social fabric as tight as possible,” he said.

Dr Yaacob was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Touch of Ramadan Celebrations, where he responded to questions over the Wear White campaign launched by an Islamic religious teacher as a protest against homosexuality.

On Friday, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) issued guidelines to mosque officials on how to address lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, urging mosques not to take a confrontational stance or “vilify” those supporting the LGBT community.

Dr Yaacob reiterated this yesterday, saying it is important that Singapore’s mosques remain a neutral religious platform that does not take sides and is “there to serve the Muslim community of all shades”.

He added: “At the end of the day, people have to make their own choices ... We have made clear where our values are and, at the same time, we also recognise that we live in a different society, it’s a multiracial, secular society.”

Several civil society groups and activists have also weighed in on the issue, stating in a joint online statement that they are troubled that the LGBT issue has been portrayed as a conflict between religious versus secular values.

Terming this a “false dichotomy”, they pointed out that numerous religious leaders and organisations, both in Singapore and around the world, have expressed support for LGBT equality. “Religion is equally capable of upholding and supporting universal values such as democracy, justice and equality,” they said.

“We urge that these values serve as a bridge when discussing issues on LGBTQ (Q is for queer) across the religious and non-religious spectrum.”

Among the signatories to the seven-paragraph statement were Free Community Church, Association of Women for Action and Research, Maruah, the Humanist Society (Singapore) and more than 200 individuals.

They also raised concerns about the “continuous dehumanising portrayals” of people in the LGBT community, pointing out that “a worrying trend” has emerged on social media with voices calling for the community to be targeted for public shaming and harassment, adding that there is a need for greater public education.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church on Saturday posted on its website a letter from Archbishop William Goh to Catholics reiterating the church’s stand on the LGBT movement.

The church does not condone LGBT relationships, which are “not in accordance with the plan of God”.

“There are other ways to ensure justice and the protection of (the LGBT community’s) dignity without the risk of endangering the future of the institution of marriage, family and society,” he wrote.

However, discrimination of any kind is neither pleasing in the eyes of God nor those of man, he said.