Muis should help to debunk Sunni-Shia fallacies

The issue of youths being caught up in the so-called Sunni-Shia Syrian conflict saddens me and others (Two Aetos officers arrested under ISA for terror-related offences; June 21).

It appears that the seeds of sectarianism have reached such a state. (For example, ex-Aetos officer Muhammad Khairul Mohamed, a Sunni Muslim who viewed the Syrian conflict as a Sunni-Shia struggle, wanted to fight against the Shias by joining the Free Syrian Army.)

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) should be crystal clear and upfront about Shia being an acceptable Islamic school of thought.

This should be communicated widely, and not in the generic sense, at mosques during Friday prayers. Although there is a Muis fatwa regarding Shia, it is pretty much made known only upon enquiry.

Sectarianism, if left alone and unchecked, would lead to suspicion and hatred within the community. Such ill feeling is perpetuated by Saudi Arabia’s anti-Iran antennae and its global network of influence through its political funding. Even Malaysia, where Shias are persecuted and arrested under the law, and where Shia hatred is spread across social media, is not spared from this influence. In Singapore, there is even a Facebook platform dedicated to anti-Shia voices.

Muis cannot be complacent about these issues and remain passive. Many of the followers who are ignorant about Middle Eastern politics would simply join the sectarian divide.

The Amman Message, which identifies who is considered Muslim, is a fatwa endorsed by over 500 Muslim scholars worldwide. Its purpose is to debunk fallacies instigated by ideologues who label fellow Muslims as infidels or deviants.

Muis is aware of this fatwa but is not helping to diffuse the Sunni-Shia disagreement. I appeal to Muis to take a more proactive approach to educating the Muslim community nationwide. The Amman Message should be circulated publicly.

We must address the fallacies and keep the Muslim community from being suspicious of one another.