Challenging Ramadan ends on happy note thanks to support from various faiths: Yaacob

SINGAPORE — This year’s Ramadan was a challenging one for Muslim Singaporeans, but the community did well, and the month has ended on a happy note with support from various faiths, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said on Sunday (June 25).

“It isn’t something we look forward to — to hear news that some within our community have been radicalised,” he told reporters after Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.

“During Ramadan, we’re supposed to promote good, (but some are) harbouring certain intentions which are contrary to our beliefs as Muslims. Certainly it’s a challenge.

“At the same time, we’ve been able to rise to the occasion. And this didn’t happen by chance. There were a lot of people working behind the scenes.”

He cited, as examples, the management committees and volunteers at various mosques, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and self-help group Yayasan Mendaki.

Dr Yaacob had earlier expressed regret at Singaporeans being caught for terror-related activities, saying it was “heart-wrenching” to receive such news during the fasting month.

Following the announcements of the detention of an infant-care assistant and the arrests of two auxiliary police officers for being radicalised, several ministers and public leaders have called for Singaporeans to stand united amid the challenging security climate. While reiterating this yesterday, Dr Yaacob also thanked non-Muslim community leaders who have continued to “embrace the (Muslim) community (and given) us their assurance that we’re part of the wider community”.

“That’s the kind of message we must continue to grow beyond Ramadan,” he said. “We must continue to preserve the social cohesion we have here ... We must be proud not just of us Muslim Singaporeans, but (of) the wider Singaporean community.”

He added: “I’m thankful we have rational, sane leaders within our community who realise that the bigger picture is for us to rally together and stay united.”

He also shared that during Ramadan, some non-Muslim Singaporeans not only joined in the iftar (break fast) sessions, but also decided to fast “to feel what it’s like to be a Muslim”.