Photo: Muslims on Bussorah Street, where one of Singapore's oldest mosques is located; Coconuts Singapore / Alexander Hotz
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has reminded mosques in the city-state "not to adopt a confrontational approach or vilify those who are involved in LGBT lifestyles" and to avoid getting "involved in the crossfire" between the Pink Dot and Wear White campaigns, TODAY reports.
In an internal advisory, MUIS also iterated that this did not mean they approved of the said lifestyle.
"We cannot agree to the efforts in promoting such a lifestyle," it wrote, adding that the Muslim community has to plan for something which will not only strengthen its resilence to the lifestyle, but also help members to abstain from or overcome it.
The latter point was emphasised at a pre-Ramadan discussion held by the Office of the Mufti on June 12 for religious, social development and youth officers. Suggestions on how to strengthen resilience include stressing the pro-family message and educating family members on not getting involved in LGBT-related activities. MUIS also reminded during the session that programmes should not oppose the LGBT community, nor should the issue be the only focus throughout the Holy Month.
According to the internal advisory, adopting a non-confrontational approach prevents those participating in the LGBT lifestyle from distancing themselves from the religion and the mosque, and avoids unnecessary arguments that will impede any long-term efforts for resilience.
"We also do not want (the LGBT community) to get unwanted publicity", said MUIS.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore William Goh has issued a statement reminding the Catholic community of the Church's stand on same-sex relationships. "This kind of lifestyle should not be promoted by Catholics as it is destructive to society and contrary to Christian values, which are life-giving and fruitful," he said.
Goh also reminded, however, that "discrimination of any kind is neither pleasing in the eyes of God, nor that of man".
Photo: Muslims on Bussorah Street, where one of Singapore's oldest mosques is located; Coconuts Singapore / Alexander Hotz
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has reminded mosques in the city-state "not to adopt a confrontational approach or vilify those who are involved in LGBT lifestyles" and to avoid getting "involved in the crossfire" between the Pink Dot and Wear White campaigns, TODAY reports.
In an internal advisory, MUIS also iterated that this did not mean they approved of the said lifestyle.
"We cannot agree to the efforts in promoting such a lifestyle," it wrote, adding that the Muslim community has to plan for something which will not only strengthen its resilence to the lifestyle, but also help members to abstain from or overcome it.
The latter point was emphasised at a pre-Ramadan discussion held by the Office of the Mufti on June 12 for religious, social development and youth officers. Suggestions on how to strengthen resilience include stressing the pro-family message and educating family members on not getting involved in LGBT-related activities. MUIS also reminded during the session that programmes should not oppose the LGBT community, nor should the issue be the only focus throughout the Holy Month.
According to the internal advisory, adopting a non-confrontational approach prevents those participating in the LGBT lifestyle from distancing themselves from the religion and the mosque, and avoids unnecessary arguments that will impede any long-term efforts for resilience.
"We also do not want (the LGBT community) to get unwanted publicity", said MUIS.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore William Goh has issued a statement reminding the Catholic community of the Church's stand on same-sex relationships. "This kind of lifestyle should not be promoted by Catholics as it is destructive to society and contrary to Christian values, which are life-giving and fruitful," he said.
Goh also reminded, however, that "discrimination of any kind is neither pleasing in the eyes of God, nor that of man".