Fight against Islamic State not anti-islamic: Religious leaders

Religious leaders and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim have assured that Singapore’s decision to participate in the multinational coalition against the Islamic State cannot be perceived or interpreted anti-islamic.  This is due to the fact that the acts by the Islamic State goes against the true teachings of the religion, said Dr. Yaacob yesterday, TODAY reports. Singapore’s own mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association and the Religious and Rehabiliitation Group have all sided with international Muslim scholars and leaders in the condemning of the Islamic State militant group, who have brutally taken over large territories in Syria and Iraq. Yesterday, Singapore announced that they will be deploying troops and equipment in together with 33 other nations in the fight against the Islamic State.  Though some might think that Islam has been put in the spotlight again, Dr Yaacob assures that the decision to join the fight is primarily to protect Singaporeans, as terrorist groups and their extremist ideologies can pose a direct security threat to the country and the region.  Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean agrees, stressing that Singapore is not immune to threats posed by the Islamic State, and the efforts against the group contribute directly to Singapore’s own security. Photo: AFP   Read Also: Singapore sends troops and equipment in multinational fight against Islamic State