Islamic teaching formalised
A scheme that endorses Islamic religious teachers in Singapore will be made mandatory from Jan 1 next year, with all religious teachers required to register in the Asatizah Recognition Scheme.
But the asatizah will be given a one-year grace period to obtain the necessary qualifications, which include at least a diploma in Islamic studies from a recognised institution, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim told reporters at the National Day Rally, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke in his Malay speech of the need to strengthen the scheme.
Started in 2005, the scheme is voluntary now, with about 80 per cent of asatizah here on its register.
But the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) will work with the Asatizah Recognition Board and the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association to make it mandatory.
Muslim leaders had proposed ways to make the scheme stricter, amid reports of Singaporeans radicalised by extremist ideology. They did it most recently at a closed-door dialogue with Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister for Communications and Information, and Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli on Saturday.
In welcoming it yesterday, Mr Lee said: "I commend the Malay/Muslim community for taking the initiative to deal with a sensitive problem. These measures will ensure that all asatizah in Singapore understand how Islam is practised here, and can guide their students to live in harmony with fellow Singaporeans of all races and religions."
Dr Yaacob told reporters the 20 per cent who have yet to register belong to private schools and centres, or run their own classes. They include older teachers who have been doing it for decades.
"Some of them also fear they may not have the necessary qualifications," he said. "We'll work with them to see what we can do in terms of courses to ensure they'll qualify under the scheme."
Mufti Fatris Bakaram said the scheme was important amid rising demand for religious classes too.
"There must not be any gap where people who are not qualified can take advantage of the system, claiming it is just a voluntary initiative," he said.
In his speech, Mr Lee said it was critical for Singapore's asatizah to understand the country's multiracial context. All religions here practise their faith in a multiracial and multi-religious context, he said.
The different groups here respect each other's faiths, make practical compromises to accommodate one another, and do not segregate themselves from other communities.
"But it is not so in many other countries. It may be the same religion, but the practice and teaching vary from country to country. And sometimes, these practices and teachings are exclusivist and intolerant," said Mr Lee.
Some foreign preachers visiting Singapore do not understand the country's multiracial context, too.
"They preach separation between believers and non-believers. They condemn those who practise other faiths, and sometimes even those who practise the same faith, but in different ways," said Mr Lee.
"They advocate practices and customs that would cause grave harm in Singapore."
Singapore has, from time to time, stopped such preachers - of all faiths - from entering the country.
"The Government has to be consistently firm no matter what the religion, in order to safeguard our religious harmony."
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But the asatizah will be given a one-year grace period to obtain the necessary qualifications, which include at least a diploma in Islamic studies from a recognised institution, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim told reporters at the National Day Rally, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke in his Malay speech of the need to strengthen the scheme.
Started in 2005, the scheme is voluntary now, with about 80 per cent of asatizah here on its register.
But the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) will work with the Asatizah Recognition Board and the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association to make it mandatory.
Muslim leaders had proposed ways to make the scheme stricter, amid reports of Singaporeans radicalised by extremist ideology. They did it most recently at a closed-door dialogue with Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister for Communications and Information, and Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli on Saturday.
In welcoming it yesterday, Mr Lee said: "I commend the Malay/Muslim community for taking the initiative to deal with a sensitive problem. These measures will ensure that all asatizah in Singapore understand how Islam is practised here, and can guide their students to live in harmony with fellow Singaporeans of all races and religions."
Dr Yaacob told reporters the 20 per cent who have yet to register belong to private schools and centres, or run their own classes. They include older teachers who have been doing it for decades.
"Some of them also fear they may not have the necessary qualifications," he said. "We'll work with them to see what we can do in terms of courses to ensure they'll qualify under the scheme."
Mufti Fatris Bakaram said the scheme was important amid rising demand for religious classes too.
"There must not be any gap where people who are not qualified can take advantage of the system, claiming it is just a voluntary initiative," he said.
In his speech, Mr Lee said it was critical for Singapore's asatizah to understand the country's multiracial context. All religions here practise their faith in a multiracial and multi-religious context, he said.
The different groups here respect each other's faiths, make practical compromises to accommodate one another, and do not segregate themselves from other communities.
"But it is not so in many other countries. It may be the same religion, but the practice and teaching vary from country to country. And sometimes, these practices and teachings are exclusivist and intolerant," said Mr Lee.
Some foreign preachers visiting Singapore do not understand the country's multiracial context, too.
"They preach separation between believers and non-believers. They condemn those who practise other faiths, and sometimes even those who practise the same faith, but in different ways," said Mr Lee.
"They advocate practices and customs that would cause grave harm in Singapore."
Singapore has, from time to time, stopped such preachers - of all faiths - from entering the country.
"The Government has to be consistently firm no matter what the religion, in order to safeguard our religious harmony."
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If China does not Wish to Intact religiously or religious Support to India then we have to look or other Muslim or Christen Countries as alternative to our international support.And if MUSLIMS & CHRISTENS in other Countries like ENGLAND,FRANCE,Germany,Russia,Turky,Greece,Egypt etc can live together as Brothers and sisters then why not INDIANS can live like them as HINDU+CHRISTEN+MUSLIM as it is a Matter of Adoption of Religion only for Betterment of our Country not for any type of BUSINESS or CRIMINOLOGY against each other. CRIME & BUSINESS have no PRINCIPLES now a days in INDIA so LAWS of INDIA must be STRICT to such unsocial Activities in d to POOR and POLICE & SECURITY of INDIAN must not surrender themselves to RICH and Luxurious PEOPLE of INDIA but should be dedicated to our common people of Country enjoying the SECT of all religions of the World in INDIA. Our FIRST AIM is to to MAKE INDIA RICH & PROSPEROUS with the help of ALL RELIGIONS in the WORLD in a Friendly Behaviors. ISLAM is also FRIEND to other Religions of the WORLD and we have to pay respect to ISLAM also. more
Aug 25
we are all talking about corruption knowing fully well corruption is among us it is not in hell. so what to do simply keep quite or do some thing . some interested people are planning to make a big organization with the following objectives please read and if you fee good join Please read the following objectives and join the group to raise our voice . It is the time participate on public discussion with out bias as is done in print and electronic media. It is the time not to keep quite just after voting and become mute Respected Members Sirs, As discussed earlier in the circle we are publishing a draft of Objectives of National Legal Forum, which we all believe to be published on regular basis in the circles as below, please revert if you have any alteration, please. FORUM FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES WE , THE DEDICATED ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS having solemnly resolved to constitute into a FORUM FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES to secure an un-deviated Public Welfare Oriented Policy of rule in our Nation with the Objectives aspired by the freedom strugglers of the Country as was also envisaged while concluding the Constitution of India through a significant part IV. So the concept of “NATIONAL LEGAL FORUM under NGO Provisions” for better civilization at Public Interest”. PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA: JUSTICE, social, economic and political: LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship: EQUALITY of status and of opportunity: Over and above, _ FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the [unity and integrity of the Nation]: And to promote among them all. PREAMBLE: ¬ The Constitution adopted in November 1949 by the Legislative Assembly had the Article 32, which was provided for Constitutional Remedies to its Citizen with article 226 that is applicable in State High Courts. After many protests, representations and rigor, the Constitution was added with an Article 31 C in 1971 as amended in 1976 and the Article 39 A was also added for providing Equal opportunity of law for which it was emphasised the need of providing Free Legal Aid to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied on account of economic or other disabilities. The Preamble of the Constitution was added with the Note: In 1992, Life guarantee under Constitution.... The Preamble of the Constitution promises and the directive principles are mandate to the Stats to eradicate poverty so that the poor of this country can enjoy the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution. Determination of the Judges. – Strength in superior courts held, justifiable. ¬ Once in 1982 & later in 1992, The Supreme Court had confined that “We would therefore held that any member of the public having sufficient interest can maintain an action for judicial redress for public injury arising from breach of public duty or from violation of some provisions of the Constitution or the law and seek enforcement of such public duty and observance of such constitutional or legal provision. This is absolutely necessary for maintaining the rule of law, furthering the cause of justice and accelerating the pace of realisation of the Constitutional Objectives“. Thus, the Supreme Court upheld the RIGHT OF THE PRACTICING LAWYERS to maintain a writ petition under Art. 32 on matters affecting the independence of Judiciary. ¬ The Supreme Court also cited, == where a legal wrong or legal injury is caused to person or to a determinate class of persons by reason of violation of any constitutional or legal rights and such person or determinate class of persons is by reason of poverty, helplessness of disability or socially or economically disadvantaged position unable to approach the court for relief, any member of the public can maintain an application for an appropriate direction or order or writ in the High Court under Article 226 or in the case of breach of any Fundamental Right to the Court under Article 32 . == ¬ Even though the preamble as was the original contain the whole, to be in specific on certain prominent objectives of Freedom fighters caused for the inclusion for Secured Directives of Rule for the generations. WHILE these the basics of the constitution , there had been many Supreme Court Judgements in many matters relevant to the Directive Principles those were set to achieve the comprehensive object of article 21 in the first , second and third decades of Independent Rule in India . ¬ Even then, the Selfish Personalities staged that “The court has no capacity to enforce its orders and in many cases the conditions have not changed. “ And the Honourable Court had to highlight the issues of _ · A Telegram forwarded under article 39 about the murder of his son in police lock-up filed by his father which was directed by the State high Court confining the importance of article 39 A . · The Court also taken-up such in form of a letter on white paper confining to article 32 and 39 in cases of hazardous livelihood and health loss due to Pollution from Industries etc., In the spirit and inspiration of Dr. Ambedkar “If it was asked to name any particular Article in this Constitution as the most important – an Article without which this Constitution would be a nullity – we could not refer to any other Article except this one.......... It is the very soul of the Constitution and the very heart of it.” In the spirit of Fraternity inspired by Dr. Ambedkar “Castes are anti-national in the first place they bring about separation in social life. They are anti-national also because they generate jealousy and antipathy between caste and caste. But we must overcome all these difficulties if we wish to become a nation in reality.” OBJECTIVES: It is true that “ Morality , Decency & Basic Education “ are the requisites in Citizen without which there cannot be a better Electorate and Justified rule while considering the above some of the unpleasant issues and the present status of our Statistics as at 2011 , we , the association of persons concluded to form this forum to work with keen interest for the better carry and substantial application of the provisions of the constitution through the provision of Rights to Constitutional Remedies with the following Objectives mainly. Supreme Court also had to give effect in the issues of Education, and suggested, directed the governments on application of Uniform Civil Code and even the implementation of Economic Creamy Layer of Castes to eradicate the Reservations and Relaxations to those Socially & Economically in reasonable status to full fill the real objective of applying to those only poor and poorest of the Poor in a justified carry of the concept of the Constitution. The present situation and the above legally and morally justified facts indeed necessitate the constitution of “NATIONAL LEGAL FORUM Under NGO Provisions at PUBLIC INTEREST” by the Morally , Socially and Legally active personalities to carry the objective of our Indian freedom-fighters, sustain the purpose of independent Rule in our Country for Secured Safety to our generations which in-fact is under the compulsory requirement within the purview of article 21 , 32 , 226 and the very public oriented article 39 A with the foregoing Articles of Association please . 1. This Forum will have to work for the implementation, enforcement and application of the provisions and benefits of the Indian Constitution pertaining to rule in the Country and the restriction on rights. 2. The institution will have to work for making the Directive Principles of Centre/State policy as a whole mandatory and also enforceable through the provision of Rights to Constitutional Remedies. 3. The institution will have to work free from any political motivation and take up every petition / urge in writing of any citizen in India if deprived from any provisions of the Directive Principles or Article 21 with its comprehensive derivation. 4. The institution can take up any urge / letter in writing from any Citizen or institution who / which is derived from application of Rights & Liberties without due concern of restrictions [S.C. also upheld the clause 2 in exercise of clause 1 of article 19 & such concerned issues] or deprived from Equal opportunity in enjoyment of any Fundamental Right Charging reasonable Fee and actual Expenses in dealing with the Case. 5. The institution shall not to entertain any individual Case of any nature of any person of any status other than the above four objectives. 6. The institution can invite membership fee of Rs.100/- from Lawyers and Social Personalities those are interested to join this institution conditioned for the above five objectives and goals to be naturally bound. 7. The institution will further start a website in its own anticipation temporarily with signed members of presently listing the opted CENTRAL LEADING TEAM with a provision to enrolment of interested members through the Website directly giving the Name , Place , email-number in the first phase so that , soon after attaining minimum 180 members enrolment , to finalise all the further issues of Central Team , individual State Teams etc., Believe legal rights are prime requirement of our civilization than our foods for survival! The very purpose of this National Legal Forum under NGO provisions, without any influence of any political motivation. With the involvement of expertise of all the sectors and obviously with the loyal efforts of lawyers, whoever is joining the Forum. Need to add its identity as it will be a Forum for the objective of public interest against those rulers and the rules, which are being used not in public favour and we remain unprotected/uncivilized! To fight for Constitutional remedies for the fundamental rights and against corruptions for healthy civilization! So that Fundamental rights of our constitution can work more effectively/efficiently towards civilization! Request strong participants to join by uploading/sending their e-mail ids... Thanks & Regards, Manas Kr. Nandi [Mobile: 09830818225] Skype: manas.nan more
Aug 25
The Sharing and Comment on Sri Ranvir Singh is very much absolutely correct . The concept of Religion had been set for Selfish Ruling Power Thirst and Hunger and in deed was and is the gross mistake and inhuman too . Since the Unique issue that keeps Unity in Human beings is only the Religion with its beliefs of living and livelyhood with great concern on all living beings in the Universe . But , this had been misused and the MONEY AND WEALTH , THE ROOTS OF SINS ONLY IS THE CAUSE AND IS TO BE VOLUNTARILY SEALED PLEASE . more
Aug 23
And you see after sometime the SIKHS will Start Teaching/Preaching their Religion and Guru Granth Sahib in ENGLISH and ARABI by Finding their own Language and Script ( Gurumukhi/Punjabi) as Language and Script of Backward and Poor of PUNJAB. Adopting other Religions as Better and Prosperous Religions a Person will Loose his own Identity and Culture like Most of our Indians are Loosing and appreciating the Language,Religions of other Countries. Why people wish to do more Exercises to understand Others ? more
Aug 23
World Preachers of Religions do not understand the Meaning of Religions but they have the duty to Preach their religions in other countries for Peace & Harmony but Accepting the Religions by simply under the Influence of the Preachers are Shear Foolishness this What Indians do Now a Days. For Example Some Educated Hindu ( Public School Educated) Teaching Hinduism in English and Some Indian Muslims (Arabic Educated ) Teaching ISLAM in ARABIC to their Family in INDIA. For them Religions are a Different Issue Pertaining to Prosperity by Other Countries not by Own Country. Why So Mush FUSS on Religions of the World is it For Money and Power. more
Aug 23
