Watch out for Islamophobia – Shanmugam

This is the first time that a minister found it dire enough to use the word Islamophobia in an official statement. I was getting a bit edgy with Veritas spouting this word daily and over and over again in my blog and the presence of a radicalized extremist attacking him and anyone using this word. I know this is a very sensitive word and some would find it offensive to use it so freely. The sympathizers of Islam related terrorism will be ready to accuse people condemning Islamofascists as inciting religious intolerance.

In the Mypaper dated 20 Jan, Walter Sim wrote his piece with the title ‘Shanmugam: Watch out for Islamophobia’. This is like the saying, calling a spade a spade. Islamophobia and terrorism are the inseparable twins in today’s international affairs on terrorism. It is good that the Minister say it as it is without mincing a tone. Islamophobia and terrorism are the greatest threat in the world today, and Singapore, being an open country, would not escape being hit or being spared. It is a matter of when and where. It is a near impossibility for the men in blue and the intelligence people to keep a tight lid on a threat that is so widespread and could be easily executed by an individual coming out from no where.

While highlighting the threat, Shanmugam also cautioned the people not to be over sensitive and go into a blind rage. The threats of Islamophobia and terrorism are the acts of a very small minority of anti Muslims paranoids and some Muslims that have been radicalized and have a very different world view of things. According to Shanmugam, ‘Our very existence as one of the most religiously diverse and tolerant societies in the world, where mosques, churches and temples are situated side by side, - this is unacceptable to the zealots. They consider us infidels who ought to be exterminated.’

While everyone should be aware of the seriousness of this threat and the imminence of it happening here, we must be careful, cautious and sensitive to the majority of the Muslims that are also our brothers and sisters and have no part in this Islamophobia and terrorism. We need to close ranks with them and keep our city state peaceful and safe for everyone, for our families and children.

This is not about intolerance or tolerance but being clear in who are the real trouble makers and not to taint everyone, the innocence, in a broad brush. It is like in any groupings or communities there will be the black sheep and trouble makers in their midst.