Stop all these. Let us live peacefully. And Dr Alwi, are you medical doc. or a Phd Holder..

Minority opinion as in Zakir Naik – not you !

I disagree with your “no secularism”. but u simply brushed off my opinion and IT IS I WHO HAS TO GO AND READ MORE? why dont YOU read more on secularism in Islam?

Your opinion is better than mine because you’re the “majority”? who is the majority?
one fellow against the majority – according to who? by whose benchmarks? Who says the majority has to be the right opinion? again, you make dismissive and sweeping statements.

On O and A levels in madrasahs, this is a problem in your eyes (and those others you mentioned), but not others, like me.

“Some people believe becoming Singaporean means you dilute Islam”.

Some people – meaning you, i guess. I dont agree with that statement. I on the other hand, feel that I can be a good Muslim, a good Singaporean, and at the same time keeping my identity as a Malay.

As far as i’m concerned, in Singapore, I am allowed to practice my religion, at the same time, i’m urged to work/study hard and earn some financial success. I dont see how this is compromising our faith. As long as I keep my faith and keep my feet on the ground, i dont see anything wrong with me wanting to do well (as the Govt wants me to).

as far as i know, its (O and A levels) already been around in some madrasahs. my sister went through the system in AlMaarif. correct me if i’m wrong here.

I see this as a further refinement of the system. in my opinion, I dont think it will dilute Islamic teaching but instead produce more rounded students. From what i read, students are allowed to either focus on more Islamic topics, more standard secular topics, or a mix of both. MUIS, the headmasters of the madrasahs, and the Education Ministry are working together to make sure it all works.

I say its a worthwhile and progressive move – at least give it a try first.

U disagree with this and and brush me off as a minority opinion. U cant seem to accept that I disagree with you.

but unfortunately, rather than giving a good argument to try to make me understand, or sway my opinion, you take on a confrontational position and claim “the majority is right”, “we cannot argue about Islam”, or “you dont know enough to even understand. Go read”.

and this is why i feel its tiring discussing with you. We’re going round in circles.

Ok – now this time, i promise…i will no longer comment on this topic. thanks.

I have explained the problem. By insisting on O and A level certs, we are subjecting our madrasah students to an unreasonable load. Are we then to dilute Islamic education ? And if so – will we produce madrasah graduates capable of entering al Azhar ?

Secondly, the common basic Islamic education system at the mosques is now to be modified into something which MOST parents find to be thoroughly diluted. Yes – parents are responsible for teaching Fardhu Ain Kifayah. But why then dilute the basic Islamic education at mosques ?

I am now of the view that Singapore Muslims should just go ahead and set up private Islamic schools like Andalus etc. And should MUIS fail to produce al-Azhar qualified ulamas etc – we have no choice but to import ulamas from our neighbouring Muslim countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei etc. Of course when that happens, I have no doubt that MUIS will be discredited !

Now as far as integration is concerned – there is a limit to it. As long as we do not compromise our Islamic identity and practices – its fine. But some people believe that to be a good Singaporean – we must dilute Islam. This I reject.

As for Zakir Naik – thats only one point of view. Read more Islam please. There is such a thing called “jumhur ulama”. There is such a thing called the ijma’(or concensus) of the ulama. One fellow disagreeing with the majority means nothing ! Check on the majority view. READ.

Any more comments from “us people”, did u say? aah, i see now, there’s you and there’s us, eh?

I’ve asked you a few things:

- educate “us people” who dont know enough about madrasah issue. Maybe we might be swayed by better information. But rather than educate us, you already made a judgement we’re not worthy to argue with you. and you want to continue with a confrontational tone. so i give up.

- i said all along its up to parents to give the best Islamic education for their children. You instead keep harping about govt interference in Islamic education, getting poor religious teachers in the future etc etc…

Now you’re back to fardhu ain and kifayah – back to basic Islamic education. Which comes back to my earlier assertion – a parent can choose whats best for his children.

- now, after all that, you say we we can import islamic teachers (i.e. FT for religious teaching), if our proposed system is not good enough. we already do import religious teachers, as i grew up with Indonesian and Malaysian trained ones, which i said earlier.

We are just going round in circles, and you seem to be arguing for arguing’s sake.

You’re certainly unhappy with the govt, MUIS etc – which i dont. i see them as making progessive steps. You clearly dont agree with me and you’re not open to discussion, so i shall not continue.

- to quote you “there is no secularism in Islam”. in my opinion, thats a neo-con, right-wing view, which i dont share. If there’s no secularism in Islam, then why even bother about worldly activities? On youtube, Dr Naik discusses Islam and Secularism. quite eye-opening.

- I also said that we’re straying away from the main blog – which is about malays in the mainstream. the blog was about integration into the bigger Singapore agenda. Yet you still want to keep on this track about madrasahs – about treating Malays/Muslims differently. You dont want to discuss this too.

Sir, i wish you well.

Anymore comments from you people ? Those who are well connected with the Muslim grassroots can see what is happening in society today…..

There is NO NEED to set up a Muslim opposition party. Such a party will be painted as being extremist and the PAP will simply frighten the Chinese voters away. Even if it is a moderate Muslim party – there is no guarantee that the PAP will not infiltrate it with extremist elements in order to portray it as radical.

The issue before us here is simple – basic Islamic education. Farhu Ain & Fardhu Kifayah. Why the need to go so far ?

There are many private religious schools. Demand and Supply. Free market. Here is a business opportunity. Lets set up more schools like Andalus ! And mosques can always import ulamas from neighbouring Muslim countries.

I don’t have visions etc. I go to mosque on Fridays and people talk about similar issues. Basically one does NOT need an Islamic party. Its just FARDHU AIN & FARDHU KIFAYAH. Easy stuff. Solat, Fiqh, Tahlil, Zakat etc etc. In any case – I am now of the opinion that perhaps PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS like Andalus etc holds the key.

Why set up an opposition party when all we need is a simple school teaching Fardhu Ain & Fardhu Kifayah ? Truly – the demand for Islamic education in Singapore is very high. Hence private religious schools have sprung up. In any case – we can always IMPORT ustaz & ustazah from Malaysia, Indonesia and even Brunei. When that happens – too bad for MUIS !

Its a free world. Demand and supply. Singapore fails to deliver – we look elsewhere. MUIS fails to deliver – we set up our own private schools ! Long live capitalism. Long live the free market !

Of course – IF an Islamic party is formed – it will NOT get Chinese votes to win. The PAP will frighten the Chinese voters away. Thats what happens in Malaysia anyway. Similarly the Chinese dominated opposition parties also cannot get Malay votes. Only a MODERATE Muslim party JOINING HANDS with the largely Chinese Opposition has a chance of winning. Thats how UMNO rules Malaysia. If you want a Muslim Opposition – then it must be moderate in its views. Not PAS.

This issue has been brought to the attention of MUIS, the Malay-Muslim MP’s etc etc by many people, parents, ustaz and ustazah, PERGAS etc.