http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/imam-being-probed-over-comments-christians-and-jews
Singapore
Imam being probed over comments on Christians and Jews
Yuen Sin
The Straits Times
Thursday, Mar 2, 2017
The authorities are investigating a case involving an imam who allegedly made insensitive comments about Christians and Jews.
Investment associate Terence Nunis, 40, posted a video on a Facebook page last Friday of what appeared to be an imam saying a prayer after a sermon at Jamae Mosque in South Bridge Road.
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The video, which Mr Nunis said was taken in early January and sent to him by a friend who had attended the sermon, showed the imam - who is believed to be from South India - using the Arabic word "fanswurna" when he spoke about Christians and Jews.
Mr Nunis, who is a Muslim, said the use of the word "fanswurna" - which means "to overcome" or "to grant victory over" - in relation to other religions is problematic.
"In this case, the flavour is far from benign and the implicit meaning is more than just being better than them... but to dominate them," Mr Nunis told The Straits Times.
He also said in his Facebook post that the imam had made similar comments last Friday.
The police confirmed that a report had been lodged over the imam's remarks.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said it is aware of the case.
It is assisting the police with their investigations.
"As part of due process, the individual has been placed on leave while investigations are ongoing," added a spokesman.
The spokesman also said that Muis takes "a very serious view of any behaviour or speech which promotes feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different faith communities".
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/police-report-lodged-against-imam-alleged-offensive-remarks-jews-christians
Police report lodged against imam for alleged offensive remarks on Jews, Christians
Published: 9:17 PM, February 28, 2017
SINGAPORE — A police report has been made over remarks made by an imam, who allegedly insulted Christians and Jews during his Friday sermons at a mosque.
In response to TODAY’s queries, a police spokesman said: “The police confirm that a report has been lodged. We are unable to comment further as investigations are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said it is aware of the case and is assisting the police with their investigations.
In a post uploaded on his Facebook page, A Muslim Convert Once More, the writer, who signed off as Mr Terence Helikaon Nunis, said the imam had made the insulting remarks during his Friday sermons on Jan 6 and Feb 24 at the Masjid Jamae (Chulia) in South Bridge Road.
Mr Nunis also uploaded a video of the imam, who was not identified, giving his sermon on Jan 6.
In his post, uploaded on Feb 24, Mr Nunis said: “We should not encourage this sort of thinking or condone this sort of supplications.”
The Muis spokesperson said: “As part of due process, the individual has been placed on leave whilst investigations are ongoing. Muis takes a very serious view of any behaviour or speech which promotes feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different faith communities.”
Singapore
Imam being probed over comments on Christians and Jews
Yuen Sin
The Straits Times
Thursday, Mar 2, 2017
The authorities are investigating a case involving an imam who allegedly made insensitive comments about Christians and Jews.
Investment associate Terence Nunis, 40, posted a video on a Facebook page last Friday of what appeared to be an imam saying a prayer after a sermon at Jamae Mosque in South Bridge Road.
Advertisement
The video, which Mr Nunis said was taken in early January and sent to him by a friend who had attended the sermon, showed the imam - who is believed to be from South India - using the Arabic word "fanswurna" when he spoke about Christians and Jews.
Mr Nunis, who is a Muslim, said the use of the word "fanswurna" - which means "to overcome" or "to grant victory over" - in relation to other religions is problematic.
"In this case, the flavour is far from benign and the implicit meaning is more than just being better than them... but to dominate them," Mr Nunis told The Straits Times.
He also said in his Facebook post that the imam had made similar comments last Friday.
The police confirmed that a report had been lodged over the imam's remarks.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said it is aware of the case.
It is assisting the police with their investigations.
"As part of due process, the individual has been placed on leave while investigations are ongoing," added a spokesman.
The spokesman also said that Muis takes "a very serious view of any behaviour or speech which promotes feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different faith communities".
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/police-report-lodged-against-imam-alleged-offensive-remarks-jews-christians
Police report lodged against imam for alleged offensive remarks on Jews, Christians
Published: 9:17 PM, February 28, 2017
SINGAPORE — A police report has been made over remarks made by an imam, who allegedly insulted Christians and Jews during his Friday sermons at a mosque.
In response to TODAY’s queries, a police spokesman said: “The police confirm that a report has been lodged. We are unable to comment further as investigations are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said it is aware of the case and is assisting the police with their investigations.
In a post uploaded on his Facebook page, A Muslim Convert Once More, the writer, who signed off as Mr Terence Helikaon Nunis, said the imam had made the insulting remarks during his Friday sermons on Jan 6 and Feb 24 at the Masjid Jamae (Chulia) in South Bridge Road.
Mr Nunis also uploaded a video of the imam, who was not identified, giving his sermon on Jan 6.
In his post, uploaded on Feb 24, Mr Nunis said: “We should not encourage this sort of thinking or condone this sort of supplications.”
The Muis spokesperson said: “As part of due process, the individual has been placed on leave whilst investigations are ongoing. Muis takes a very serious view of any behaviour or speech which promotes feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different faith communities.”