He planned to set up Islamic State here (2016)

HE PLANNED TO SET UP ISLAMIC STATE HERE

S'POREAN DETAINED UNDER ISA FOR PROMOTING ISIS, RADICALISING OTHERS

- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/he-planned-set-islamic-state-here#sthash.agbMCzNj.dpuf

Jul 30, 2016 6:00am

BY LINETTE HENG

An Australian-based Singaporean who portrayed himself as a social activist has been arrested for promoting terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and armed jihad.

Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, 44, was arrested this month while visiting Singapore, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said yesterday.

He has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two years.

He is accused of using online platforms to propagate and spread his radical messages - which include glorifying ISIS and their violent actions and exhorting Muslims to take up arms in places like the Middle East, Palestinian territories, Myanmar and the Philippines.

At least two other Singaporeans were radicalised as a result.

One of them, Singaporean businessman Mohamed Saiddhin Abdullah, 33, identified Zulfikar, who was his Facebook friend, as the person who had influenced him to support ISIS. (See report, right.)

The other person, Muhammad Shamin Mohamed Sidik, 29, was detained under the ISA last year for terrorism-related activities.

Zulfikar had also planned to hold training programmes to persuade young Singaporeans to join his extremist agenda of replacing Singapore's secular, democratic system with an Islamic state, by violence if necessary, said the MHA.

Zulfikar is no stranger to controversy.

He rose to prominence in 2002 after he campaigned for the authorities to allow four Muslim girls to wear Islamic headscarves, or tudung, to school.

In May that year, Zulfikar was charged with trespassing at Tanglin police station. He had refused to leave the station after there was an illegal May Day rally at the Istana.

Zulfikar, a married father of six, was the former head of Muslim website Fateha, which was eventually shut down.

In 2002, he fled to Australia amid a police probe into a criminal defamation case for three articles that were posted on the Fateha website.

Zulfikar also made the news in 2014 as an active member of the Wear White movement, which opposes homosexuality and the gay rights event Pink Dot.

COMMENTARY

The Straits Times, which published Zulfikar's commentary on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in May this year, reported that he is a final-year PhD candidate at La Trobe University in Melbourne who researches International Institutionalism with a focus on Asean.

The MHA said Zulfikar was influenced as early as 2001 by jihadi-related material and was supportive of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and the Jemaah Islamiah.

In Australia, he continued to pursue radical ideology by joining the hard-line Hizbut Tahrir organisation.

He was also influenced by the teachings of a cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, who spread his extremist views online and was killed by a US-led drone strike in Yemen in 2011.

Like Awlaki, - a US-born Al-Qaeda leader - Zulfikar had an online presence and was active on Facebook and Twitter.

He posted on a variety of subjects from his research to politics, but several of his Facebook posts in 2014 showed his radical side.

His last Facebook post was on June 25, where he shared a video on atheism.

The MHA release stated: "At times he has tried to hide his real motivations by putting out moderate-sounding views.

"But in reality, he believes in the use of violence to overthrow the democratic system of government and the imposition of an Islamic caliphate."

While in Australia, Zulfikar set up an online group called Al-Makhazin in 2013 and a Facebook page called Al-Makhazin Singapore.

The MHA said: "Zulfikar has admitted that he had an ulterior motive for setting up Al-Makhazin Singapore, which he used as a platform to agitate on Muslim issues in Singapore and attack some Singaporean Muslims who did not share his views.

"His real agenda was in fact to provoke Muslims in Singapore into pushing for the replacement of the democratic system with an Islamic state in Singapore."

Another clue to Zulfikar's radicalisation is a widely circulated photo - first posted on his Facebook account in 2014 - of him and his children mimicking a pose commonly used by ISIS fighters while standing in front of a black flag that is commonly used by ISIS fighters.

The MHA said: "The Government takes a very serious view of efforts to undermine Singapore's constitutional democracy, and will take firm and decisive action against any person who engages in such activities."

Comments by Mnister of Home Affairs and law, K. Shanmugam

He could turn 'normal' person into terrorist: Minister

Those who influence and motivate others to commit violence are more dangerous than those who go out and kill, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam yesterday.

Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, 44, who was arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act for terrorism activity, was an influencer, said Mr Shanmugam.

"He really wanted to brainwash Muslims in Singapore to reject the democratic nation state and instead have an Islamic caliphate," said Mr Shanmugam.

Mentioning how Zulfikar managed to radicalise Mohamed Saiddhin Abdullah, who was issued a Restriction Order this month, Mr Shanmugam said that Zulfikar is a "dangerous and pernicious influence" who is able to turn a "perfectly normal" person into a terrorist.

Mr Shanmugam also cited the example of Belgian preacher Zerkani, who influenced many young people to carry out terrorist attacks in Paris.

"The preachers and influencers stay under the radar, under the cover of religious freedom and freedom of speech," Mr Shanmugam said.

He explained that there was a clear difference between advocating a cause through social activism and glorifying terrorism.

Zulfikar had posted on social media, supporting the actions of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and promoting armed jihad.

"Radicalising people, recruiting people to go and fight overseas, glorifying ISIS and taking steps to say that there should be an Islamic caliphate in Singapore - I think that, for us, that crosses the line," said Mr Shanmugam.

Comments by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong 

Zulfikar's exhortations to take up his call to fight with ISIS has now radicalised at least one other. This is reprehensible and irresponsible; he sat on an armchair in Australia and flagrantly sacrificed the lives of the gullible. I ask my fellow Muslims to confer with our scholars who have proper qualifications and have always called us to peace even when we needed to resolve conflicts. Indeed we should immediately be alert and turn away from those who incite anger and violence in every sentence they post."

Such extremist, violent beliefs have no place in our multiracial and multi-religious country. The Government will be alert to spot such individuals, but we need everyone's help to uphold and protect our harmonious way of life. Together, we can stay united and strong. - 

Comments by Minister of MEWR, Mr Masagos Zulkifli

I am dismayed by the recent arrests of the self-radicalised Singaporeans... No country can also fully block the Internet and prevent what comes in. What is more important is the resilience and cohesion of the nation and our people. Hence, quick action by citizens to report any potential threats to the authorities is critical to combat the spread of extremism." 

Comments by Minister for MCI and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

The threat of radicalisation and extremism is real as recent incidents worldwide and the local arrests show. The path to radicalisation begins with sympathising and identifying with radical ideologies...

Traditional Islamic concepts such as the 'caliphate' are also misappropriated by such groups for their destructive and violent ends. For Muslims in Singapore, there is no incompatibility nor contradiction between practising Islam and living in Singapore."

- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/he-planned-set-islamic-state-here#sthash.agbMCzNj.dpuf

He planned to set up Islamic State here (2016)

HE PLANNED TO SET UP ISLAMIC STATE HERE

S'POREAN DETAINED UNDER ISA FOR PROMOTING ISIS, RADICALISING OTHERS

- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/he-planned-set-islamic-state-here#sthash.agbMCzNj.dpuf

Jul 30, 2016 6:00am

BY LINETTE HENG

An Australian-based Singaporean who portrayed himself as a social activist has been arrested for promoting terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and armed jihad.

Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, 44, was arrested this month while visiting Singapore, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said yesterday.

He has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two years.

He is accused of using online platforms to propagate and spread his radical messages - which include glorifying ISIS and their violent actions and exhorting Muslims to take up arms in places like the Middle East, Palestinian territories, Myanmar and the Philippines.

At least two other Singaporeans were radicalised as a result.

One of them, Singaporean businessman Mohamed Saiddhin Abdullah, 33, identified Zulfikar, who was his Facebook friend, as the person who had influenced him to support ISIS. (See report, right.)

The other person, Muhammad Shamin Mohamed Sidik, 29, was detained under the ISA last year for terrorism-related activities.

Zulfikar had also planned to hold training programmes to persuade young Singaporeans to join his extremist agenda of replacing Singapore's secular, democratic system with an Islamic state, by violence if necessary, said the MHA.

Zulfikar is no stranger to controversy.

He rose to prominence in 2002 after he campaigned for the authorities to allow four Muslim girls to wear Islamic headscarves, or tudung, to school.

In May that year, Zulfikar was charged with trespassing at Tanglin police station. He had refused to leave the station after there was an illegal May Day rally at the Istana.

Zulfikar, a married father of six, was the former head of Muslim website Fateha, which was eventually shut down.

In 2002, he fled to Australia amid a police probe into a criminal defamation case for three articles that were posted on the Fateha website.

Zulfikar also made the news in 2014 as an active member of the Wear White movement, which opposes homosexuality and the gay rights event Pink Dot.

COMMENTARY

The Straits Times, which published Zulfikar's commentary on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in May this year, reported that he is a final-year PhD candidate at La Trobe University in Melbourne who researches International Institutionalism with a focus on Asean.

The MHA said Zulfikar was influenced as early as 2001 by jihadi-related material and was supportive of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and the Jemaah Islamiah.

In Australia, he continued to pursue radical ideology by joining the hard-line Hizbut Tahrir organisation.

He was also influenced by the teachings of a cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, who spread his extremist views online and was killed by a US-led drone strike in Yemen in 2011.

Like Awlaki, - a US-born Al-Qaeda leader - Zulfikar had an online presence and was active on Facebook and Twitter.

He posted on a variety of subjects from his research to politics, but several of his Facebook posts in 2014 showed his radical side.

His last Facebook post was on June 25, where he shared a video on atheism.

The MHA release stated: "At times he has tried to hide his real motivations by putting out moderate-sounding views.

"But in reality, he believes in the use of violence to overthrow the democratic system of government and the imposition of an Islamic caliphate."

While in Australia, Zulfikar set up an online group called Al-Makhazin in 2013 and a Facebook page called Al-Makhazin Singapore.

The MHA said: "Zulfikar has admitted that he had an ulterior motive for setting up Al-Makhazin Singapore, which he used as a platform to agitate on Muslim issues in Singapore and attack some Singaporean Muslims who did not share his views.

"His real agenda was in fact to provoke Muslims in Singapore into pushing for the replacement of the democratic system with an Islamic state in Singapore."

Another clue to Zulfikar's radicalisation is a widely circulated photo - first posted on his Facebook account in 2014 - of him and his children mimicking a pose commonly used by ISIS fighters while standing in front of a black flag that is commonly used by ISIS fighters.

The MHA said: "The Government takes a very serious view of efforts to undermine Singapore's constitutional democracy, and will take firm and decisive action against any person who engages in such activities."

Comments by Mnister of Home Affairs and law, K. Shanmugam

He could turn 'normal' person into terrorist: Minister

Those who influence and motivate others to commit violence are more dangerous than those who go out and kill, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam yesterday.

Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, 44, who was arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act for terrorism activity, was an influencer, said Mr Shanmugam.

"He really wanted to brainwash Muslims in Singapore to reject the democratic nation state and instead have an Islamic caliphate," said Mr Shanmugam.

Mentioning how Zulfikar managed to radicalise Mohamed Saiddhin Abdullah, who was issued a Restriction Order this month, Mr Shanmugam said that Zulfikar is a "dangerous and pernicious influence" who is able to turn a "perfectly normal" person into a terrorist.

Mr Shanmugam also cited the example of Belgian preacher Zerkani, who influenced many young people to carry out terrorist attacks in Paris.

"The preachers and influencers stay under the radar, under the cover of religious freedom and freedom of speech," Mr Shanmugam said.

He explained that there was a clear difference between advocating a cause through social activism and glorifying terrorism.

Zulfikar had posted on social media, supporting the actions of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and promoting armed jihad.

"Radicalising people, recruiting people to go and fight overseas, glorifying ISIS and taking steps to say that there should be an Islamic caliphate in Singapore - I think that, for us, that crosses the line," said Mr Shanmugam.

Comments by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong 

Zulfikar's exhortations to take up his call to fight with ISIS has now radicalised at least one other. This is reprehensible and irresponsible; he sat on an armchair in Australia and flagrantly sacrificed the lives of the gullible. I ask my fellow Muslims to confer with our scholars who have proper qualifications and have always called us to peace even when we needed to resolve conflicts. Indeed we should immediately be alert and turn away from those who incite anger and violence in every sentence they post."

Such extremist, violent beliefs have no place in our multiracial and multi-religious country. The Government will be alert to spot such individuals, but we need everyone's help to uphold and protect our harmonious way of life. Together, we can stay united and strong. - 

Comments by Minister of MEWR, Mr Masagos Zulkifli

I am dismayed by the recent arrests of the self-radicalised Singaporeans... No country can also fully block the Internet and prevent what comes in. What is more important is the resilience and cohesion of the nation and our people. Hence, quick action by citizens to report any potential threats to the authorities is critical to combat the spread of extremism." 

Comments by Minister for MCI and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

The threat of radicalisation and extremism is real as recent incidents worldwide and the local arrests show. The path to radicalisation begins with sympathising and identifying with radical ideologies...

Traditional Islamic concepts such as the 'caliphate' are also misappropriated by such groups for their destructive and violent ends. For Muslims in Singapore, there is no incompatibility nor contradiction between practising Islam and living in Singapore."

- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/he-planned-set-islamic-state-here#sthash.agbMCzNj.dpuf

NUS Student Dunking Video 2016

NUS STUDENT DUNKING VIDEO WAS LAST STRAW

NUS 'DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED' BY LATEST INFRINGEMENT, SUSPENDS ALL STUDENT-LED FRESHMAN ACTIVITIES

Jul 30, 016 6:00am

BY DAVID SUN

They were warned not to conduct inappropriate activities for freshmen but did so anyway.

Now, because of a handful of undergraduates, all student-organised freshman activities have been suspended at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The activities suspended include Orientation Week, also known as O Week, a five-day event that was scheduled to happen next week.

It was to be the final orientation camp before the school semester begins.

The unexpected measure follows the controversy over how some of the games at the orientation camps had become sexualised.

 The last straw appears to be a video that surfaced yesterday, showing students conducting dunking and ragging activities at Sheares Hall on Wednesday.

In the video, four students can be seen grabbing a limb of another student and dunking him into a body of water repeatedly while singing.

This was also carried out on a female student.

Another segment of the video then showed topless male students crawling on the floor while chanting obscenities.

NUS has since confirmed the video.

In a strongly-worded statement to the media yesterday, a spokesman for NUS said such activities were not condoned but were still carried out despite previous instructions on the matter.

"We are deeply disappointed that some of our students have flouted the rules and behaved in an unacceptable manner in organising freshmen activities," she said.

"Dunking or any other form of ragging is strictly banned under the university's guidelines for student activities.

"The university takes a very serious view of this breach and is currently conducting an investigation."

The spokesman added that all student-organised team-building activities for freshmen have been suspended until further notice.

The New Paper understands that ongoing camps were stopped halfway because of the suspension, and the participants were told to go home.

The suspension and video come in the wake of current investigations of the union camp and arts camp at NUS.

On Tuesday, TNP reported that orientation games at some of these camps had become sexualised.

In the report, one freshman told TNP that she was asked whose bodily fluids she would drink, while another watched her peers re-enact an incestuous rape scene as part of a forfeit.

Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung also put up a post on Facebook on Wednesday evening, condemning the sexualised activities at NUS' orientation camps as "reprehensible".

Yesterday, the NUS spokesman said that those responsible will be brought before the university's board of discipline.

"The instances of unacceptable behaviour and activities that have surfaced this week play no part in a university education," the spokesman said.

"The university is conducting thorough investigations into these unacceptable as well as unauthorised activities."

EXCEPTIONS

However, some activities for the freshmen are to continue.

The spokesman said: "The freshmen inauguration ceremonies, welcome receptions by deans, heads of department and masters, as well as faculty and department briefings, will continue as scheduled.

"The Nussu Rag and Flag activities, which raise funds for 22 Singapore charities, will continue."

NUS undergrad Janella Ooi, 21, is a committee member of one of the events that was affected by the suspension.

She said they had spent about half a year planning the event and a lot of their own money.

"We are really sad because our juniors put in a lot of effort and now it is completely undone," she said.

"But personally, I understand (the decision to suspend activities), and I was extremely appalled by the forfeit that promoted rape culture."

She added that Orientation Week was to be a time for freshmen to get used to university life, but that opportunity has now been taken away.

She said: "I feel that NUS could perhaps have some official who could oversee the activities to ensure that these rules are adhered to strictly."

Miss Hui Yan, 26, a marketing executive and NUS alumna, said she was previously a camp facilitator and feels that the rest of the school is being punished for the actions of just a few.

"It is an incredibly superficial and shortsighted move on the school's part, thinking that removing a one-week event will solve deep-rooted issues of sexual harassment and misogyny once and for all," she said.

"Careful planning has gone into the logistics in terms of ensuring overall safety and modesty at most of the camps.

"And organisers will feel frustration and betrayal by the school authorities for seeking a short-term solution instead of formulating a proper resolution in view of the amount of time (that has) gone into planning."

- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/nus-student-dunking-video-was-last-straw#sthash.eBdhgxy3.dpuf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKw2_z6Fqno

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHrZxwm8xzY

More parents abroad register babies as citizens 14 April 2016

More Singaporean parents living abroad are registering their children as citizens.

There were 1,600 children born overseas to at least one Singaporean parent who were registered as citizens last year. They made up 8 per cent of the 20,815 total citizenships registered last year.

This is up from the 1,200 such children registered on average each year from 2006 to 2010, and the 1,400 registered on average each year from 2011 to 2015.

Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings. 

The increase is a result of more Singaporeans living, working or studying overseas for extended periods, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Josephine Teo said yesterday.

There are 210,000 such citizens now, a 30 per cent rise compared with 160,000 a decade ago. "This shows how Singaporeans are increasingly mobile and welcomed by employers and educational institutions internationally," she said during the debate on spending plans of the Prime Minister's Office.

Mrs Teo, who oversees population matters, said the Government has kept a "calibrated pace of immigration" to prevent the citizen population from shrinking.

Apart from the new citizenships granted last year, there were 29,955 others given permanent residency.

Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings. 

Mrs Teo said more should be done to help new citizens deepen their sense of belonging here. She suggested they get involved in all aspects of local life, including learning to speak local languages and taking an interest in issues that concern fellow Singaporeans. "Most important of all, they must understand our roots as a multiracial and multicultural society," she said.

Agreeing with MPs Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Rahayu Mahzam (Jurong GRC), she encouraged Singaporeans to remain open to people of diverse backgrounds.

Mrs Teo said immigration measures will not fully meet the country's growing workforce needs. But rather than grow the population more quickly through immigration, "we have decided to press on with the restructuring of our economy towards one that is less dependent on manpower for growth", she said.

As such, the growth of the foreign workforce has slowed considerably, she noted. The Government is also trying to equip Singaporeans with more skills so they can remain relevant through measures like SkillsFuture, she added.

Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings. 

"Our vision must be a Singapore that is cohesive and open, where Singaporeans feel a sense of connectedness wherever they are in the world... and at the same time, have the capacity to welcome new additions to our family whether for a period of time or for good."

Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings. - See more at: http://www.gov.sg/news/content/the-straits-times-more-parents-abroad-register-babies-as-citizens#sthash.ZplLX4y6.dpuf

http://www.gov.sg/news/content/the-straits-times-more-parents-abroad-register-babies-as-citizens