MUIS tells Singapore mosques to adopt ‘non-confrontational’ approach towards LGBT community: report

The Islamic Authority of Singapore (MUIS) has distributed internal advisories to mosques in Singapore, reminding them to adopt a “non-confrontational approach” towards people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, TODAY online reported on Saturday.

Reasons for this include preventing those people from distancing themselves from the religion, getting into unnecessary arguments with them and giving them bad publicity.

While MUIS maintains that they do not support the promotion of LGBT lifestyles, “support and help” must be given to those who have been or are inclined to lead such lifestyles, the report said.

MUIS also reminded mosques to refrain from organising programmes that oppose these people, and avoid getting involved in the “crossfire” between “Wear White” and “Pink Dot”.

‘Wear White’ vs ‘Pink Dot’

Theadvisories came after a “Wear White” campaign was launched on Facebook on 6 June to “remind Muslims not to participate” in the Pink Dot event, which rallies support for the LGBT community. Pink Dot is happening on 28 June at Hong Lim Park, which is also the eve of the first day of Ramadan - the Muslim holy fasting month.  

The “Wear White” campaign, which was reportedly launched by an Islamic religious teacher, has also called on its supporters to wear clothes in white during an evening prayer that will be held on the same day.  

The “Wear White” campaign sparked strong reactions from members of the community, including Singapore playwright Alfian Sa’at, who shared concerns on Facebook over the way the campaign organisers had expressed their views, using words such as “incendiary”, among others, to describe them.
 
In another post on Friday he said that the “combatory” and “accusing tone” used was “unbecoming for a religion that promotes peace”.

Church network joins ‘Wear White’
Members of the Faith Community Baptist Church, led by senior pastor Lawrence Khong, as well as the LoveNetwork of churches in Singapore have reportedly joined the “Wear White” campaign as well.

“I’m so happy that Singapore’s Muslim community is making a vocal and visual stand for morality and Family. I fully support the ‘wear white’ campaign...,” Khong was quoted as saying.

Earlier in May, a Red Dot Family Moment event organised by the Touch Family Services that was slated to take place at the Padang on 28 June was cancelled. The Urban Redevelopment Authority had deemed it unsuitable for the venue.

Yahoo Singapore has contacted MUIS for comments.