Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Yaacob says approach casinos with pragmatism

Prime News
Muslims urged to view decision with pragmatism285 words
19 April 2005
Straits Times
STIMES
English
(c) 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
THOUGH many Muslims in Singapore are likely to be disappointed with the Government's decision on the casino, they have been urged to approach it with pragmatism.
In the months leading up to yesterday's announcement, several Malay-Muslim organisations had voiced their opposition to the casino proposal. They included Singapore's highest Islamic authority - the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
In Parliament yesterday, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim expressed confidence that the Muslim community would respect the difference between public and private morality.
Their customarily pragmatic approach, he said, has enabled the community to be both good Muslims and good Singaporeans in a multiracial and multi-religious Singapore.
Dr Yaacob said that while there are many aspects of life in Singapore that Muslims would consider to be vices, these have been accepted as 'part of the wider landscape'.
'We understand that in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, it is not tenable for government policies to be dictated by the views of any one group or groups.'
The objections of certain religious groups to matters such as abortion and the use of contraception have not led to them being banned here, he pointed out.
A recent Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports survey found few Malays were involved in gambling, which is prohibited under Islam. Those values will play a large part in Singapore's efforts to minimise the social costs of allowing casinos here, Dr Yaacob said.
'What we believe is good and right for society, we should share with others in a gracious and respectful way through dialogue and education, without imposing on others,' he said.
AZHAR GHANI

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