Mosques, Police on Guard Against Potential Threats During Ramadan

The Straits Times

20 April 2021

As Muslims mark the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan, mosques have increased their focus on detecting potential threats to their buildings and worshippers. The police have also continued patrols at places of worship, which they recently stepped up for the Easter weekend of April 2 to 4.This comes on top of tightened security checks, similar to airport screening, kicking off at some MRT stations from April 1. Days later, on April 5, a new law was proposed in Parliament, allowing the police and authorised personnel to frisk-search bus and train commuters. RSIS Senior Analyst Jasminder Singh, saying the heightened security measures should not come as a surprise as Singapore prepares to open its borders and host big events. During religious periods like Ramadan, increased spiritual motivation, notions of martyrdom and afterlife rewards, plus the tactical advantage of having more people to target are all motivating factors for an attack, said Research Fellow Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman from the RSIS. “Terrorists are also known to sow disinformation by misconstruing the context and circumstances of the battles that happened during Ramadan many centuries ago,” he said. “In the call to arms, either by armies or terrorists, invoking memories of past victorious battles is an enduring propaganda strategy. “RSIS Senior Analyst Jasminder Singh said that as Singapore prepares to open its borders in the coming months, and host major global events, stepped-up security measures should not come as a surprise. “These are not just pre-emptive deterrents, but part and parcel of Singapore’s confidence-building measures,” he noted. “They signal to the national, regional and global community that Singapore takes security very seriously and has the track record to show for it.” Dr Jones and RSIS Visiting Fellow Noor Huda Ismail said migrant workers in the region, including domestic helpers, remain susceptible to online radicalisation. In recent years, Singapore has detained or repatriated such individuals for terrorism-related activities. Dr Noor Huda, a former member of Indonesian hardline group Darul Islam, called for a community-level response. “The Government alone will not be able to tackle this issue. Taking down all websites will only stop them temporarily,” he said. “You need to really tackle the root causes – the questions of belonging, attachment. Any initiative to prevent radicalisation must link with initiatives on well-being.”

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