Discriminatory circular for Ramzan: Singapore Islamic body clarifies

Singapore: After the row following the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) asking migrant Bangladeshi Muslim workers to offer Ramzan prayers at their dormitories this week, the Singapore Islamic body a clarification on Monday that the said workers are not being discriminated against in the country and can use any prayer space, PTI reported.

The initial advisory by the body caught the attention of social media and gathered negative comments. The

In the note addressed to migrant Bangladeshi Muslim workers, SBS (Singapore Bangladesh Society) said that Muis requested that they perform prayers for Aidilfitri (Eid) on April 22 in their respective dormitories.

"This will help to avoid overcrowding and road blockages and ensure the health and safety of everyone," the circular read.

A user commented, "This is absolutely ridiculous. Many of these migrant workers volunteer to carry out work during their precious days off in many of the mosques, as well as making generous donations from their wages."

Another suggested, "Can alternative arrangements be made? Transportation to spread (them) out? Funds to cater for additional space at selected locations?"

Muis said in its clarification that it acknowledges the contribution of migrant workers in local mosques and that the workers "have never been segregated". It noted the disappointment and anger in the community at how migrant workers were being restricted to their dorms.

It added that the advisory by SBS did not include the full arrangements that Muis, its partners and the mosques have taken to provide congregants, both local and foreign, with a comfortable and safe prayer experience.

"We have more than tripled the number of prayer spaces in dorms, which the SBS letter was highlighting to the MTWs (Muslim transient workers). We have also introduced over 20 supplementary venues for an additional 10,000 spaces in our housing estates islandwide," Muis said.

"We regret that the wording of the SBS circular did not provide the full scope of arrangements made for our MTWs and hope that this note clarifies," the clarification concluded.