Foreign Preachers Ismail Menk and Haslin Bin Baharim Not Allowed to Enter Singapore

1.        The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in consultation with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), Singapore Tourism Board and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, will not allow two foreign preachers, Ismail Menk and Haslin bin Baharim, to enter Singapore. It has come to the Government's knowledge that they have been engaged to preach on a religious-themed cruise departing and ending in Singapore from 25 to 29 November 2017.

2.       Ismail Menk and Haslin bin Baharim had previously had their Miscellaneous Work Pass applications to preach in Singapore rejected. They will not be allowed to get around the ban by preaching instead on cruise ships which operate to and from Singapore.  Ismail Menk has been known to preach segregationist and divisive teachings. For example, he preached that it is the biggest sin and crime for a Muslim to wish a non-Muslim Merry Christmas or Happy Deepavali, in short, that Muslims are not allowed to wish others happiness during the latter's religious festivals. Haslin bin Baharim has expressed views that promote disharmony between Muslims and non-Muslims, whom he describes as "deviant". Such divisive views breed intolerance and exclusivist practices that will damage social harmony, and cause communities to drift apart. They are unacceptable in the context of Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society.

3.       The Government has a responsibility to safeguard social cohesion and religious harmony in Singapore. Singaporeans too, need to play their part, to unequivocally reject and guard against divisive doctrines and preachers who propagate such doctrines, regardless of the faith they represent. They are detrimental to our society and way of life, and will undermine the fundamentals of Singapore's peace and progress.