Investigation Into Bangladeshi Preacher Amir Hamza’s Sermon in Singapore on 9 August 2024

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs is investigating Bangladeshi national Hamza Md Amir @ Amir Hamza who had illegally preached to a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers at a migrant worker dormitory in Singapore on 9 August 2024, as well as the the organiser of the event, and other persons involved in the event.

2. Amir Hamza’s sermon propagated extremist and segregationist teachings that were dangerous, and detrimental to Singapore’s communal harmony.

Background of Amir Hamza

3. Amir Hamza has attracted security attention in Bangladesh for his alleged extremist teachings and terror links.  He has reportedly promoted religious intolerance, hatred and violence in his sermons.  He is also alleged to be an influential figure in Ansar al-Islam (AAI), a pro-Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh.

4. In 2021, Amir Hamza was arrested by the Bangladeshi government for his purported terror links, for terrorism-related activities and for inciting militancy.  His incendiary speeches were alleged to have influenced a Bangladeshi AAI-linked terror suspect who had plotted to attack the Bangladesh Parliament.  Amir Hamza had reportedly admitted to deliberately misinterpreting religious teachings and spreading extremism through his sermons.  He was reportedly released on bail in December 2023 while awaiting trial.

5. ISD is aware of Amir Hamza and his background. However, he had used a passport which bore a name different from that in our databases to enter Singapore, and we did not have his biometrics at the time of his entry into Singapore on 9 August 2024. He left Singapore on 10 August 2024.  On 12 August 2024, the authorities received police reports that he had preached to a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Singapore on 9 August 2024.

Issues of Concern in Sermon

6. In his sermon, Amir Hamza espoused extremist and segregationist views.  He inferred that non-Muslims are ” kafir ” (infidels).  He also held up alleged Bangladeshi extremists as bastions of religious piety, including several leaders of the Islamist party Jamaat e-Islami, which is banned in Bangladesh, and whose members had been arrested for involvement in alleged terrorist activities.

7. Amir Hamza had also politicised his sermon. He labelled the previous Bangladeshi government led by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as “oppressors”, and claimed that they had sentenced individuals to death for opposing them.  He also claimed that victory will come when Bangladesh becomes an “Islamic country”.

8. Neither Amir Hamza nor the organiser had applied for the necessary approval for him to give a sermon in Singapore.

No Tolerance for Extremism, Segregationism, and Importation of Foreign Politics

9. The authorities are investigating into the persons involved in the event, including the organiser, and will take strong action if they are found to have breached our laws, or pose security concern.  This includes deportation, prosecution or detention under the Internal Security Act.

10. The Singapore Government takes a very serious view of hate and extremist speech.  We will not tolerate anyone, foreign or local, spreading and promoting views that threaten Singapore’s security, or our racial and religious harmony.

11. Foreigners should also not import their politics into Singapore, and carry out activities here in pursuit of such agenda.

12. The public is reminded that foreigners who wish to conduct talks in Singapore that are religious, cause-based or political in nature are required to obtain a Miscellaneous Work Pass.  In addition, public assemblies in Singapore are regulated under the Public Order Act 2009, and organising or participating in a public assembly without a Police permit constitutes an offence.

13. Despite our best efforts, some people of security concern will slip through our checks and get into Singapore because we are open and welcoming to the world.  The public can help us by staying vigilant, and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to the authorities.