What a lot of the asatizah working with the ISD do not realise is how they are used by the government to promote a particular narrative. This narrative supports the governments position, or at least absolves them from criticism. And while they may have good intentions in the actions they take, they legitimise the system and state actions while placing most if not all the blame on Muslims. The RRG was created by the ISD ostensibly to help counsel Jemaah Islamiah detainees. It is argued that JI members had a mistaken understanding of Islam and these asatizah help to bring them back to a proper understanding of Islam. Insha Allah with counselling and education, they can be released from detention and return to society. All of this sounds good and positive. If only it is so simple. While there is a need to counsel those who mistake jihad to simply mean violence anywhere, the RRG legitimise the preferred ISD and Singapore government position. The groups public involvement not only locate the problem on these detainees understanding of Islam, but it also confine the issue to these detainees and their misunderstanding. This not only restrain further discussions that contribute to violent threats such as internal and external state policies, disenfranchisement etc, but it also absolves the state from being criticized for the policies they chose. The JI White Paper indicated that the targets were primarily US military personnel and structures. I agree that their grievance with the US attacks on Afghanistan and other Muslim societies cannot result in action that may cause civilian damage. But where are the discussions on Singapores foreign policies and alliance with the US? Where are the discussions about the threat of having the US Naval base? Where are the discussions on supporting the US in its war against Muslim societies? These discussions do not exist because the ISD and the state have successfully narrowed the problem simply to Muslim misunderstanding Islam. The JI members grievance and plans did not exist isolated from personal and communal sense of deprivation. The fact that they existed external from the main body of the Muslim community and its supposed leadership illustrates how they perceive Muslim leadership in Singapore. Yet, where are these discussions? Where are the arguments about reviewing the social and political leadership of Muslims in Singapore? Where are the discussions about consultation and process to allow grievances to be heard and possibly addressed? If a group can feel so isolated and willing to take violent action without concern for the society they live in, we need to look at and beyond their action and review the society too. But none of these discussions are given due consideration. While there may be some recognition of a broader issue, the RRG and its very function places all the blame on the detained. It narrows the scope of discussion. Should the detainees be counselled? Yes they should. But there are three main problems here: 1. RRG is seen as a group that not only refer to Islam, but also allied with the state. It needs to disentangle itself from the state. The state cannot detain them indefinitely without reference to recourse. Not anymore. They need the asatizah more than assumed. 2. There is no discussion on the views and concerns that the detainees have. Most, if not all that we have read so far are from the ISD and the government. RRG asatizah need to be able to publicly discuss the catalysts to JI plans. So far, these have been muted, either by choice or design. The fact that they only reference government positions further reduces the discussion to only matters that the government wants. 3. Some of their leaders have taken positions that go beyond simple counselling. They have instead, lend their support to government policies. Their role has also gone beyond counselling JI detainees. Their function should be understood to beyond simply counselling but as a tool for government policies for the Muslims in Singapore. In all, the RRG and those working with the ISD may have good intentions. But they had fallen into the trap of promoting a singular narrative. They have been used by the politicians to restrict discussions and absolve these politicians from criticism. The fault only resides with Muslims who misunderstand Islam. The government and its policies are innocent.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 02:37:59 +0000
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