https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/several-mosques-received-suspicious-parcels-with-meat-shanmugam-warns-this-is-playing-with-fire
Several mosques received suspicious parcels with meat; Shanmugam warns ‘this is playing with fire’
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Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam stressed that targeting a place of worship is completely unacceptable, and Singapore has zero tolerance for such acts.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE - A suspicious parcel which led to the evacuation of Al-Istiqamah Mosque in Serangoon North on Sept 24 contained meat, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.
And it was not the only mosque affected.
He stressed that targeting a place of worship is completely unacceptable, and Singapore has zero tolerance for such acts.
Speaking to the media at the mosque on Sept 25, he said the authorities were still confirming what the meat was, but at first sight, it appeared to be pork.
He said regardless of the parcel’s contents, the act was inflammatory, and investigations were ongoing.
Said Mr Shanmugam: “Whatever the motive, this is playing with fire. We are treating this matter very seriously. We will deal firmly with anyone found responsible.”
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said similar incidents have happened very recently at other mosques around Singapore.
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He declined to elaborate on whether they were linked to
the Al-Istiqamah Mosque incident
, but said these cases have been reported to the police.Said Mr Shanmugam: “I want to be careful about speculating. We don’t know who did it. We don’t know what the motives are. But so far, these series of incidents seem to be targeted only at mosques.”
He said the police have stepped up visits to mosques, and will continue to do so.
But he also pointed to the incident of a Catholic priest who was
attacked in St Joseph’s Church
in Bukit Timah in November 2024, and cautioned against turning places of worship into fortresses.Mr Shanmugam said: “They are open places. Open to the public.
“Police will act based on intelligence, and places of worship also have their own security arrangements. Police have advised them on what kind of arrangements they ought to make.”
On Sept 24, the police said they were alerted to the incident at the Serangoon North mosque at about 5.20pm.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for assistance at about 5.45pm and that its hazardous materials specialists did not find harmful substances.
The police were alerted to the incident at the Al-Istiqamah Mosque at about 5.20pm on Sept 24.
PHOTO: ST FILE
One person experiencing breathlessness was taken to Sengkang General Hospital.
Mr Shanmugam said that individual has since been discharged.
In a Facebook post on Sept 25, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said daily prayers had resumed at the mosque.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim
for pre-dawn prayers.Mr Shanmugam said such incidents are common in other countries, and can create distrust between communities by deepening divisions.
He warned that Singapore could face the same outcome if the nation is not careful in dealing with the issue.
He added: “People really should be able to practise their religion in an atmosphere of trust and faith, and with mutual respect.”
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