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Singapore denies Abdul Somad entry, citing the preacher's 'extremist views'
Singapore has barred the entry of Indonesian Muslim preacher Abdul Somad Batubara, citing the preacher’s “extremist and segregationist teachings.”
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Abdul Somad Batubara. (-/-)
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ingapore has barred the entry of Indonesian Muslim preacher Abdul Somad Batubara, citing the preacher’s “extremist and segregationist teachings.”
Abdul Somad Batubara and his entourage of six family members and friends arrived at Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at 2:30 p.m. on Monday from Batam, Riau Islands.
Soon after arrival at port, Abdul Somad was told to wait for three hours and was interrogated by Singaporean immigration authorities for an hour before being refused entry, and told to return to Indonesia by the last available ferry.
In a statement, Singapore’s Home Ministry said that Abdul Somad's preachings were “unacceptable for Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society.”
The Singaporean ministry cited Abdul Somad’s preaching that suicide bombings were legitimate in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, considering them as martyrdom, as well as his comments deemed denigrating of members of other faith communities and public-related non-Muslims as kafirs (infidels).
“A visitor’s entry into Singapore is neither automatic nor a right. Each case is assessed on its own merits. Although Somad attempted to enter Singapore ostensibly for a social visit, the Singapore government takes a serious view of any persons who advocate violence and/or espouse extremist and segregationist teachings,” Singapore’s Home Ministry said in a statement published on Tuesday.
Previously, Abdul Somad’s refused entry prompted the Indonesian Embassy to Singapore to send a diplomatic note to Singapore’s Foreign Ministry and a communication to Singapore’s immigration and checkpoints authority asking the reasons for Abdul Somad being ineligible for entry to Singapore.
