SINGAPORE – An Islamic religious teacher, or asatizah, has been counselled by a regulatory body after he posted an allegation that asatizahs opposing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community had been issued warning letters.
The asatizah had made various Facebook posts between December 2021 and February 2022 which used “inappropriate and inflammatory language that could incite hatred and disrespect towards members of the LGBT+ community in Singapore”, said the statement, which did not name him. Despite this, the asatizah went on to make an allegation, through a comment on social media, that “asatizahs who opposed the LGBT+ are given warning letters”. The “+” refers to sexual identities other than LGBT ones.Still, Muis and ARB said the comment was “misleading”, and the ARB met with the asatizah to address the allegation and remind him of their earlier advice, adding they would “continue to guide and counsel such asatizah who have shown sincere remorse for their actions”.