The scarves ban in Singapore<\/p>\n
The ban on the wearing of headscarves by female high school
\nand university students in Singapore has finally led to an
\ninternational diplomatic row. As has been widely reported, two
\nMuslim Malay students were barred from attending school for
\nviolating a ruling forbidding the wearing of headscarves, which
\nare considered religious symbols.<\/p>\n
A third student, Khairiah Faroukh, aged 6, was barred from
\nschool on Monday for not complying with school regulations
\nforbidding the wearing of headscarves. She left school minutes
\nafter entering the compound, holding her father's hand, Reuters
\nnewsagency reported.<\/p>\n
Singapore's government's position is that allowing the scarves
\n\"would harm national unity by highlighting racial differences\".
\nOne could add that racial differences in Singapore are almost
\ncongruent with religious differences, meaning that only girls
\nfrom Muslim families would wear headscarves in public places.<\/p>\n
Malay Muslims account for about 15 percent of Singapore's 4
\nmillion people. The majority ethnic Chinese Buddhists and
\nChristians comprise some 80 percent of the population, and the
\nethnic Indian Hindus make up most of the remainder. The male Sikh
\npopulation who are part of the Indian community in Singapore and
\nwho wear their traditional headware are apparently not considered
\nto potentially endanger the national unity of Singapore.<\/p>\n
What concerns us regarding this ban on Malay Muslim students
\nwearing headscarves to school is that it has caused such an
\nintense reaction in neighboring Malaysia, not only among societal
\nleaders, but also in official circles, as expressed by some
\ngovernment officials.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's Deputy Education Minister Abdul Azis Shamsuddin
\nappealed to the Singapore authorities to review this policy
\nregarding the banning of scarves for students. As was to be
\nexpected, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by
\nreminding their Malaysian counterparts not to interfere in the
\nisland state's internal affairs.<\/p>\n
However, it is quite likely there will be further reactions to
\nthis ban, not only in Malaysia among both religious leaders and
\ngovernment officials, but in other neighboring countries as well,
\namong Singapore's partners in ASEAN, where more critical
\nreactions against the measure can be expected. Simply saying that
\nthe matter is purely an internal affair of Singapore does not
\neasily solve the problem.<\/p>\n
The problem is that this seemingly insignificant incident has
\nexposed the psychological frame of mind of people in Singapore's
\nneighboring countries. There is a kind of deep-seated envy which
\nhas developed among Singapore's neighbors which so far has been
\nsmoldering under the surface which so far has been covered up for
\nthe sake of ASEAN solidarity.<\/p>\n
There is a strong feeling, most probably unjustified, that
\nSingapore has managed to reap the best of all worlds. Because of
\nits granting of docking facilities for U.S. vessels, including
\nits huge aircraft carriers, obviously since September 11
\nSingapore enjoys the informal special protection from U.S.
\nsecurity agencies. This is particularly true after recent
\nrevelations that, apparently, elements which are believed to have
\nconnections with the al-Qaeda terrorist organization at one time
\nwere operating in Singapore.<\/p>\n
In the areas of economy and trade, Singapore also seemed to
\nhave been able to use the opportunity that has arisen in the wake
\nof the 1997 monetary crisis. The Japan-Singapore Economic
\nAgreement for a New Partnership which was signed last month
\nduring the visit of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi provides
\nSingapore with special trading facilities for entering the
\nJapanese market.<\/p>\n
Of course, countries such as Indonesia will eventually benefit
\nfrom that agreement as a side impact. The point that we want to
\nstress is that Singapore's advantageous position in Southeast
\nAsia, no doubt achieved through hard work and smart planning, has
\ncreated a certain psychological gap between it and some of its
\nneighbors. The banning of headscarves for students
\nunintentionally could develop into a more serious issue because
\nof its religious overtones.<\/p>\n
That is why we appeal to the Singapore government to handle
\nthis issue with the utmost wisdom and statesmanship. It is not in
\nthe interest of our region, or that of Singapore-Indonesia
\nrelations, nor to Singapore's own national interest if this issue
\nblossoms into a full scale imbroglio.<\/p>\n
After all it is in Indonesia's interest, and we presume also
\nthat of the region, that Singapore remains a modern and stable
\ncenter for science and technology, banking and business, a
\ntransportation hub and center of comprehensive information -- a
\nSingapore that constantly displays its empathy with the region
\nand is sensitive to the social and religious views of its
\nneighboring countries.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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