The scarves ban in Singapore

The scarves ban in Singapore

The ban on the wearing of headscarves by female high school
and university students in Singapore has finally led to an
international diplomatic row. As has been widely reported, two
Muslim Malay students were barred from attending school for
violating a ruling forbidding the wearing of headscarves, which
are considered religious symbols.

A third student, Khairiah Faroukh, aged 6, was barred from
school on Monday for not complying with school regulations
forbidding the wearing of headscarves. She left school minutes
after entering the compound, holding her father's hand, Reuters
newsagency reported.

Singapore's government's position is that allowing the scarves
"would harm national unity by highlighting racial differences".
One could add that racial differences in Singapore are almost
congruent with religious differences, meaning that only girls
from Muslim families would wear headscarves in public places.

Malay Muslims account for about 15 percent of Singapore's 4
million people. The majority ethnic Chinese Buddhists and
Christians comprise some 80 percent of the population, and the
ethnic Indian Hindus make up most of the remainder. The male Sikh
population who are part of the Indian community in Singapore and
who wear their traditional headware are apparently not considered
to potentially endanger the national unity of Singapore.

What concerns us regarding this ban on Malay Muslim students
wearing headscarves to school is that it has caused such an
intense reaction in neighboring Malaysia, not only among societal
leaders, but also in official circles, as expressed by some
government officials.

Malaysia's Deputy Education Minister Abdul Azis Shamsuddin
appealed to the Singapore authorities to review this policy
regarding the banning of scarves for students. As was to be
expected, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by
reminding their Malaysian counterparts not to interfere in the
island state's internal affairs.

However, it is quite likely there will be further reactions to
this ban, not only in Malaysia among both religious leaders and
government officials, but in other neighboring countries as well,
among Singapore's partners in ASEAN, where more critical
reactions against the measure can be expected. Simply saying that
the matter is purely an internal affair of Singapore does not
easily solve the problem.

The problem is that this seemingly insignificant incident has
exposed the psychological frame of mind of people in Singapore's
neighboring countries. There is a kind of deep-seated envy which
has developed among Singapore's neighbors which so far has been
smoldering under the surface which so far has been covered up for
the sake of ASEAN solidarity.

There is a strong feeling, most probably unjustified, that
Singapore has managed to reap the best of all worlds. Because of
its granting of docking facilities for U.S. vessels, including
its huge aircraft carriers, obviously since September 11
Singapore enjoys the informal special protection from U.S.
security agencies. This is particularly true after recent
revelations that, apparently, elements which are believed to have
connections with the al-Qaeda terrorist organization at one time
were operating in Singapore.

In the areas of economy and trade, Singapore also seemed to
have been able to use the opportunity that has arisen in the wake
of the 1997 monetary crisis. The Japan-Singapore Economic
Agreement for a New Partnership which was signed last month
during the visit of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi provides
Singapore with special trading facilities for entering the
Japanese market.

Of course, countries such as Indonesia will eventually benefit
from that agreement as a side impact. The point that we want to
stress is that Singapore's advantageous position in Southeast
Asia, no doubt achieved through hard work and smart planning, has
created a certain psychological gap between it and some of its
neighbors. The banning of headscarves for students
unintentionally could develop into a more serious issue because
of its religious overtones.

That is why we appeal to the Singapore government to handle
this issue with the utmost wisdom and statesmanship. It is not in
the interest of our region, or that of Singapore-Indonesia
relations, nor to Singapore's own national interest if this issue
blossoms into a full scale imbroglio.

After all it is in Indonesia's interest, and we presume also
that of the region, that Singapore remains a modern and stable
center for science and technology, banking and business, a
transportation hub and center of comprehensive information -- a
Singapore that constantly displays its empathy with the region
and is sensitive to the social and religious views of its
neighboring countries.