SINGAPORE – The National Council of Churches (NCCS) and other Christian leaders in Singapore on Wednesday (Jan 27) expressed sadness, shock and concern at the revelation that a local teenager of Protestant faith had plotted to attack two mosques and kill Muslim worshippers here.
They also decried his actions as unrepresentative of the Christian faith and its teachings.
The student, 16, is the youngest person detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for terrorism-related activities, and the first to be inspired by far-right extremist ideology.
The NCCS expressed its appreciation to the authorities for its swift action, which it said could have led to serious injury to Muslims.
“NCCS treasures the special relationship it has with the Muslim community… It wishes to assure our Muslim friends that there is no animosity between our communities, and that we remain committed to defeating hatred and violence,” it said in a statement signed by its president Reverend Keith Lai and general secretary Reverend Ngoei Foong Nghian.
The Council told The Straits Times it would meet Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, the highest Islamic authority in Singapore, and Muslim leaders on Thursday.
A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice: 