Singapore Expels Indian Imam For Making Remarks Against Christians, Jews During Friday Prayers

Singapore's interior ministry on Monday ordered the expulsion of an Indian imam, named Nalla Mohamed Abdul Jameel, for making unacceptable comments against Jews and Christians during his Friday sermon at a mosque in the city-state. The accused has also been handed a $3,000 fine by the court after he pleaded guilty to the charge of promoting enmity between different groups.

A video of the 47-year-old imam, in which he made objectionable remarks against Jews during Friday prayers, went viral on Facebook in February. This triggered a police investigation and the filing of charges.

Singapore's interior ministry will deport the Imam in the next few days. "Recent events abroad have highlighted how the build-up of anger and resentment among different religious groups can lead to social friction and violence," the ministry has said, adding that the country will not “allow anyone to preach or act divisively and justify that by reference to a religious text”.

District Judge Jasvender Kaur said Singapore “cannot allow any person or group to sow discord or promote enmity among the different religious groups when we have worked so to achieve religious harmony”.

Kaur said that she has imposed only a fine because the accused has apologised in front of Christian, Sikh, Taoist, Buddhist and Hindu representatives in Singapore. After the police concluded investigations, Nalla visited the Maghain Aboth Synagogue to extend his apology to the Jewish community in Singapore.