Singapore, Nov 6 – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has met with the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim and other Malay People’s Action Party MPs to discuss the hijab issue Tuesday.
In his facebook posting, the prime minister said: “Had a meeting with Yaacob and Malay PAP MPs this afternoon (Tuesday).
Yaacob, who is Minister for Communications and Information in his page meanwhile said: Today (Tuesday) my Malay PAP MP colleagues and I met PM.
“We had a good discussion. We’re glad for PM’s understanding that this issue is important to many Muslims. PM stressed that his aim was to create an environment where Muslims and other faiths can practise their religions freely and peacefully.
“But he also explained why we must manage and balance the diverse needs of our multi-racial and multi-religious society. Hence the need for accommodation and compromise by all parties,” the minister said.
Yaacob said” “We agreed that we must all continually work towards better mutual understanding of these diverse needs.”
Saying that constructive dialogue is the best way forward, he said: “This is the Singapore way, and has served everyone well over the years.
“As I mentioned before, it will take time, but we will find practical solutions if we continue to engage with goodwill,” added Yaacob.
It was reported that the hijab issue was first raised at a forum on race in September, when a polytechnic lecturer asked why nurses were barred from wearing the Muslim headscarf and sparked a debate on whether front-line officers should be allowed to.
– Bernama
