Tag Archives: Zulfikar Shariff

I read with dismay that another S'porean man has been arrested for professing his support for ISIS terrorist group. I believe this to be unjust and unfair. The Internal Security Act (ISA) used to arrest Zulfikar is an archaic law, undemocratic and should be abolished! Under the law, Mr Zulfikar Shariff has not commited a single crime! Did he hurt someone? Did he work for the terrorist group? Why are they not given a fair trial in open court? What is the Government afraid of the people knowing? Do the right thing and abolish the ISA, free all those unfairly arrested by this unjust law and allow them to defend themselves.

The S'porean man Zulfikar Shariff who was arrested for terrorism-related charges was photographed pledging allegiance to a black colour flag. I am not expert on this flag but just google and you know this flag is now the trademark icon used by the ISIS terrorists. But my worrying part about all this is the people in the photo with him, they are his family members and I assume all are his sons. They all posed with the black flag and presumbly support the same ideas as their father?

To detain him under the ISA for his views, is not fair. To further accuse him of being an extremist and by extension insinuating terrorism and being a sympathiser of terrorist organisations, is stretching the evidence from his FB page postings. Detaining him under the ISA without trial and without having the opportunity to challenge these aspersions in an open court is an injustice.

In the wake of the arrest of Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, many have said that his arrest under the ISA justifies the ISA. Now, I believe there is value in retaining the ISA, as long as there are sufficient safeguards to prevent its abuse (the current safeguards are not entirely satisfactory, but that's another story). And I support firm and decisive action being taken in this case. The ISA is a draconian law. It gives our government sweeping, discretionary powers to arrest and detain people for an effectively indefinite period of time without the possibility of judicial review.

For those who don't know. Zulfikar has always wanted to join PAP. Apparently he used to help out at Tampines GRC under the EX MP Yatiman. His views were radical during that time that Mr Yatiman decide not to submit his membership.

May Allah ease their worries in times of difficulties. I know Zulfikar, Shamim and Saiddin personally. I dont think they are radicalised. Saddened by this event. Detained under ISA. No court appearance.

As an acquaintance of Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff in La Trobe University, I was not surprised to learn of his arrest. I found it especially amusing that he doesn't realise the irony of his calls for the setting up of an Islamic Khilafah. He advocates for the rejection of constitutional democracy but yet enjoys a peaceful, fulfilling life in democratic countries like Australia and Singapore. Zul's hypocrisy is even more pronounced when you realise that as a full time student here in Australia, he doesn't earn a full salary and gets only a modest stipend. Due to this lack of income, his family members are on welfare provided generously by us, the Australian people.

This is exactly why the need for a discussion on Islamic Reform is so, so pressing. Here you have Mr Zulfikar Shariff, a Muslim who is well versed in Islamic Theology and pretty eloquent. Some may even say, from his posts and personal experiences, that he is someone who can be very convincing. This is how the seeds of Islamic Terror are sowed among seemingly peaceful and moderate Muslims. And unfortunately, 2 have already been radicalized as a result of Mr Shariff's postings.

Zulfikar Shariff who was arrested under the ISA for terrorism-related activities has been spewing support for terrorists since 2001 when the September 11 attacks took place. Back then, Zulfikar Shariff was the CEO of extremist website Fateha.com. On the now-defunct webite, he expressed his support for Osama Bin Laden who orchestrated the attacks on the twin towers. After more than 15 years, Zulfikar Shariff has not changed one bit, he is still the same uncompromising man who believes that violence can solve problems.

Under such context, the Malay Muslim community in Singapore should unite and speak up to counter the image that ISIS and local extremists have portrayed on the whole Muslim community. Funnily, the local Muslim community were so vocally anti-Israel when the Jewish state launched ground offensive against Hamas with some even called for the boycott of McDonalds but the community were muted when it comes to ISIS and its local supporters.