What does breaking fast with delicious dates have to do with politics?
Well, nothing.
Really, there’s nothing.
And as the Darul Makmur Mosque confirms, there should be no connection between the place of worship and politics of any kind.
But what exactly happened that led them to make that extra clear on social media?
PSP Distributed Dates To Mosque Instead Due To COVID
On the Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Facebook page, you’ll see that on 15 May 2021, a Facebook post was made about their plans for dates distribution. Their Nee Soon team had donated the dates to “a Mosque in Yishun” and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society to celebrate Hari Raya.
The team had initially planned to give out the dates to the residents of Nee Soon on 1 May as part of their Hari Raya outreach but was inevitably cancelled due to the pandemic.
They also hoped that all residents and beneficiaries would stay safe and healthy during this period, adding that “seven dates a day, keeps the doctors away.”
PSP thanked all their volunteers for helping to deliver the dates and their beneficiaries for their support.
There were also images attached to the Facebook post, though it only showed the donations made to Thye Kwan Moral Society. The mosque they donated to was not specified.
Well, plot twist: PSP did actually name the Darul Makmur Mosque, but later edited its name out.
Why? Well, read on to find out.
Darul Makmur Mosque Responds
On 17 May 2021, the mosque responded to PSP’s donations, noting that they were not aware that a donation had been made on behalf of a political party. Neither were they aware that the donation would be publicised on social media.
According to their Facebook post, an unfamiliar man had reached out to them, saying that he wished to arrange for some dates to be donated.
“The individual did not say on whose behalf the donation was being made, nor that it was being made on behalf of a political party,” noted the mosque.
They had accepted the donations and their employees thus collected the dates when they were delivered.
However, the Darul Makmur Mosque had later found out that the donation was made by a political party and was “surprised to find out that subsequently the donation was publicised” by the PSP.
They also clarified that they had not consciously accepted the donation, unaware at the time that it was made by a political party.
“Our mosque does not participate in any political activities. Nor have we knowingly accepted donations from political parties. We are committed to our role in serving congregants well through our religious and social development programmes,” said the mosque’s management board.
Backlash
Many of the commenters criticised the PSP for their inconsiderate and disrespectful action, though this was only present on the mosque’s Facebook post.
Many questioned PSP’s intention of involving religion in politics, echoing the sentiment that it is important to distinguish the two.
One user praised Darul Makmur Mosque, saying, “Thank you for stating your stand on non involvement of religion with politics. This is right and respectful. Salute!”
Others were horrified by PSP appearing to use a tactic for their “political gain” and for publicity.
A user from the Malay/Muslim community noted that there are “other ways to reach the Malay Muslim community and this definitely not the way. Masjid should be the focus point to serve the congregants well and not to part take in any of such activities. I think they should come out and apologise for such actions.”
Feature Image: Facebook (PSP Nee Soon)
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