US-Singapore Relations 2003
U.S. Navy Imam Meets Singapore's Muslims
July 16, 2003
The US Navy's first Muslim chaplain, Imam Muhiyyaldin ibn Noel, broke bread and led prayers with Singaporean Muslim community leaders, and met student members of the National University's Muslim Society Executive Council during an extraordinary day of dialogue and shared values, July 16 . Imam Noel was also interviewed by the "Berita Harian," the city-state's principal Malay/Muslim newspaper, resulting in a half page story published Friday, July 18.
Imam Noel shared with all his audiences a positive and personal description of how Muslims are received and welcomed in American society. Combatting local misperceptions, the Imam stressed that for every negative news report about Islam in the U.S. his listeners may have heard, he could tell them ten stories showing strong community support and acceptance of Muslims into the local neighborhood. Yes, prejudice exists and can be found, but it is the exception, and not the rule, in America. During his interview, Imam Noel also discussed the need for moderate Islamic leaders to speak out and be heard, to deny Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein from becoming for the world the voices of Islam.