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All 71 Singapore mosques will support anti-drug fight by CNB and Muis

2021-06-25 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE - All 71 mosques here will be backing an anti-drug campaign this year, with a specially crafted sermon encouraging the community to play an active role.

The Dadah Itu Haram initiative was unveiled by Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam and Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at the Al-Ansar Mosque in Bedok on Friday (June 25).

They were joined by Mr Esa Masood, chief executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), and Ustaz Dr Mohammad Hannan Hassan, the deputy Mufti.

The annual anti-drug campaign is in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, and is a collaboration between the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Muis.

The effort, which was launched in 2017, was supported by 15 mosques last year, but is backed by all 71 mosques this year.

During Friday prayers, a specially crafted sermon by the Office of the Mufti emphasised the importance of community involvement in the fight against drug abuse.

"As one community, we play an important role together in helping and providing the required support, to those who have fallen into the trap of drug abuse, in order to overcome their addiction," read the sermon.

"The harmful impact of drug abuse is undeniable. It does not only harm individuals, but also cause family institutions to be affected and hopes to be destroyed. The future of their children will also be neglected."

Banners reminding the community of the fight against drugs will be displayed at the mosques.

Speaking to the media at the unveiling, Mr Shanmugam thanked Muis for its support over the years.

"Today's launch reaffirms the close working relationship, the commitment with Muis and mosques, to raise anti-drug awareness in the community," he said.

"The support for this from mosques is important because they are a key focal point, touch point, for many in the community, and we will continue to work with all our community partners including the mosques, send out the message, and strengthen support for offenders."