IIP COORDINATOR ALEXANDER FELDMAN'S VISIT TO

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000563

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER SOCI KISL SN
SUBJECT: IIP COORDINATOR ALEXANDER FELDMAN'S VISIT TO
SINGAPORE



1. (SBU) Summary: Senior Minister Goh Chock Tong expressed
his concern about a rising tide of Islamic conservatism to
Coordinator for International Information Programs (IIP)
Alexander Feldman during his February 16 - 19 visit to
Singapore. SM Goh urged the United States to encourage
Muslims to "be part of the modern world." In separate
meetings, Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs Dr. Yaacob
Ibrahim and leaders of the Islamic Religious Council of
Singapore (MUIS) briefed Feldman on GOS efforts to promote
moderate Islam through youth programs and the latest
communication technologies. End Summary.


2. (U) During his February 16 - 19 visit to Singapore,
Coordinator for International Information Programs (IIP)
Alexander Feldman met with Senior Minister Goh Chock Tong,
Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, and
officials from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
(MUIS). He also discussed jihadists' use of technology with
analysts at the Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism
Research at the Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies
(IDSS),a government-linked think tank.

Rising Islamic Conservatism
--------------


3. (SBU) Senior Minister Goh, who spearheads Singapore's
engagement with the Middle East, warned about a rising tide
of Islamic conservatism that wanted "to take the world back
to the seventh century." Goh noted the increasing influence
of Wahabiism and Arab values and cultural habits on Southeast
Asia's Muslims, citing the growing numbers of women wearing
head scarves and refusing to shake hands with men. Goh
reiterated the GOS concern about Malaysia's increasing
Islamization, commenting that Malaysia's political parties
were competing over "who is a better Muslim" and "which brand
of Islam is better for Malaysia."

"Corrupting the Conservatives"
--------------


4. (SBU) Cautioning that "it is important that Muslims remain
as moderate as can be," Goh urged the USG to reach out and
show that "we're not against Islam." Goh emphasized that the
United States could not convert Muslims to American values,
but should encourage them to "be part of the modern world."
Those Muslims willing to consider American values were
already listening, and "the other side, they will never tune
in," Goh asserted. The USG must reach out, for example,
through radio broadcasts. In his meetings with Muslim
leaders, Goh stresses that "we are all on the same side" and
"must stand up together against extremism."

"Lifting the Veil"
--------------


5. (SBU) Goh argued that education (especially of women) and
economic development were the keys to stopping Islamic
fundamentalism. As part of this effort, Singapore initiated
the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED),and was establishing a
training institute in Jordan. Goh mentioned that he
"subversively" and "subtly" promoted women's education during
his visits to the Middle East.

Singapore's Approach
--------------


6. (SBU) The GOS wanted Singapore's Muslims to "have the best
of both worlds," retaining their religous identity but
participating fully in modern society, Minister Yaacob
explained during his meeting with Mr. Feldman. The GOS,
through MUIS, emphasized the importance of education, to help
Malay/Muslims compete with the ethnic Chinese, Goh said.
MUIS has harnessed technology to promote progressive Islam,
Yaacob noted. On Fridays, MUIS sends out an SMS highlight of
the official sermon, for example. MUIS has also teamed up
with Islam Online to provide content and ensure that emailed
requests for religious guidance from Singaporean Muslims were
answered by Singaporean scholars.


7. (U) Mr. Feldman did not have the chance to clear this
message before his departure.
HERBOLD