Ustaz Abdul Somad Gains Strength, Invites People To Divert Shopping Money To Singapore For Pasantren Waqf

Ustaz Abdul Somad alias UAS. (Instagram @ustadzabdulsomad_official)

JAKARTA - The famous Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) invites all people to divert spending money to Singapore for waqf development of the Nurul Azhar Islamic Boarding School. This was conveyed by UAS after he was banned by immigration officials from entering Singapore.

"UAS to Singapore wants to take a vacation. Will visit various tourist attractions, will eat, stay, shop, spend funds for the good of Singapore's economy. But Singapore turned out to reject UAS," said UAS quoted from his blue tick Instgaram account @ustadzabdulsomad_official, Wednesday, 18 May.

In the Instagram upload, it also shows the condition of the target Islamic boarding school for waqf which is in the process of being developed.

"Today we probably don't need to use our money to go shopping to Singapore, the funds can be diverted to waqf with UAS to complete the construction of the Nurul Azhar Islamic Boarding School & Preschool and Nurul Azhar Kindergarten Foundation for the People's Waqf Savings Foundation," wrote the account. Previously, the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo said that UAS was not deported, but refused entry. "He was not deported but did not get permission to enter Singapore. So he was asked to return to Indonesia," said Suryopratomo, Tuesday, May 17.

It's just a matter of reason, he explained, his party could not reveal and throw questions to the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta.

"If the reason is right, maybe ask the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta. Because they have the right to explain the reason," added Suryopratomo.

Meanwhile, the Singaporean authorities gave an explanation regarding the reasons for the refusal of the UAS which was published on Tuesday, 17 May. Here's the reason.

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara (Somad) arrived at Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on May 16, 2022 from Batam with six traveling companions. Somad was interviewed, after which the group was denied entry to Singapore and placed on a ferry back to Batam the same day.

2. Somad is known for spreading extremist teachings and segregation, which is unacceptable in Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society. For example, Somad has preached that suicide bombings are legal in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and are considered "martyrdom" operations. He also made derogatory comments about members of other religious communities, such as Christians, by describing the Christian cross as the abode of "pagan jinn". In addition, Somad openly refers to non-Muslims as “kafir” (kafir).

3. Entry of visitors to Singapore is not automatic or entitlement. Each case is judged on its own merits. While Somad attempted to enter Singapore under the guise of a social visit, the Singapore Government took seriously anyone advocating violence and/or supporting extremist teachings and segregation. Somad and his traveling companions were denied entry to Singapore.