Man behind Quran-stepping video likely convicted for similar acts, may be mentally unwell: Shanmugam

Singapore authorities ordered Meta to disable access to social media posts containing a video of a man stepping on the Quran, amid concerns over racial and religious harmony. The incident, believed to have occurred on a public bus, is under investigation by the police.

Offensive Video Prompts Action

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it had ordered Meta to disable access to the video. While the original video is no longer available, it had been reposted and shared on other social media platforms, according to MHA.

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim denounced actions that deliberately insult any religion, stating they have “no place in Singapore.” He emphasized that an insult to one religion affects all others, undermining the mutual respect essential to Singapore’s society.

MHA and the Singapore Police Force assessed the video’s content as an offence of insulting the religion of another person under Section 17F(4) of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990. Police issued Disabling Directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 (OCHA) to Meta to address the content.

MHA stated it takes a strong stance against threats to Singapore’s racial and religious harmony and will deal with offenders “swiftly and firmly.” Police investigations are ongoing.

Impact of Middle East Conflict

Regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Minister Shanmugam noted the “huge” impact on those affected by the war. He also highlighted potential global economic consequences, including risks to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil and gas prices have already increased and are likely to rise further, with some Gulf countries discussing potential disruptions to energy flows. The widespread dependence on energy means these effects will be felt by individuals, businesses, and economies worldwide, Shanmugam said.

Uncertainty surrounding the war’s duration is also a concern, with recent statements suggesting it may last longer than initially predicted. Shanmugam noted a lack of clarity regarding the war aims from public statements.

“Wars usually are bad for people involved as well as others who are impacted,” Shanmugam said. “But in this case, it is quite a lot of people around the world affected.”