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Editor’s Letter<br />
I<br />
usually don’t let politics take over the<br />
topic of my Editor’s note to you. But<br />
I am going to make an exception today.<br />
I had a rare phone call recently and was asked<br />
for my time to assist with a survey. It asked<br />
me my views on terrorism and if the country<br />
was ready to battle a terrorist attack. I was<br />
asked if the community would band together<br />
to fight it or break down and fight against each<br />
other instead. It got me thinking. Why is<br />
Singapore conducting a consensus to<br />
determine if the country and its people can<br />
stand against terrorism? Singapore may be<br />
a tiny dot on the world map and may seem far<br />
away from all the big happenings in the world<br />
like the US. But that doesn’t mean we are not<br />
vulnerable to terrorism.<br />
More than ever we are faced with hate politics.<br />
Politicians standing up on that pedestal<br />
spewing hate and dividing the world. From<br />
Trump in the US to Hanson in Australia.<br />
As many of you know, I grew up in<br />
a multiracial home. In spite of that, I had<br />
a wonderful childhood. I didn’t grow up in<br />
a hateful community. I didn’t grow up with<br />
hateful rhetoric. I grew up with love and lots<br />
of it. And that is the world I want my future<br />
children to grow up in. Unfortunately for many<br />
of us, that is not the world we live in today.<br />
Whilst multiculturism and religious stability<br />
is something we Singaporeans enjoy and hold<br />
dear, this is not necessarily something our<br />
Muslim brothers and sisters have in their<br />
countries. I want to take this opportunity to<br />
stand united with our Muslim brothers and<br />
sisters in the US, Australia, Europe and<br />
everywhere else, who face hateful speeches,<br />
who are marginalized and who have to face<br />
these ‘hate politics’. We are with you and we<br />
send our love.<br />
Terrorism is a threat to anyone regardless of<br />
race, religion or ethnicity. We can all fall<br />
victim to senseless killings. So to paint an<br />
entire community with one broad brush based<br />
on the actions of one or a few people, is utterly<br />
wrong. We all fight a common enemy.<br />
It’s easy to return hate with hate. It’s easy to<br />
shout back hateful rhetoric when we get them<br />
thrown at us. It’s easy to scream and shout<br />
when some people say that Islam and its<br />
teachings are hateful. But let us not fall victim<br />
of destruction. Let us rise above and show<br />
who we really are and what Islam really<br />
teaches – love and peace.<br />
#Breakthehatecycle<br />
Love to all...<br />
Juliana Iskandar<br />
@dayinthelifeof_jules
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