A suspicious parcel that led to the evacuation of Al-Istiqamah Mosque in Serangoon North on Sept 24 contained meat, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said on Wednesday (Sep 25).
Authorities are still confirming the type of meat, but at first sight, it appeared to be pork according to the ST report.
“Whatever the motive, this is playing with fire. We are treating this matter very seriously. We will deal firmly with anyone found responsible,” said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.
He stressed that targeting a place of worship is “completely unacceptable” and that Singapore has zero tolerance for such acts.
The minister revealed that this was not the only mosque affected. Similar incidents had occurred recently at other mosques across Singapore, though he declined to say whether they were linked.
“We don’t know who did it. We don’t know what the motives are. But so far, these series of incidents seem to be targeted only at mosques,” he said.
Police have stepped up visits to mosques, but Mr Shanmugam cautioned against turning places of worship into fortresses.
Referring to the November 2024 attack on a Catholic priest at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah, he said such places remain open and vulnerable.
“Police will act based on intelligence, and places of worship also have their own security arrangements. Police have advised them on what kind of arrangements they ought to make,” he added.
On Sept 24, police were alerted to the incident at about 5.20pm. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call at 5.45pm and deployed hazardous materials specialists, who found no harmful substances.
One person experiencing breathlessness was taken to Sengkang General Hospital. Mr Shanmugam confirmed the individual has since been discharged.
Daily prayers at Al-Istiqamah Mosque resumed the next day.
In a Facebook post, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) reassured congregants, adding that Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim had joined worshippers for pre-dawn prayers on Sept 25.
Mr Shanmugam warned that such incidents, while not uncommon overseas, can cause distrust and deepen divisions between communities if not handled carefully.
“People really should be able to practise their religion in an atmosphere of trust and faith, and with mutual respect,” he said.
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