Muslims turn up in white - for many, it's tradition

Muslims turned up in white at mosques around Singapore yesterday evening, but not all did so to support a Wear White campaign to protest against homosexuality.

Many at four mosques told The Sunday Times that they usually wear white to pray, and especially at last night's special Terawih prayers to mark the start of the fasting month of Ramadan today.

Wearing white was something encouraged by Prophet Muhammad, they said.

At the Assyakirin Mosque in Jurong, retiree Mohamad Rahman, 52, referred to the Wear White campaign started by religious teacher Noor Deros and said: "I usually go for prayers wearing white because it's the Prophet's way, not because of this campaign.

"They are hijacking our first Terawih prayer and I'm not happy. This is supposed to be the holy month."

Mr Noor urged Muslims to dress in white to protest against homosexuality and the Pink Dot event that was held yesterday. He gained the support of some Christian and Muslim groups last week.

At the Ar-Raudhah Mosque in Bukit Batok, where some of the Wear White campaign organisers went to pray, a group of at least 40 turned up in white to support the campaign.

The organisers had said on Facebook on Friday that they would be at the mosque, and initially planned to take a group photograph outside the mosque where Singapore Mufti Fatris Bakaram was due to deliver a lecture.

But The Sunday Times understands that the campaign organisers decided instead to split up, heading for different mosques around Singapore. Campaign leader Noor did not turn up at Ar-Raudhah, choosing instead to pray at Hajar Consultancy Services at Joo Chiat Complex, where he teaches religious classes.

A supporter said Mr Noor preferred not to speak to reporters and would issue a statement eventually, because the start of Ramadan "should be spiritual".

This article was first published on June 29, 2014.
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