MHA American Muslim preacher denied entry into Singapore for expressing divisive views

American Muslim preacher Yusuf Estes was denied entry into Singapore on Nov 24  for having expressed views the authorities say are "unacceptable" and "contrary" to the values of Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious society.

"Such divisive views breed intolerance and exclusivist practices that will damage social harmony, and cause communities to drift apart," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a reply to The Straits Times this week.

Mr Estes and his wife Ayesha had flown in to Changi Airport from Kuala Lumpur to join over 1,000 passengers on a spiritual cruise organised by Malaysia-based Islamic Cruise, which left Singapore Cruise Centre for Aceh in Indonesia last Saturday and returned on Wednesday.

MHA said: "The Government will not allow religious preachers of any faith to run down other religions or spread ill-will among the various religious communities."

The Government had in September announced its rejection of applications by two Christian preachers, one of whom was identified as Dutch Sheets from the US, to speak in Singapore as they had made denigrating and inflammatory comments about Islam and Buddhism.

Islamic Cruise's strategic and media communications director Kyairul Syahirin Ahmad told The
Straits Times that Mr Estes was not engaged to preach on the ship, but invited as a guest to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary, which coincided with the company's 25th cruise.

Two other foreign preachers planning to speak on the same cruise had been banned from entering the Republic in October. MHA had said Zimbabwean Ismail Menk preached "segregationist and divisive teachings" while Malaysian Haslin Baharim had described non-Muslims as "deviant".

The ministry confirmed this week that Mr Estes was denied entry, in consultation with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. The cruise organisers had been seeking views about Mr Estes as a "possible speaker", MHA added.