{"id":21889,"date":"2025-12-21T17:42:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T09:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=21889"},"modified":"2025-12-21T17:42:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T09:42:45","slug":"st-josephs-church-evacuated-other-recent-incidents-linked-to-places-of-worship-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=21889","title":{"rendered":"St Joseph\u2019s Church evacuated: Other recent incidents linked to places of worship in Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->Religious institutions in Singapore \u2013 one of the safest countries in the world \u2013 have in 2025 been the targets of a slew of incidents ranging from vandalism to threats, leading the authorities to step in amid renewed calls for vigilance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said in November <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/recent-anti-semitic-incidents-in-spore-worrying-such-acts-will-not-be-tolerated-shanmugam?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">that such acts will not be tolerated<\/p>\n<p><\/a>, adding that such incidents are common in other countries and can create distrust between communities by deepening divisions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He warned that Singapore could face the same outcome if the nation is not careful in dealing with the issue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A suspicious parcel was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/al-istiqamah-mosque-in-serangoon-evacuated-after-suspicious-parcel-found-on-premises?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">delivered to Al-Istiqamah Mosque<\/p>\n<p><\/a> in Serangoon North on Sept 24, prompting an evacuation of the premises. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">One person was taken to hospital for breathlessness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Shanmugam revealed on Sept 25 that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/courts-crime\/several-mosques-received-suspicious-parcels-with-meat-shanmugam-warns-this-is-playing-with-fire?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">the parcel had contained meat<\/p>\n<p><\/a>, which appeared to be pork. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He said this was not an isolated incident and that other mosques have also been affected in similar ways.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He added that regardless of the parcel\u2019s contents, the act was inflammatory, and investigations were ongoing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Said Mr Shanmugam: \u201cWhatever the motive, this is playing with fire. We are treating this matter very seriously. We will deal firmly with anyone found responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He stressed that targeting a place of worship is completely unacceptable and Singapore has zero tolerance for such acts.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shanmugam on suspicious package sent to Al-Istiqamah Mosque\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jrhnS-FhVGM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A Singaporean man was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/courts-crime\/man-charged-over-parcel-incident-at-masjid-al-istiqamah-mosque-in-serangoon-north?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">charged in a district court on Sept 27<\/p>\n<p><\/a> with deliberately intending to harm the racial feelings\u00a0of a person.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He had allegedly mailed an envelope addressed to the mosque, which contained a piece of pork and a note that read \u201chalal BaBi chop\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He was also said to be involved in several cases at other mosques in Singapore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Shanmugam noted in November that there have been several instances of anti-Semitism in Singapore, which is \u201ca worrying development\u201d, citing separate incidents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In September, some toilets in international schools with Jewish students were vandalised with anti-Israel vulgarities. In another incident in October, a Jewish man wearing a skullcap on his way to the synagogue in Waterloo Street heard a passing motorist shout \u201cFree Palestine\u201d at him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The incidents followed in the wake of global tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has been ongoing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/middle-east\/sirens-warning-of-incoming-rockets-sound-around-gaza-near-tel-aviv?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">since October 2023<\/p>\n<p><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Shanmugam said places of worship cannot be made into fortresses and are to be freely accessible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cBut at the same time, Singaporeans of all faiths should be able to go about their lives feeling safe and secure. That\u2019s really part of the cohesive and harmonious society that has taken us decades to build,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"[FULL] Shanmugam: All communities in Singapore must feel safe and respected here\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y3dLQRrg2aM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">On April 2, the Internal Security Department (ISD) revealed it had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/isd-detains-singaporean-teen-who-wanted-to-kill-at-least-100-muslims-at-5-mosques?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">thwarted plans made by a 17-year-old Singaporean boy<\/p>\n<p><\/a> to kill at least 100 Muslims at five mosques across the island.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The teenager was said to have been inspired by the shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in March 2019 that saw 51 Muslims murdered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In June 2024, he shortlisted five mosques for attack \u2013 Masjid Maarof in Jurong West, Masjid Jamek Queenstown in Margaret Drive, Masjid Darussalam in Clementi, Masjid An-Nur in Admiralty Road and Masjid Hajjah Fatimah in Beach Road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">While he wanted to attack all five mosques to achieve a high kill count, he focused on Masjid Maarof because he frequented the Jurong West area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He had planned to kill at least 100 Muslims as they were leaving after Friday prayers, then kill himself before the police arrived.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">When asked if the Malay\/Muslim community should be worried, Mr Shanmugam told the media on April 2: \u201cI think we all need to be worried because\u2026 if Muslims get attacked, it\u2019s bad for the Muslim community, but it\u2019s bad for Singapore \u2013 because we are one community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He said the trend of self-radicalised young people dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was concerning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Since 2015, ISD has dealt with 17 people aged 20 and below under the ISA. All were self-radicalised online. Nine of them had aspired to carry out attacks in Singapore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The department added that far-right extremism is also getting popular among young Singaporeans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A suspicious item found at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/police-at-st-josephs-church-in-bukit-timah-after-receiving-a-call-for-assistance?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">St Joseph\u2019s Church in Bukit Timah on the morning of Dec 21<\/p>\n<p><\/a> is harmless and the situation is under control, said the police.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In an update at 11.08am, the police said their officers and the\u00a0Singapore Armed Forces\u2019\u00a0Chemical Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group\u00a0reached the conclusion after conducting thorough checks on the item.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The unattended item led to the evacuation of the church and cancellation of mass services.<!-- --> The church later said in a Facebook update that masses will resume on Dec 22.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Police lead away handcuffed man at St Joseph\u2019s Church\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y66sdenlAJs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"tags-test-id\">\n<p><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Singapore religion\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Singapore religion<\/span><\/button><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Churches\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Churches<\/span><\/button><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Mosques\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Mosques<\/span><\/button><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Crime\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Crime<\/span><\/button><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Religion\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Religion<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/st-josephs-church-evacuated-other-recent-incidents-linked-to-places-of-worship-in-singapore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 Religious institutions in Singapore \u2013 one of the safest countries in the world \u2013 have in 2025 been the targets of a slew&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21889"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21889\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}