Personal attacks unnecessary: Faishal Ibrahim on 3 pro-Palestine activists on trial for allegedly organising procession outside Istana

Singapore's strength lies in its diversity of views and respecting those who have differing views, said Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.

He said this in reference to the three pro-Palestinian activists who are on trial for allegedly organising a procession to the Istana last year.

They are Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 26, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 30, and Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 36.

All were charged for allegedly organising an assembly or procession without a permit on Feb. 2, 2024 along the perimeter of the Istana, which is a prohibited area under the Public Order Act.

Everyone has the right to hold and express their views

Speaking in Malay to the media after Friday prayers at the Muhajirin Mosque on Jul. 4, Faishal stressed that these women were not charged for their views or the issue that the procession was about.

Faishal pointed out that the three women were charged because the procession was carried out in a prohibited area.

They would have been charged even if the procession was organised to support any other cause.

"In Singapore, everyone has the right to hold and express their views, including on humanitarian issues," said Faishal.

Respecting one another's perspectives

Faishal then addressed the public reaction to the case.

"I've seen some strong words and even personal attacks directed at these individuals. I feel this is unnecessary," Faishal stressed.

"We can disagree, but we should not lose our adab (decorum). Let us choose to be kind and measured, even when we hold different views."

He added:

"We may have different points of view, but we do not let these differences divide us.

Our strength as a community is not just in what we stand for, but in how we treat those with whom we disagree.

That includes respecting one another's perspectives and upholding the laws that maintain our society's peace and unity."

Pro-Palestinian procession

Nahar, Siti Amirah, and Annamalai had allegedly organised a procession to show their support for the Palestinian cause last year.

They allegedly solicited attendance online.

On Feb. 2, 2024, 70 people assembled along Orchard Road outside a shopping mall at about 2pm.

They walked towards the Istana as they carried umbrellas painted with watermelon images.

The watermelon's colours are the same as those on the Palestinian flag, and the fruit has been used as a symbol of support for the Palestinian cause amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Participants of the Letters for Palestine event walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana to deliver letters.

The letters were addressed to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Trial

The trial of the three women began last Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025.

All three appeared in a joint trial to contest one charge each under the Public Order Act.

A person found guilty of organising a procession that is prohibited can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to S$10,000, or both.

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Top image via Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Ng Yi-Sheng/Facebook