Daesh Video Featuring 'Abu 'Uqayl' Distorted - Singapore Mufti

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The video message from ISIS or Daesh, featuring ‘Abu ‘Uqayl’, who has been identified by the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a radicalised Singaporean “is full of distortions and falsehood,” says Mufti of Singapore, Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram. “The video is deliberately designed to mislead Muslim viewers into sympathising with ISIS,” he said in a statement here. Unfortunately, the mufti added, the video was only one of many similar messages which could be found on many websites and social media. “These distortions are dangerous as they misinterpret and manipulate the teachings of Islam, to influence and convert those who may not be able to discern truth from untruths,” he warned. MHA on Sunday said it was believed the person in the video calling himself, ‘Abu ‘Uqayl’ was Megat Shahdan Abdul Samad, 39, who left Singapore in 2014 to work in the Middle East, where he was believed to have been radicalised. Subsequently, he made his way to Syria to join the ISIS ranks and was believed to be still with ISIS in Syria, said the ministry. “Unfortunately, Megat Shahdan is one such individual who has been brainwashed by such dangerous views and doctrines,” said Dr Mohamed Fatris. The mufti said the Singapore Muslim community must stay vigilant, with parents, relatives and friends having extremely important roles to help anyone who showed signs of being influenced. Among others, the three-minute, 30-second video, allegedly made by the media wing of Daesh, showed ‘Abu ‘Uqayl’ who speaks in English, hurl words at Britain's Prince Harry like, "Why don't you come here and fight us if you're man enough." Prince Harry was in Singapore last June. -- BERNAMA