In recent years, the number of Muslim religious students studying in various institutions in Damascus has grown. There are now about 70 of them in Syria. The Islam taught here is moderate reflecting the philosophy of the multi-religious Syrian state. The cost of studying in Syria is also not expensive. The Syrians are a warm and friendly people who would readily extend assistance to our young men and women. MUIS now endorses Syria as a good country for our religious students to go too.
MUIS makes special efforts to keep in touch with our religious students overseas. Dr Bakrie has become my travel companion. Three years ago, he brought me to visit our students in Yemen, and last year our students in Cairo.
On Saturday night, I hosted dinner for our students in Damascus including family members. My wife and I were very touched by the preparations they made for our gathering. The religious students wore robes which they tailored for the occasion, each costing about S$50 I was told. They look pretty smart in them. They also put up a small performance and gave us gifts.
One problem they face is the difficulty of getting student visas. Visas
are tightly controlled because of the government's fear of radical students from abroad. I raised this issue with the Syrian Foreign Minister. He responded positively when I proposed a government-to-government agreement as we also do not want to send them radical students. MFA will now work with MUIS on this.
George Yeo
Dinner Reception with Singaporean Student Community in Syria
Greeting Singaporeans
Making remarks
Presentation of Table Flag
Performance by students
At the dinning table
Dr Al-Balkri with Sophie
Group Photo
Group Photo
Photo with Singaporean family
minister sir,
i cant stop smiling looking at these pictures you took while on your visit to syria. i was a student @ damascus and graduated last year in 2008. Thank you for visiting Syria and i thank you on behalf of all the students for your concern on our student visa's situation. i hope things will get better and we'll see you there on your second visit :)
Muhammad Zahid
Mosque Religous Officer
Muhajirin Mosque
Singapore Islamic Hub
Posted by: muhammad zahid | July 20, 2009 at 04:31 PM