Praying for muslims
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Does the Sargent give Praying period for muslim recruits in bmtc?
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I've got this booklet for Muslims lying at home somewhere, advising how they should reconcile religious obligations with military-service duties. Can't recall whether it's issued by MINDEF or MUIS (or equivalent) right now.
I'll see if I can find it. It was passed on to me by a Malay NSF driver, so I figure new enlistees will get a copy too. -
Orh ok thx
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From what I know, they can do their prayers at the bunk and there are even friday prayers (I remembered on few occasions the sergeant ask all Muslims to fall in on Friday afternoons...) provided there is no training on that time...Originally posted by SerialBox:Does the Sargent give Praying period for muslim recruits in bmtc? -
Found it. It's called "Boy Meets Tekong: NS Guidebook for Muslims", issued by Perdaus & MUIS in 2000. Try contacting them for a copy.
The middle half of the booklet is subtitled "Islam for the Ops Ready", preaching a pre-prayer checklist (timetable, $1 compass, water bottle, poncho, etc.), how to perform ablution, how to pray fast (proper technique & focus) & pray "smart" (combination prayers, etc.), plus clarification on fasting during Ramadhan as well as halal/haram food. All within practical context, or army style - so to speak.
I didn't answer you directly prior cuz I thought maybe the SAF has a new directive but, from the gist of the fairly-recently publication, I don't think things have changed much since my time in the '80s. In other words, the military respects your religious obligations but won't go out of its way to overaccomodate them.
Instead, the booklet encourages Muslims to be disciplined & faithful (when not enough time, water is scarce, too tired, dirty uniforms/terrain, missed prayers, etc.). At the same time, it advises that the seeking of permission to pray must be tactful, in order not to interrupt training or cause inconvenience to others. -
got. last time i BMT, on friday the malay recruits will fall in and march to kilo company for prayers.
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thx for info guys
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got. last time i BMT, on friday the malay recruits will fall in and march to kilo company for prayers.
It's more than Friday prayers. Muslims are also encouraged to do their 5 daily prayers - Subuh (morning), Zohor (noon), 'Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), 'Isyak (night) - even when in the Army, including out in the field. More often than not, you don't see them performing them unless it's by happenstance. My own Tekong platoon had a pious Malay, but he was very discreet & did his prayers faithfully, but very quickly, during training breaks.