Student Nurse Faces Backlash Over Alleged Islamophobic Posts in Singapore
The controversy began when screenshots of the individual’s social media posts circulated, showing claims that “nobody wants Islam” in countries like China and Singapore. The posts also described the religion as “false and misleading.”
The issue was brought to light on 19 September by podcaster Hanafi Mohd Sam, who co-founded The Golden Nuggets Podcast.
His initial Instagram post was later deleted but re-uploaded on 22 September. Hanafi argued that the comments conflicted with the values of compassion and inclusivity central to healthcare, the Online Citizen reported on Monday.
The account linked to the remarks, the_real_silu, has since been deleted. Hanafi said he had reported the case to Ngee Ann Polytechnic, adding that the content publicly flagged was only part of a broader issue.
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He claimed to possess video material showing a repeated pattern of racist and Islamophobic statements, describing them as more extreme than the deleted post.
According to Hanafi, such behaviour could undermine patient trust and safety within Singapore’s healthcare system. He stressed that it was not merely about one offensive comment but an attitude that could compromise the quality of care.
He urged the training institution, affiliated hospital and authorities to act decisively, stating: “As a society, we cannot condone or stay silent about this. Racism and Islamophobia don’t belong in our hospitals, our schools or even in our communities.”
The matter quickly gained attention online. Many social media users condemned the alleged behaviour, tagging Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and suggesting escalation to the Singapore Nursing Board.
Some called for the student to be suspended or barred from entering the Ministry of Health. Others argued that accountability was necessary, with one remarking that freedom of speech does not exempt individuals from responsibility.
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Amid the uproar, an account under the username spam_silu—believed to belong to the student—issued an apology in the comments section. The student expressed regret for the online remarks, saying they had not considered the consequences and pledging to respect all religions in Singapore. She apologised specifically to the Muslim community, attributing her earlier words to poor judgment and negative influences from online platforms.
Despite the apology, many commenters remained skeptical. Several argued that the apology came only after the remarks were exposed, and some said a public statement would have carried more weight than reappearing under a new account.
Source: Agencies
