Bangladeshi preacher Amir Hamza, who is reportedly linked to the pro-Al-Qaeda group Ansar al-Islam, preached an unauthorized extremist sermon to migrant workers in Singapore. His speech allegedly promoted religious intolerance and glorified extremism, leading to legal action against event organizer Abdus Sattar and dormitory operator SBM Electrical & Automation.
Extremist Sermon and Allegations
On August 9, 2024, Amir Hamza delivered a speech at Lantana Lodge in Tech Park Crescent, near Tuas South Avenue 4. Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) later found that his sermon:
Labelled non-Muslims as “kafirs” (infidels)
Praised extremists as role models for religious devotion
Condemned the previous Bangladesh government, calling it oppressive
Authorities deemed his speech dangerous to Singapore’s communal harmony, and he left the country the next day. Reports of the illegal sermon surfaced on August 12, 2024, prompting an investigation.
Security Breach: How Amir Entered Singapore
Despite being on the Internal Security Department (ISD) watchlist, Amir entered Singapore using a passport with a different name. Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam stated on September 9, 2024, that his biometric data was not in Singapore’s immigration database because it was his first visit.
Amir Hamza’s Extremist Past
Amir has a history of promoting radical ideologies in Bangladesh. He was arrested in 2021 for inciting violence and spreading extremist beliefs. In that same year, three suspects arrested for planning an attack on Bangladesh’s Parliament claimed they were inspired by his sermons.
Though Amir later admitted to misinterpreting religious teachings, he denied encouraging attacks. He was released on bail in December 2023.
Legal Action Against Event Organizer
Singaporean man Abdus Sattar, 51, was charged on March 27, 2025, for:
Abetting Amir Hamza to conduct religious activities without a work pass
Organizing a public assembly without a police permit
Providing public entertainment without a license
His company, SBM Electrical & Automation, also faces charges for failing to maintain entry records of non-resident workers attending the event.
The case will be heard again in court on April 24, 2025.