Zulfikar Shariff

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Mohamad Shariff is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Zulfikar. The word "bin"/"ibn" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Zulfikar Shariff
Born
Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff

(1971-09-28) September 28, 1971
Singapore
CitizenshipAustralia (2000s–present)[a]
Singapore (1971–2020)
Known forPolitical activism and alledgedly extremism

Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff[b] (born 28 September 1971) is a Singaporean-born Australian author, political activist and dissident who founded The Inquiry, an online podcast channel that is focused on Malay–Muslim issues. It was geo-restricted in Singapore for allegedly causing racial tensions.[1][2][3] In 2016, he was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) of Singapore on allegations of terrorism-related activity.[4]

Early life and education

Zulfikar was born in Singapore on 28 September 1971. He was a PhD candidate at La Trobe University but did not graduate, being unable to finish due to his detention in Singapore.[5][6]

Activism

While in Singapore, Zulfikar and two of his friends founded Fateha.com (Fateha) in the early 2000s, a website for Muslim's woes and concerns in Singapore.[7][8] He also advocated for the rights of Muslim children to wear a hijab in primary and secondary schools.[9] In 2002, Zulfikar fled Singapore to Australia via Malaysia to escape an investigation for criminal defamation. He had previously contributed in a Fateha article targeting individuals associated with the People's Action Party (PAP) such as Lee Kuan Yew, Yaacob Ibrahim and Ho Ching.[10] In response, Zulfikar alleged that such investigations was a "political persecution" attempt by the PAP.[8] He took up Australian citizenship soon after, despite the fact that Singaporean nationality law does not permit multiple citizenship.[11][8]

In July 2016, upon his return to Singapore, Zulfikar was detained under the ISA for allegedly supporting the Islamic State. He was also additionally charged in court under the Passports Act for not disclosing his Australian citizenship when applying for a renewal of his Singapore passport in 2013. He was subsequently repatriated to Australia in 2020 after renouncing his Singaporean citizenship. After his repatriation, Zulfikar started The Inquiry, an online podcast channel that touches issues regarding Malay–Muslim issues in Singapore.[12][13] Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs ordered Meta, Telegram and TikTok to restrict access to the content in Singapore, which was observed.[2][3]

Personal life

In 2025, his daughter Sayyida Nafeesa Zulfikar was killed in a car crash in Melbourne.[14]

Notes

  1. ^ Until 2020, in violation of the Singaporean prohibition on multiple citizenship.
  2. ^ Jawi: ذوالفقار بن محمد شريف

References

  1. ^ "Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) (Exemption from Prohibition against Dealing) (No. 3) Order 2017 - Singapore Statutes Online". sso.agc.gov.sg. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Singapore orders TikTok, Meta to disable former ISA detainee's accounts over posts inciting racial tensions". CNA. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b "SPF issues directions to disable social media of Australian man, 54, for inciting enmity between S'pore Malay-Muslim & Chinese community". mothership.sg. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Singapore-born Australian detained under ISA in 2016 back in court for flouting Passports Act". CNA. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Australian citizen arrested in Singapore for promoting terrorism". ABC News. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  6. ^ cue (2 August 2016). "Asatizah setempat anggap ideologi Zulfikar racun, semai permusuhan, Berita Singapura - Beritaharian.sg". BeritaHarian (in Malay). Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  7. ^ "From radicalism to extremism: The case of Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff". TODAY. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b c Aziz, Arfaeza A. (31 July 2002). "Muslim activist in Australia to escape political persecution, not to seek asylum". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  9. ^ cue (26 November 2025). "Who is Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, the ex-ISA detainee stirring racial tensions online?". STOMP. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Zulfikar known for radical views over a decade ago". TODAY. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Singapore's accidental exiles leave a damning vacuum". South China Morning Post. 2 September 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Singapore blocks TikTok and Meta accounts of Australian linked to radicalisation". The Star. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  13. ^ cue (26 November 2025). "Siapakah Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, individu di sebalik akaun TikTok, FB 'The Inquiry'?, Berita Singapura - Beritaharian.sg". BeritaHarian (in Malay). Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  14. ^ David Wu (11 December 2025). "Sayyida Nafeesa Zulfikar, 21, killed in freak incident after crash between car and truck". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
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