Celebrating differences and putting faith in action

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Thank you so much for having me. I would first like to thank the organisers for bringing us all together for this very meaningful conference.

2. The theme of today’s conference is “Faith in Action”. Indeed, it is very timely, we may come from different religious backgrounds, but all of us can do something good for others. Take for example, Roses of Peace, which started as a Muslim youth initiative in 2012, has engaged more than 700 youth volunteers from diverse faiths.

3. I very much look forward to hearing from our panellists, on how they put their faith in action to serve our society. I hope you will also share your ideas and views at the dialogue later.

Radicalisation remains a threat to Singapore

3. Globally, we are seeing how differences have divided communities and polarised society. This is exacerbated by increasing acts of terrorism, gunmen attacks at a Paris concert hall in November 2015; the twin suicide attacks in Brussels in March 2016; and now, someone in a heavy vehicle slamming into pedestrians in Nice and London; and also the suicide bombing at a Manchester concert this year. The effect of this is a rise in Islamophobia. In fact, a 10-year study of news in the UK shows that 84% of press coverage of Muslims and Islam is negative and damaging. The rise in religious exclusivism is driving intolerance towards others, resulting in heinous attacks.

4. Singapore is not spared from these threats. A worrying trend is the number of radicalised Singaporeans put under restriction or detention orders. In the last two years, the number was 16. Compare this to the 11 cases between 2007 and 2014. Just last month, the authorities detained two self-radicalised Singaporeans, an infant-care assistant and an auxiliary police officer. Both were in their early twenties, radicalised by online extremist propaganda. In the same month, the Government banned nine publications by a religious teacher, known to maintain exclusivist and extreme positions in Islam.

5. The Government and the Muslim community are working hard to fight radicalisation. MUIS is leading a network of Islamic religious scholars and youth groups to counsel our youths and reach out to them via social media. The Asatizah Recognition Scheme was also made mandatory this year, to strengthen the quality of our religious teachers.

6. But the terror threat is not one that the Government or the Muslim community can solve on their own. As Singaporeans, we must stand united and guard against expressions of Islamophobia, or similar acts of intolerance towards any other community. We must not allow terrorists to sow distrust, or lead us to shun and reject one another.

7. We pride ourselves here in Singapore as one of the most diverse countries in the world. But our religious diversity can give rise to friction, both at the inter-faith and intra-faith levels. Our religious make-up is also shifting; according to the General Household Survey 2015, more young Singaporeans between 15 and 34 are without religious affiliation compared to five years ago. We need to ensure that our differences do not create fault-lines.

Need to deepen understanding

8. Our religious and community leaders recognise this, and are building mutual trust and understanding by joining the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs). Through activities such as inter-faith talks and celebrations, the IRCCs serve to deepen Singaporeans’ understanding of religious practice.

9. At the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, we provide opportunities for the community to come together and grow our common spaces. For example, since the launch of BRIDGE in March this year, we have supported a diverse range of activities to improve racial and religious understanding in Singapore, including today’s conference.

Strengthening social harmony: Youths must play a part

10. I am very glad that our youths are showing acceptance of diversity. The recent National Youth Survey found that four in five youths have a close friend of a different religion, and three in five have one of another race. This reflects your openness to diversity, which is the first step in building community trust, mutual respect and understanding.

11. Many youths have taken a further step in building a stronger multi-racial society by bringing Singaporeans of different communities together. Roses of Peace has distributed over 53,000 roses to people from different faiths and backgrounds. This simple act sends a powerful message of peace, love and harmony.

Conclusion

12. Indeed, as pioneers of tomorrow, you play an important role in shaping our society – please set the tone for the future. Advocate for a peace loving, inclusive society through your network of friends and relative. Speak up when you hear or read derogatory or inflammatory comments or witness biases about other communities. Stand up against negative or extremist behaviour and for your own beliefs and values. Put your faith into action and be a positive example in your community.

13. Thank you, and I wish you a very good evening!