Harmony Fest! 2026

From Generation to Generation – 60 Years of Harmony, Regardless of Race, Language or Religion

President Tharman,

Religious Leaders,

Pastor Andrew, Chairperson of the Harmony Circles Coordinating Council,

Youth Leaders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. Welcome to Harmony Fest 2026!

2. First, allow me and all of us to extend our most heartfelt thanks to our President, for taking time out of his busy schedule to be with us this morning. Mr President, thank you!

60 Years of Our Pledge: A Tribute to the Pioneers of Harmony

3. This year, in addition to commemorating the Racial and Religious Harmony Month, we are also celebrating the 60th anniversary of our National Pledge.

4. 60 years ago, Singapore was just emerging from the shadows of communal tensions and racial riots. Our young nation was fragile, and there was no guarantee it would hold together.

   1. We needed a common identity – one that celebrated our diversity, but also defined us as Singaporeans.

   2. And it was in this context that Mr S Rajaratnam, our first Minister for Culture, penned the words of the National Pledge – that out of the ashes of the most serious and prolonged racial violence in our young nation’s post-war history that, we, the citizens of Singapore will pledge ourselves as one united people.

   3. It was a bold vision. But with a spirit of unity and togetherness, we have made that a reality.

      1. We saw this just moments ago, in the intergenerational, interfaith prayer led by the IRO, one of the most established interfaith organisations in the world.

   4. Our racial and religious harmony did not happen by chance. It was hard earned through the tireless efforts of successive generations of Singaporeans who chose unity over division and made an active choice to foster understanding, respect, and trust despite our differences.

Racial and Religious Harmony has grown from strength to strength

5. And we have continued our efforts as the challenges evolved around us. We formed the Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCC) in 2002, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, to serve as ground-up, local platforms to build trust and friendship among different communities.

6. Today, it has evolved to the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle, which plays a critical role to foster ties and build trust among community groups. And we do this in peace, so we can support one another should times of tensions and crises arise.

   1. Over the last term, our Harmony Circle has grown from strength to strength. From 1,500 members in 2023, we now have close to 2,000 members across 97 Harmony Circles across the island. And of this, the number of religious organisations who are represented in the Harmony Circles has also more than doubled, from about 200 in 2023, to 450 today.

   2. Our Harmony Circle members have also acquired new skills to cope with new challenges. For instance, 325 of them have learnt new skills in crisis preparedness and are ready to respond should the need arise.

7. So I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of our our Harmony Circle Coordinating Council and all our Chairpersons for working hard to nurture our racial and religious harmony – thank you! Can we give them a big round of applause please.

To the Youth Here Today – It’s Your Turn

8. So this year, we made the decision to hold Harmony Fest in *SCAPE, where we are today, as a way to acknowledge our youths who are stepping forward to be counted, and continue in this important work.

   1. Youth membership in the Harmony Circle has expanded by 40% in the last three years - to about 170 youths today.

9. Our youths bring fresh perspectives, and injects new ideas into our initiatives.

   1. Many of our youth leaders have stepped up to plan and execute the activities and performances you see here today and this morning – and throughout this Harmony Month.

   2. I want to give a special shoutout to Irfana Banu and Peter Ang, who worked with Harmony Circle Coordinating Council member Mr James Teo to plan many aspects of Harmony Fest – big round of applause. Well, including designing the Harmony Circle booth and mobilising other youth volunteers.

   3. Organising something this thoughtful, for a crowd this size – is no small feat. So well done to Irfana, Peter and all of our youth volunteers! Let’s give them all a big round applause!

Conclusion

10. As I conclude, we continue to be reminded that racial and religious harmony is a continued, collective work in progress.

    1. It is lived out by each of us, in the choices that we make each day.

    2. And each generation must choose it anew and continue to build on what our forefathers have left for us.

11. So, in the presence of each other today, let us recommit ourselves to the choices that our pioneers made 60 years ago.

12. Let us:

    1. Make our pledge at the digital wall that you see here today;

    2. And be part of the movement by joining your Harmony Circle at the Harmony Circle booth at Playspace or by asking one of the Harmony Circle Office staff or Harmony Circle leaders. So just look for one of them and tell them you want to stand up to be counted.

13. These are small acts, but when multiplied across a nation, we each contribute to a Singapore that truly lives out the words of our Pledge to be one united people.

14. And may we continue to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

15. Thank you, and I wish everyone a fruitful and meaningful Racial and Religious Month ahead!