Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I am delighted to join you this evening at Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion 2025.

2. Tonight, we also conclude our Racial and Religious Harmony Month (RRHM) celebrations.

   1. This year, our Harmony Circles and community partners have organised more than 60 activities, bringing together more than 100,000 people through sports, arts, carnivals, dialogues, and tours.

   2. And this is double the number from 2022, when RHMM celebrations first started¹. This is an achievement to be proud of!

3. As we commemorate SG60, it is timely for us to reflect on our progress to strengthen our social cohesion as one people.

   1. I recently visited the Project Citizens exhibition at Woodlands Library. This is a project by National Heritage Board to document the life and stories of the “first million” Singaporean citizens.

   2. One of the seniors whom I met spoke vividly of his experiences when the racial riots broke out in 1964. It was a dangerous night and as a young boy then, he was gripped by fear and uncertainty. He was worried for his life. He had to hide and make his way back to his kampung, and it was his Malay friends who helped to save him and make sure that he was kept away from harm.

   3. Today, as we celebrate Racial and Religious Harmony Month, that phase of our history seems so very far away. We have come a long way from conflict to co-existence, to living in harmony, to mutual appreciation and celebration of multiculturalism.

4. Multiculturalism in Singapore is more important today than ever.

   1. The world around us is fractured and increasingly divided.

   2. There are new driving forces that seek to pull us apart. For instance, social media can connect people, but also spread misinformation, and can create echo chambers.

5. Singapore, as good as we may be, is not immune to these vulnerabilities.

6. In an increasingly divided world, multiculturalism is a crucial and unique strength. Our multiracial, harmonious and cohesive society is a priceless asset that generations of Singaporeans have collectively nurtured.

7. It underpins our safety and security, and allows us to bring our families up in peace, and pursue our dreams further.

8. As we look to SG100, our multiculturalism must continue to be the core to our shared values as Singaporeans and our social compact. It should be inherited by the younger generation to treasure, strengthen and pass on to their next generation.

9. Strengthening this is a multi-generational journey. Therefore, I am heartened to see all our youths step forward to lead in the next bound development of multiculturalism in Singapore.

10. Our youths are our future. We need to create the space for them to have a voice and to have a hand in shaping the future of Singapore society.

11. And that is what we seek to do at RRHM this year. This event tonight is a fully youth-led national event for RRHM.

    1. Our Youth Leaders @ Harmony Circle have worked hard to mobilise over 100 youth, from 10 religions and 25 partner organisations.

    2. Together, they have organised the community fair,² and the exciting theatrical performance³ that we are going to see later.

    3. A big shout-out to Didi, Rooben and Thaddeus, please stand up and be acknowledged by the crowd. These three young people led this evening’s efforts and also guided me on an excellent tour of the community fair booths.

    4. Looking at the amazing event they have put together, I am filled with great optimism that not only will our multiculturalism continue, but it will be thriving even more, in an even stronger Singapore society, in SG100.

12. I hope that this movement by Our Youth Leaders of Harmony Circles will grow from strength to strength.

13. I encourage all our youths to stay curious and open minded and seek to understand and deeply appreciate one another’s cultures. Please also help to spread the word and get more of your friends to participate actively.

14. Let me conclude. A kaleidoscope transforms individual pieces into stunning patterns, creating new patterns with every turn.

    1. Similarly, multiculturalism in Singapore will evolve as our society develops, with new possibilities at every juncture.

    2. So let us increase and deepen interactions with each other, and step forward to make a difference as we steward multiculturalism in Singapore to new heights.

15. I wish you a fruitful and enjoyable evening tonight. Thank you.

¹ Prior to 2022, it was the Racial and Religious Harmony Day.

² The community fair comprised (a) an interfaith card game by Swoing Care Together, that challenges participants to match various religious, philosophical and ethical teachings to respective religions; (b) cultural demonstrations by Singapore Rojak and Damaru; and (c) sharing sessions by the Inter-Religious Organisation Singapore, Climate Interfaith, Dialogue Centre, and Roses of peace.

³ The theatrical performance follows three protagonists on their journey to the magical Pulau Irama in a captivating three-act story about their aspirations for a harmonious society.