Interfaith harmony is a concerted practice in Singapore and part of national identity: Tharman

INTERFAITH harmony is not just an intellectual idea or attitude of mind, but an active and concerted practice in Singapore, said former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Saturday.

This is not just among religious leaders, but also in the day-to-day practice of religious institutions, he added.

Tharman cited how mosques and churches here coordinate practical day-to-day matters such as traffic and sharing parking space, sometimes even inviting congregants to their own respective festivities.

“Interfaith harmony is a distinctive part of our identity,” said Tharman, who resigned from the Government on July 7 to run in the presidential election later in 2023.

The work of all the previous generations of religious leaders have made it possible for Singaporeans now, to be living in a country where interfaith harmony is part of the national identity and Singaporean ethos, he added.

Tharman noted that it takes continuous work to promote understanding, and create real and practical opportunities for people of all ages and and from different faiths to be in a relationship with one another, where they feel first and foremost Singaporean.

The youth are also organising interfaith projects together and working towards a common purpose, said Tharman.

He was speaking at the Exemplary Interfaith Award presentation ceremony organised by Muslim non-profit organisation Jamiyah Singapore, and held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

Tharman presented the awards to three individuals to recognise their contributions towards promoting understanding and cooperation between different religions in Singapore. 

Sister Theresa Seow and Tan Thiam Lye received the Exemplary Interfaith Award while Mohamed Irshad received the Interfaith Youth Leadership Award.

Tharman noted that the religious leaders have kept interfaith harmony going.

Across the faiths, individually and collectively, these leaders have demonstrated “astute vision, astute guidance” of their respective faith communities, and have bred a depth of understanding among the different faith leaderships and their congregations.

“That is a real achievement which we all have to be really thankful for,” he added.

Tharman added that the three awardees are all persons that he has a deep respect for, for their life’s work and contributions.

They have also inspired many others, he added.

Seow, who is a council member of the Inter-Religious Organisation, has actively organised Muslim-Christian and Buddhist-Christian dialogues, facilitating conversations among diverse religious communities.

Tan, apart from advocating for interfaith harmony, also promotes racial harmony and is a well-respected community leader, Tharman noted.

“Through his leadership roles at the Taoist Federation, as well as the Inter-Religious Organisation and other bodies, he has been instrumental in breeding the sense amongst ordinary Singaporeans that we are all first and foremost Singaporeans,” said Tharman.

For Mohamad Irshad, whom Mr Tharman first met when he was a Nominated MP, he began interfaith work when he was in university.

“The work he’s done through the Roses of Peace initiative that he started has reached out to a very large number of youth and engaged them in activities together,” said Tharman. THE STRAITS TIMES