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We take the religious diversity of Singapore for granted. We are completely mixed in our neighbourhoods, in school and the workplace. It is not uncommon for temples, mosques and churches to be located side by side. Are there problem?
Yes, of course – all the time. But we solve them in a practical way so that everyone has his own space to worship. Everyone has to compromise a little.
But we must not assume that the religious harmony we enjoy is a natural state of affairs. In many parts of the world, religious strife tears countries apart. Such conflicts can be easily occur in Singapore too if we are not careful. To keep the peace, we must keep working at it both top-down and bottom-up.
The Government’s role is absolutely important. Whatever our individual beliefs, we must always make sure that the state is secular, guaranteeing the freedom of all religiouns. The laws we enact must take into account the interest of Singaporeans as a whole and not just those of a particular religious group. Without the Government of Singapore acting fairly – the religious matters – and religious harmoney we often take for granted here would not be possible.
From time to time, the Government must act to defuse conflicts. For example, inflammatory films or publication of Danish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad here in Singapore. When pictures of Jesus Christ were put on the floor of MRT stations as advertisements for the movie Da Vinci Code, LTA had to step in even though the film itself was not banned. Some years ago, Taoist joss sticks grew bigger and bigger until the Government intervened.
While individual Singaporeans might complain about particular actions taken by the Government, on that whole, they know that the Government tries to be fair and even-handed.
Religious leaders also play a critical role. Whenever possible, the Government consults religious leaders so that whatever action that has to be taken is reasonable and not perceived as arbitrary or high-handed. Religious leaders sit on the Presidential Council of Minority Rights and on the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony. Whenever conflicts arise, their views are sought.
Years ago, Muslim religious leaders agreed with MM Lee Kuan Yew to lower the volume of loudspeakers calling the faithful to prayer by having the calls broadcast on Malay radio station instead.
Islam and Christianity
The 10 religious represented in the nter-Religious Organisation are Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, the Ba’hai faith and Jainism. Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism and the Ba’hai faith are relatively inclusive in their beliefs. Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism are relatively small communities which do not seek to proselytise.
In contrast, Islam and Christianity are relatively exclusive and proselytising. That presents a special challenge not only to Singapore but to many other countries as well.
The interaction between Islam and Christianity over the centuries has been a troubled and difficult one. Memories of the crusades still run deep. Terrorism has complicated matters further. Sept 11 forced religious leaders on both sides to look hard at each other’s positions, wondering whether any reconciliation is possible. In Singapore, Sept 11 and the discovery of the Jemaah Islamiah network encouraged Muslim and Christian leaders to reach out to each other.
We are beginning to see Muslim and Christian leaders reaching out to each other on the global stage. In October last year, more than 100 senior Muslim leaders from around the world, Sunni and Shi’ite, sent an extraordinary letter to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders proposing theological similarities as a basis for peace and understanding.
Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury immediately “welcomed the letter”. The Vatican responded positively too and less than two weeks ago, following discussions between senior catholic and Muslim figures in the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI gave his approval to the creation of a permanent Catholic-Muslim interfaith forum that will hold its inaugural meeting this November in Rome.
As proposed by Muslim leaders, the theme of the first meeting, whic hthe Pope will attend, is Love of God, Love of Neighbour. The second meeting will be held in a Muslim country in 2010. Such outreach among religious groups is very necessary.
Instructing the young to be tolerant of diversity is crucial. Religious differences are deep differences; they are not superficial and cannot be easily beidged. Any religious group when threatened can react violently. If we do not tolerate diversity in our daily lives in Singapore, our social fabric will be torn apart.\
The Straits Times, Mar 18 2009’s review
