SM Teo Chee Hean at Jamiyah's 2nd Exemplary Interfaith Award Ceremony

Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of Jamiyah Singapore,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.

It is particularly delightful to see so many young people from different faiths gathered together today.

Interfaith harmony has become synonymous with modern Singapore. To us, having different places of worship side-by-side is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, the headquarters of Jamiyah is also surrounded by other faith organisations. Joining our neighbours and friends of other faiths in their religious festivals, and having them join ours, is something we look forward to year after year. This harmonious co-existence of different faiths has become an integral part of our identity as Singaporeans. It may not seem remarkable and we feel that it is something quite normal for us. But this reality is very different for many other societies, where interfaith tension and conflict is the norm.

We have worked hard together, over many decades, to build and maintain a harmonious and cohesive society. And it is a continuing effort. It is not that we do not have differences of views, but we accept that as part of life in a multi-racial, multi-religious society. We learn to respect, accommodate, and adapt, rather than insisting on separation and accentuating differences between us. We look for common space which we can expand, interact and work together. We seek out the common humanity that unites all of us.

The Government promotes interfaith harmony through a combination of policies, programmes, laws, and outreach. This is reflected in many facets of our lives. How our neighbourhoods and community spaces are designed; what is taught in our schools; and platforms that have been established to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation, like our Racial and Religious Circles. But we are a secular state and respect all faiths. Religion does not enter into the space of politics. This is also very important

Strengthening interfaith harmony requires a whole-of-society effort. Community organisations and individuals play a crucial role.

Interfaith harmony is something that cannot be a top-down edict. It must be a bottom-up thing, which we, as members of society, want to have. This is the kind of society we want.

Jamiyah Singapore is one such partner that has made significant contributions to interfaith harmony in Singapore. First, through its long tradition of interfaith work. Jamiyah’s founder Moulana Abdul Aleem Siddique, established the Inter-Religious Organisation in Singapore. Over the decades since then, Jamiyah has organised and participated in many interfaith activities, both in Singapore and internationally. In Singapore, the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) as well as leaders and practitioners of all faiths come together to pray for peace during crises or wars overseas. We also come together to collectively help those who are suffering and are in need. We do not allow quarrels and conflicts from other parts of the world to be imported into Singapore to divide us. Instead, when we see suffering elsewhere, we unite to see how we can, in our own small way as Singaporeans, help and assist those who are suffering. Second, through Jamiyah’s many welfare and community programmes that are open to people of all races and religions. And third, through Jamiyah’s contributions to national discourse on issues that can impact our social cohesion.

The Exemplary Interfaith Award is another important contribution by Jamiyah to strengthen interfaith relations in Singapore. The Award shines a light on individuals who have made outsized contributions in bringing and keeping us together as a society.

We have seen the contributions that Mr Tan Lee Huak has made and is making to interfaith harmony in Singapore. And we have also seen how a younger generation, represented by Master Benjamin Tan, this year’s Youth Award winner, is continuing that tradition today, which is important. For instance, the IRO was started many decades ago to create a peaceful, harmonious society with all faiths living peacefully and in harmony with each other. While it is an important phase of our history, it is important to ask ourselves what are we doing to live up to its vision and continue the traditions? It is important to express the best facets of our faiths and work together for the betterment of our society.

Tonight’s Awards serve both to recognise exemplary individuals like Mr Tan Lee Huak and Master Tan Benjamin Tan, but also to inspire others to action. This call extends to everyone in our wider community. We can all contribute to interfaith harmony through simple, daily actions – with our neighbours, colleagues at school and work, and in our other shared spaces.

I hope that all Singaporeans, like ourselves, will see it as our civic duty, and an expression of our Singaporean identity, to help build bridges of understanding and respect in our society. There is no other way for us to overcome the boundaries of race, religion, and culture, and forge ahead together, first and foremost, as Singaporeans, other than to reach out to each other, understand each other, embrace each other and expand on the foundations of a common humanity to create more common space for all of us.

Once again, I congratulate this year’s award recipients, Mr Tan Lee Huak and Master Benjamin Tan. And I thank Jamiyah Singapore for this opportunity to recognise and celebrate interfaith harmony in Singapore.

Thank you very much.