The troupe put up an impressive performance. But what was even more unique was the troupe's ability to attract two Malay boys to join the predominantly Chinese team.

At Chinese funerals, it is not uncommon to see various races participating as members of the funeral band which played a variety of music ranging from country to hymns, including some popular hits.

It is also encouraging to see Malays and Indians taking part in our annual celebration of the Mooncake festival organised by the Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs).

In our schools, we have the dikir barat performance during Hari Raya Puasa and we also have some Chinese and Indian boys joining in the band performance. Dikir barat is a form of singing accompanied by drums (kumpang) originating from southern Thailand. In an agricultural society, the dikir barat was performed as a ritual or celebration of the rice harvest season. Today it is popular in Kelantan, Trengganu and Singapore.

These are good signs that multi-racialism is working in Singapore.

It would be good if the CCCs and town councils could organise more combined activities during the various racial and religious festivals to promote more integration among the various races to ensure social cohesion.

Let us promote racial harmony and bonding among our people by encouraging them to respect and even participate in the activities of other cultures.

Nelson Quah