Spotlight on key role of S’pore youth in preserving racial, religious harmony at community event
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President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with performers from Sinda during the Inter Racial Religious Harmony Nite event on July 6.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Lee Nian Tjoe
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SINGAPORE - In an era of social media and misinformation, youth in Singapore play a crucial role in preserving interracial and inter-religious harmony.
The chairman of the organising committee for the Inter Racial Inter Religious (IRIR) Harmony Nite said this on July 6, as the community event returned after a five-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than 2,000 people, including 24 foreign diplomats, representatives of religious groups and political office-holders, showed their support at the event celebrating Singapore’s racial and religious diversity, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands.
Racial Harmony Day is celebrated on July 21. And since 2023, July has been designated Racial and Religious Harmony Month.
Organised by the Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, a non-profit voluntary welfare organisation, the IRIR event had been an annual affair since 2004, until 2020 when Covid-19 struck.
On July 6, besides ethnic performances, the Declaration of Religious Harmony was read out in Singapore’s four official languages, with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the guest of honour.
A performance by a group from Sinda at the IRIR Harmony Nite on July 6.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Calling the IRIR Harmony Nite a powerful reminder of the values that bind Singapore as a nation, Mr Ardi S. Hardjoe, chairman of the event organising committee and the Thye Hua Kwan Group, said in his opening address that young people have a crucial role to play in preserving interracial and inter-religious harmony.
He acknowledged the threat of social media and artificial intelligence in spreading misinformation.
But he said: “We must have faith in our youth... I truly believe they are able to discern and will stand up against untruths and discrimination. I challenge our youth to use technology and social media as forces for good.”
Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, chief executive of the Singapore Indian Development Association, stressed that it is important for the younger generation to have platforms to understand and appreciate the importance of Singapore’s harmony.
“We must sustain this momentum and guide our youth towards ensuring an inclusive society for all Singaporeans,” he added.
Ms Sandra Theseira, president of the Eurasian Association, said that with unrest in other parts of the world, it is even more important to preserve Singapore’s unique harmony. She said: “Rising global tensions are a concern, and we must instil values of unity and teamwork from a young age.”
In the past few years, Singapore has seen several cases of youth here being self-radicalised online.
The Inter Racial Inter Religious Harmony Nite has returned after a five-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
At the annual retreat of the Religious Rehabilitation Group in May, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean said that since 2015, there had been 12 self-radicalised Singaporeans aged 20 and below who were dealt with under the Internal Security Act.
Madam Zuraidah Abdullah, chief executive of Yayasan Mendaki, told The Straits Times that staying united as a country was important in weathering storms.
She said: “Coming together today allows us to reconnect and reflect on how all of us worked together to navigate through difficult times. The difficult times strengthened our resolve to always be together.”
Meanwhile, the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle and Kallang Alive Sport Management is organising a two-day event that ends on July 7 at the Singapore Sports Hub.
Open to the public, Harmony Fest! 2024 consists of interactive exhibitions, games and performances from the main ethnic groups and disability advocacy organisations to create awareness.
More than 34,000 participants are expected over the two days.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong (on stage, in white) launching the digital montage at Harmony Fest! 2024 on July 6.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
At the opening of the event on July 6, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong described racial and religious harmony as a “precious asset”.
He said: “In these uncertain times, Singapore, all the more, has to be the bright, shining red dot, to be different from the others, to stay cohesive and be united and resilient against external challenges”.
Correction note: An earlier version of this story said the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle is holding a two-day event. This has been changed to the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle and Kallang Alive Sport Management.
