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Minister Gan: Tolerance, respect key to social cohesion

Date : 19 September 2011

The Straits Times

THERE is potential for conflict and occasional misunderstanding among Singaporeans but these can be resolved if people exercise tolerance and respect different viewpoints.

This was Health Minister Gan Kim Yong's message in his speech at the first GRC-organised Inter Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) carnival yesterday.

The event - IRCC@Heartlands - was piloted last year by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to promote racial and religious harmony among residents. This year's event was held at West Coast Park and organised by the IRCCs in Chua Chua Kang GRC and Hong Kah North, in order to engage residents better.

It drew about 1,500 participants.

Mr Gan, who is an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, added: 'Our social context is evolving and changing... Yet this has not reduced the importance of building cohesive communities.'

The 87 IRCCs, which exist in every constituency, were set up in 2002 against the backdrop of the Sept 11 attacks the year before.

The members are religious leaders and from the grassroots.

A highlight at the carnival yesterday was a booth set up by the Turkish Cultural Centre, displaying native art and also giving out Turkish food and drinks.

Director of the centre, Mr Necmettin Eskici, 33, said response to the booth, which represented the 500- strong Turkish community here, was 'very good'. He added that such community events are a good way to break barriers and prejudices.

Dr Amy Khor, mayor of the South West District who spoke to reporters at the event, said racial and religious harmony is a work in progress and that mass events promote awareness.

But more platforms and opportunities need to be created for different races and religions to come together, she added.

She noted that with more immigrants and new citizens coming into the picture, integration may be a challenge but bonds can be forged through activities like sports, which cut through racial and religious lines.

'We have to constantly remind Singaporeans through events such as this never to take racial and religious harmony for granted,' she said.

JALELAH ABU BAKER

 

(With thanks to SPH - StraitsTimes.com)

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