Date : 19 November 2011
Synosis
"As a small, open country, Singapore has to constantly work hard to maintain racial and religious harmony in our society," said DPM Teo Chee Hean at the celebration of the 100th Birthday of His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb.
Good morning.
Thank you for inviting me to join you all in celebrating the 100th birthday of your spiritual leader, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb .
I understand he is well-respected in the Islamic world, and his intellectual wisdom and benevolence have earned him a devout following by the Dawoodi Bohras around the world.
I join you in congratulating him on his 100th birthday.
The rapid pace of change today, including the movement of people across borders and the prevalence of the Internet as a means of mass outreach, has led to new stresses and challenges for communities around the world.
Recent events in the world such as the riots in London and other UK cities and the Norway shootings are timely reminders of how delicate the social fabric of a nation can be.
We must never cease in our efforts to stay vigilant, reject the use of violence, keep channels of communication open, and foster a closer understanding and appreciation of each other’s concerns, ethnicities and beliefs, to resolve differences peacefully.
Although Singapore has enjoyed many years of peace and harmony among our many races and religions, we cannot take this for granted.
As a small, open country, Singapore has to constantly work hard to maintain racial and religious harmony in our society.
Being a cosmopolitan country with many different races and faiths living together in a densely populated location, it is all the more important for us to be sensitive to different cultures and religions, and build strong networks and bonds of friendship that can be counted upon when the system comes under stress.
Indeed, experiences in the UK and the US have shown that besides the casualties and physical damage arising from incidents such as a terrorist attack, the more lasting harm is the damage done to social stability, as well as the trust, confidence and harmony amongst the people.
This is why Singapore has devoted much time and resources in the Community Engagement Programme.
The CEP brings together Singaporeans from different communities, to strengthen inter-communal bonds, to ensure that we are equipped to maintain our social cohesion and harmony, and stay united in a crisis.
Events like this can help to foster closer ties of understanding and appreciation among the various faiths and cultures in Singapore. But beyond racial and religious harmony, all of us can also play our part to contribute to the betterment of Singapore society.
Your community exemplifies the idea of social leadership where every Dawoodi Bohra is encouraged by your spiritual leader to make contributions to your respective resident countries.
As traders, the Dawoodi Bohras have contributed to Singapore’s economic growth over the years.
I understand that several among you have also contributed funds to finance the building of this mosque.
In the area of public and social service, some of you have represented Singapore in international affairs as non-resident ambassadors.
Others have served in the grassroots, and have made significant contributions to the Malay/Muslim community and to our society at large.
They are role models whom your community can be proud of, who serve as an inspiration for the younger generation in your community. Some of the young Dawoodi Bohras have also volunteered their time to serve in various civic and interest groups, and represented Singapore in regional and global forums.
I would like to thank all of you for doing your part for this country you call home.
I hope you will continue to contribute to the economic and social development of Singapore in your own ways.
Let me end by wishing your spiritual leader more years of good health so that he can continue to lead and guide the community of Dawoodi Bohras around the world, and in Singapore.
Thank you.