Date : 26 April 2010
Berita Harian - Mufti: Secular system in Singapore adapted to recognise all religions
24 April 2010
Translation
(Some 500 community leaders took part in the close-door Community Engagement Programme (CEP) dialogue last Saturday. Participants shared ideas on efforts to maintain social cohesion and racial harmony in Singapore in times of crisis. Berita Harian carried an excerpt of the message of Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam during the dialogue and an interview with Singapore’s Mufti Syed Isa Semait, who was one of the dialogue participants.)
A secular system is able to accommodate freedom of worship, underlined Mufti Syed Isa Semait when asked for his views during the close-door Community Engagement Programme (CEP) dialogue held at the Orchid Country Club last Saturday.
Graced by Law and second Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam, the event was attended by some 500 community leaders.
When contacted on Thursday, Mufti Syed Isa said Singapore’s secular system is suitable for Singapore’s multiracial and multi-religious context.
“All religion, in one way or another, enjoins us to respect and live in amity with each other.
“However, arguments about one religion being truer than the other are inevitable. Nevertheless, a secular system can provide a good framework for all religions to respect each other’s beliefs in order for peace to prevail,” said the Mufti.
According to the Mufti, he felt impelled to share his views following a question raised by some participants on whether Singapore is completely secular considering that it gives one and all freedom of worship when being secular means no religion.
“Singapore’s secular system has been adapted to recognise all religions so that peace and harmony are maintained.
“Although the system adopted is not completely secular, the policies implemented can guarantee Singaporeans a comfortable life,” said Mufti Syed Isa.
He, however, pointed out that every Singaporean has the right to air their opinions, but they should be seen only as such. In giving their views, one should also ensure that they are suitable to Singapore’s context.
“Whether or not an opinion is suitable for Singapore is open to debate. More importantly, they must not undermine Singapore’s stability. Opinions that can destabilize the country must be rejected,” Mufti Syed Isa added.
According to the Mufti, what the Government is currently doing is to safeguard the peace and harmony for the benefit of Singaporeans as a whole.
He believed that every criticism levelled at the system is merely an opinion, the suitability of which is open to debate.
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(With thanks to SPH - Berita Harian)
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
Berita Harian - Moral authority and credibility must be retained in handling religious issues
24 April 2010
Translation
(Some 500 community leaders took part in the close-door Community Engagement Programme (CEP) dialogue last Saturday. Participants shared ideas on efforts to maintain social cohesion and racial harmony in Singapore in times of crisis. Berita Harian carried an excerpt of the message of Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam during the dialogue and an interview with Singapore’s Mufti Syed Isa Semait, who was one of the dialogue participants.)
The Government must retain the moral authority and credibility in handling religious issues so that Singaporeans feel confident that it is neutral and fair to all, said Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam at the National Community Engagement Programme (CEP) Dialogue 2010 held at the Orchid Country Club last Saturday.
He, however, pointed out that while the Government actively works to promote racial and religious harmony, Singaporeans too must play a vital role to achieve the objective.
“We must ensure that the community structures we build must engender trust and can respond promptly in times of crisis,” added Mr Shanmugam.
He also emphasised the need to continue to inculcate in the young and new citizens the importance of racial and religious harmony.
"Racial and religious harmony are fundamental to our survival. The Government and the people are key partners in building racial and religious harmony. The Singapore Government actively works to promote harmony and create an atmosphere of trust within society. At the same time, the people also play a vital role. At the various levels, we have to continue to build up our operational readiness...CEP is and will always be, work in progress," said Mr Shanmugam.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
(With thanks to SPH - Berita Harian)
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
For the news release on the National CEP Dialogue 2010, please click here.
For TODAY's news article, please click here.