Not to embrace diversity is to turn our backs on geography

The sense of being a Singaporean cannot be divorced from being multicultural, and celebrating the fact that we are so. For we are a small island in Southeast Asia, a region which does not have a unifying culture, unlike the Arabian, Indian, European or Chinese civilizations.

Southeast Asia is diverse because it is at the intersection of major civilizations. Major religions, from Hinduism and Bud...dhism, to Islam and Christianity, precipitated thick layers of identity traits in the region throughout history. And Singapore is at the center of it all.

Not to embrace diversity is to turn our backs on the realities of geography and history, and to deny being our true self. Diversity is what makes Singapore unique, and it is what makes us Singaporeans.

It is thanks to the myriad of influences from different cultures and beliefs – Singapore is like a 百家被, or in English, a “100 good wishes quilt”, where many pieces of cloths are stitched together into a blanket to protect a newborn, and passed to future generations.

Today, around the world, there is a growing trend of religious extremism. The acts of extremists aim to harm what is most precious to our societies, which is the mutual trust and cohesion between communities.

There is also worry of a rising political rhetoric that feeds on the insecurity of communities, and propound a more insular worldview and less tolerance for diversity.

As a small country open to the outside world, we are susceptible to such trends. What is happening in other countries can also affect sentiments in Singapore.

At this time, it is all the more important that we reaffirm our Pledge, and remind ourselves of our shared values. We are a multi-cultural society, a country for every community, with meritocracy as one of our key organizing principles. The majority do not overrule the principle of equality, and the minorities do not exclude themselves.

After fifty one years of independence, I believe these values and ideas have sunk deep roots in our collective consciousness.

And we must continue to work to strengthen them.

Building a cohesive society and one united people is an endless journey. Countries with far longer histories are still grappling with this challenge, what more Singapore. It is a difficult and delicate task. We need to uphold the principle of equality, and build a shared sense of being as a nation, but without going overboard or adopting an extreme ideology, to the extent of disregarding or becoming disrespectful to the identities and cultures of individual communities.

Religious and community leaders have always played a significant role, to lead by example, and to promote interfaith understanding and tolerance, and as a Singaporean I thank all of you.

Excerpt of speech at an Interfaith Festive Gathering - Reunion and Reflections, at Furama Riverfront Hotel

http://bit.ly/2l6WEhQ See More