Dear Editors and Media Friends,

 

1. Interfaith dialogue amongst the different religious groups should be elevated to a national level. President of Singapore Halimah Yacob made the suggestion after visiting Harmony Centre@An-Nahdhah this evening.

    

2. During the visit, President Halimah was also briefed on the Harmony Centre and Masjid An-Nahdhah’s engagement efforts and activities. The centre, opened in 2007, is one of Muis’ key initiatives to promote a greater understanding of Islam and Muslims within Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society. The two-storey Harmony Centre showcases exhibits, artifacts and information on Islamic civilisation and lifestyle. The Centre has, over the years, build greater network and bonds with other communities through interfaith dialogue and engagement, and is well-known now as an integrated hub for the promotion of greater understanding and engagement of all faith communities.

    

3. Speaking to the media after the visit, Mdm Halimah said that interfaith efforts of the Harmony Centre@An-Nahdhah are important steps in sharing about the practice of Islam in the context of a multi-racial and multi-cultural society.

    

   “We cannot assume that because we have religious harmony in Singapore, we don’t have to continue to do work in order to enhance and strengthen the foundation. That would be the worst situation that we put ourselves in. We are always exposed to external forces, which is not friendly to diversity. We need to strengthen the foundation all the time. Perhaps we can raise this interfaith dialogue to a national level. We have Shangri-La dialogue for security, so perhaps we can have interfaith dialogue at national level, with the same prestige and status.”

    

4. During the tour, President Halimah had the opportunity to interact with leaders of neighbouring organisations such as Zion Bishan Bible-Presbyterian Church, Girl Guides Singapore, Ministry of Education Language Centre (Bishan), and members of Masjid An-Nahdhah’s Mosque Management Board (MMBs). 

    

5. President Halimah and Mr Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee also graced an iftar (break fast) function at Masjid An-Nahdhah, attended by 200 people this evening. Also in attendance were Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Member of Parliament of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC (Bishan East-Thomson),Chong Kee Hiong, Chief Executive of Muis, Hj Abdul Razak Maricar, Mufti of Singapore, Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram as well as community and grassroots leaders.


6. Please credit all photos via the link below to Muis. Thank you.