Singapore’s multicultural identity must continue to be the core to our shared values as Singaporeans, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.
“Our multiracial, harmonious and cohesive society is a priceless asset that generations of Singaporeans have collectively nurtured,” he said.
Mr Neo was speaking at Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion, a multicultural creative showcase organised by Harmony Circle on 27th July at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
The entire event was youth-led, featuring contributions from over 100 youths across 10 religions and 25 faith-based organisations. The event saw nearly 500 attendees.
Held in conjunction with Racial and Religious Harmony Month in July, and as part of the SG60 celebrations, the event aimed to spotlight youth initiative in fostering interfaith understanding and social cohesion.
“Our multiculturalism should be inherited by the younger generation to treasure, strengthen and pass on to their next generation,” Mr Neo said.
Renamed “Racial & Religious Harmony Circles” in 2022, Harmony Circle is a platform where religious, ethnic and community groups meet at the local level. It aims to deepen people’s understanding of the various faiths, beliefs and practices through inter-faith and inter-ethnic themed activities such as inter-faith heritage trails, inter-faith talks and dialogues, and various ethnic and religious celebrations.
This year, Harmony Circles and community partners organised over 60 activities, reaching more than 100,000 participants around the island, with the theme of collaboration was central to the event.
This is double the figure in 2022, Mr Neo noted.
“Kaleidoscope is about bringing different groups together and seeing how we can function in unison,” said Mr Hemarooban, 31, a member of the Chong Pang Harmony Circle and one of the partnership leads for the showcase.
A primary school teacher by profession, he highlighted how the role of educators has evolved.
“Today’s youth are well-informed. Our responsibility as teachers is to guide meaningful discussions using that information, helping them understand Singapore’s racial and religious harmony more deeply,” he said.
Ms Irfana Banu, Vice-President of the Indian Muslim Social Service Association (IMSSA), who has been involved in many interfaith dialogues through the organisation, echoed this view. She emphasised the importance of cultural self-awareness among youth.
“The more we understand our own identity, the more we begin to appreciate the identities of others,” she said.
