racial harmony in singapore essay

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Racial Harmony in Singapore

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Published: Nov 15, 2018

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Celebration of Racial Harmony Day in Singapore Coursework

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Introduction

Venue selection, event marketing.

The main goal of the upcoming event dedicated to the Racial Harmony Day in Singapore is to engage the public in cultural and leisure activities designed to popularize the ideas of racial equality and tolerance. This meeting is aimed at promoting humanism and brotherhood to maintain favorable relationships in society and avoid any racial conflicts. The upcoming holiday is a convenient time for such an event because, according to Frost (2020), in Singapore, issues associated with the racial division are manifested and reflected in the cultural development of the country. Chauvinistic sentiments in society are a relic, and organizing a cultural program for the population can help direct the thinking of prejudiced people in the right direction.

The key stakeholders in the event are the participants, the People’s Association, suppliers, and the media. The distribution of roles is important for building a stable event concept. The government side will provide appropriate financial support and give the necessary permits. Suppliers will provide the equipment and the elements to accompany the holiday, for instance, catering and musical design. Media resources will cover the event and publish relevant materials, and the participants will attend the holiday and purchase the desired accessories.

Since the Racial Harmony Day in Singapore is celebrated on July 21st and falls on Thursday, the entire program of the event will take three days – from Thursday to Saturday. During this period, various entertainment and educational competitions and leisure projects will be offered to the participants. According to the Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs (2022), promoting religious equality and tolerance is an essential objective of social development. Therefore, one of the activities will be the presentation of the characteristics of different ethnic cultures living in the country. In addition, quizzes will be organized for everyone, and based on the results of the contests, the most erudite participants will receive significant and useful prizes. Given the results of the past year, the most active members of social movements for equality will be noted and rewarded. Finally, joint receptions with people of different racial minorities will be organized for the participants to get to know better the representatives of other cultures.

To select the optimal venue for the event, the number of participants and organizers involved should be thought out in advance. In addition, the possibility of hosting related services outdoors should be made, such as catering, recreation, medical services, and other sites to ensure convenience. Safety aspects are critical to follow to avoid accidents, and interaction with fire and law enforcement agencies should be part of the venue selection process. Finally, weather conditions are imperative to consider to prevent equipment damage or discomfort for all the participants engaged. Due to these factors, the optimal venue for the event is a university campus in which there are both open areas and large closed rooms in which people can also interact.

Types of Target Audience

By promoting the idea of ​​the event among the population, one can distinguish three categories of the target audience, highlighted in Table 1. The primary group includes the direct participants in the holiday programs, including representatives of the population, honorary citizens, and social activists. The secondary category consists of the providers, who will include support teams, service personnel, and other staff members. Finally, the tertiary group involves the media representatives who will be invited to cover the event process, interview, and post relevant materials on online platforms with mass access.

Table 1. Categories of the target audience.

Marketing Channels

With regard to marketing channels, promoting the event among the population can be carried out differently, but as the most efficient method, one can cite the use of digital resources. As Yoga et al. (2019) state, modern people receive basic information from the Internet, including data about tourism and entertainment projects. Therefore, the publication of news about the upcoming holiday on social networks is the key to the active dissemination of information among stakeholders. Another marketing channel is the involvement of traditional media, for instance, through the distribution of brochures and announcements about the future event. Such a step can also help draw attention to the holiday. Finally, direct emails to the public are a potentially powerful strategy for engaging people in the upcoming event. To do this, this is essential to segment the target audience and highlight those who actively use the Internet to ensure the widest possible involvement.

Marketing Timeline and Budget

The marketing timeline for the future event implies taking the key steps for a successful stakeholder engagement project. Over the next six months, appropriate stages will be implemented to spread the awareness of the Racial Harmony Day celebration. Within a month, negotiations with the administrators of popular online platforms will be completed to use their services and publish the necessary materials. It will take another month to prepare a base of potential participants for direct emailing. In parallel, negotiations will be held with suppliers and the media to participate in the event. The next four months will be used to publish specific materials, answer user questions, and organize all related service procedures.

The marketing budget has several major cost items and associated costs. The main costs relate to organizational nuances (equipment rental, staff fees, and other expenses). Associated costs will concern the acquisition of resources necessary for the comfort of the guests of the event, including food, drinks, prizes, and other details. This is planned that the main costs will be around $150,000, and the secondary costs will be approximately $50,000.

Event Evaluation

Event evaluation is critical to drawing appropriate conclusions about the success of the work performed and assessing potential gaps and omissions. MeetingHand Content Marketing Team (2019) identifies two main reasons that determine the significance of this procedure. They include the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to identify the adequacy of the applied organizational strategies and the need to receive feedback from the target audience (MeetingHand Content Marketing Team, 2019). In the first case, economic, managerial, and other aspects of the work done are considered. In terms of participant feedback, the satisfaction of the parties involved is assessed to determine if the event has been valuable and important to them.

From the standpoint of specific key performance indicators to take into account, one can emphasize the sustainability of logistics, the adequacy of scheduling, and the effectiveness of marketing activities. As Chi et al. (2018) note, the perceptions of the parties involved are more important after a particular event than before because the organizers get real ratings. Thus, effective and thoughtful work to create conditions for the celebration of the Racial Harmony Day assumes the satisfaction of all interested parties at the end of the three-day holiday.

Chi, C. G. Q., Ouyang, Z., & Xu, X. (2018). Changing perceptions and reasoning process: Comparison of residents’ pre-and post-event attitudes. Annals of Tourism Research , 70 , 39-53. Web.

Frost, M. R. (2021). An unsettled majority: Immigration and the racial ‘balance’ in multicultural Singapore. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies , 47 (16), 3729-3751. Web.

MeetingHand Content Marketing Team. (2019). How to evaluate an event . Meeting Hand. Web.

Ministry of Home Affairs. (2022). Maintaining racial and religious harmony . Web.

Yoga, I. M. S., Korry, N. P. D. P., & Yulianti, N. M. D. R. (2019). Information technology adoption on digital marketing communication channel. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities , 3 (2), 95-104. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2023, August 17). Celebration of Racial Harmony Day in Singapore. https://ivypanda.com/essays/celebration-of-racial-harmony-day-in-singapore/

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Follow our news, recent searches, challenges abound in tackling casual racism in singapore society, advertisement.

Casual racism refers to speech and behaviour that conveys negative stereotypes and prejudices about other races, said an expert.

SINGAPORE: While casual racism is taken more lightly in the current generation, the issue is still something that needs to be addressed , according to stakeholders and experts.

The change should come at the society level, with greater education and awareness raised towards the issue , rather than through the introduction of legislation, they told CNA’s Heart of the Matter Podcast.

The topic of casual racism took the spotlight last month, when Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam delivered a detailed ministerial statement in Parliament regarding a young police officer who took his life , after accusing his colleagues and superiors of racial discrimination and workplace bullying.

While not all the allegations were true, Mr Shanmugam had said: “Cases involving racial slurs or casual racism will be investigated as possible misconduct, as a disciplinary breach.”

WHAT IS CASUAL RACISM?

Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said that casual racism refers to speech and behaviour that convey negative stereotypes and prejudices about other races.

“You pick up some kind of cultural differences within people's dress or style of doing something, and then you kind of poke fun at it, often in subtle ways (and) not very explicitly in your face. But the undertone is clearly there (and) clearly the recipient recognises it,” he explained.

“There may not be malicious intent, but ultimately it's the recipient who then has to recognise or feel the sense that somehow or another, his identity as perhaps a minority person has been accentuated in a particular way, which is negative.”

Dr Mathews said that casual racism is “very contextual” and that it is “the community of recipients who ultimately arbiter this”.

Yale-NUS College undergraduate Aamir Bana said that his generation may have internalised some of the racial stereotypes from their parents’ generation and perpetuated them in their own interactions.

For instance, he has witnessed parents disciplining their children using racial stereotypes, he said.

“I heard a Chinese lady scold her child and said, ‘the ‘Bangla’ men will come and find you’,” he shared.

“That very afternoon, I was at religious class and then one of my aunts was scolding her child and said, ‘If you don't behave properly, Mr Tan will come and catch you’.”

CHANGE IN PERCEPTION OF IDENTITY

Mr Bana said that for the younger generation, the emphasis on racial identity is slightly different from the previous generation’s.

“From my own interactions, I've seen for the older generation, their identity is centred around their culture, their language. It’s less so with the younger generation, where there is this sort of homogenised Singaporean identity,” said the 25-year-old, who is Indian Muslim.

The other elements such as race, religion, culture, even belonging to a minority status, only come after that, he said.

However, this does not necessarily mean that younger people are less racist, said Mr Bana.

“For people who have experienced casual racism, very few actually voice out, and speaking from personal experience, sometimes you just take it on the chin or you laugh it off. You believe that the other person did not mean you any malice (and) it was out of ignorance,” he said.

He said that racism exists on a spectrum, from casual racism to overt and maliciously intended racism, but that they are all similarly borne out of ignorance.

Mr Bana however noted there is a danger that letting someone off for making a casually racist comment somewhat gives them permission to go and do the same to other people, as they may claim that “my friend was not offended”.

TACKLING CASUAL RACISM IN THE WORKPLACE

When it comes to dealing with instances of casual racism in the workplace , employers should first ascertain whether there is a repeated pattern, said Mr Jerviel Lim, head of people and culture at game studio Tatsu Works.

This is to ensure they do not "make a mountain of a molehill", he said.

If colleagues approach him with such complaints, he always finds out the setting and context in which the comments were made, based on the “most generous assumption that, probably, that person didn't know that it wasn't funny”.

He said he has been advocating for people on the ground to tackle instances of casual racism on their own, instead of immediately escalating it to the human resource (HR) department.

“The reason why it is called ‘casual’ is because it's happening anytime. HR is not there to police all the pantry conversation, nor the managers themselves,” he said.

“So the colleagues themselves need to be equipped with the capabilities and the competencies to approach all these tough conversations.”

Dr Mathews said companies should provide training to help employees become more sensitive and aware that their words carry some effect, and they should be accountable for what they say.

"If the words we say, in some way or another, strike a certain tone to a potential recipient that they're being undermined or they're being judged based on their skin colour (or) their ethnic background, then we should think twice,” he said.

For minority employees who feel offended when colleagues communicate in another language in a group setting, that offence stems from the feeling of being left out, noted Mr Lim. 

“But they probably didn't mean it as purposely trying to ostracise or sideline you. They probably do not know how to also include you in those conversations as well,” he said.

It is an issue which can be raised to a HR executive, who can then educate everyone on fostering inclusiveness in a workplace setting, said Mr Lim.

However, he noted that there are no concrete definitions on what casually racist remarks and behaviours look like, and that HR policies have to evolve over time in response to them.

“I think a lot of times we just set these policies that don't change for 10 years. But with social media right now that proliferates certain remarks and whatnot, I think HR policies also need to refine themselves over time,” he said.

It is essential to set clear boundaries on what is acceptable, and is something that may even strengthen relationships, said Mr Lim.

“Sometimes we feel that if someone sets clear boundaries, this person is too sensitive or whatnot,” he said.

“But I believe that being clear about your boundaries is being kind. That's how you become good friends, because (your colleague) probably started off with bad jokes and whatnot, and then realised over time that this is your boundaries. And I think at workplaces, everyone needs to be very mindful of each other's boundaries as well.”

Dr Mathews said organisations need to make it “unquestionable” that they do not stand for that kind of discriminatory behaviour, and to change their tone in terms of how they handle such matters.

“Will people become extremely concerned? Will they be very sensitive (and) always be on the edge with each other? Probably at the beginning. There will need to be some education about this,” he said.

“But over time, I think people will be conscious about the general issues and general areas they need to be careful about, and apart from that I think life will go on.”

LEGISLATION TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE SPACE?

The guests also discussed if legislation is needed in order to improve the situation. 

“I think there should be regulations in place to protect people, especially in the workplace, but not necessarily in a social setting,” Mr Bana said. 

Instead, raising awareness of the existence of casual racism will allow individuals to eventually work it out themselves, he said, drawing parallels with the way women’s place in the workforce has evolved.

“I think we've seen great progress in terms of how women are treated in the workplace. Gone are the days where certain acts would be tolerable, simply because there were difficult conversations to be had,” noted Mr Bana.

Mr Lim said it is not possible to lay out every single law and try to catch everyone who commits casual racism, as it may inadvertently have a negative effect.

“We do not want the extreme side, where we just cancel each other. ‘Oh, you said something racist, so I'm going to cancel you’,” he said.

“You have to take it into context. So I think in the workplace, because relationships are professional (and) not all your colleagues are your best friends, you have to understand how to then operate professionally in the workplace setting at the very least.” 

Dr Mathews said companies need to have formal policies reminding employees to be careful about making racist statements and that casual racism is not tolerated.

While it remains hard to define what is considered casual racism, having a general guideline and letting people know that there are potential penalties, makes people a little more careful, he said.

“In that sense, I do think you will get some commitment towards building a more inclusive space,” said Dr Mathews.

Mr Lim noted that racial discrimination goes two ways, and that all parties have to be conscious of their words and actions.

“A lot of times, we tend to think people should hold space for me. But we forget that we should hold space for others, meaning to say, we want people to respect us (and) not to make any racist remarks against us. But sometimes, you also forget that we should also not do that in return,” he said.

Dr Mathews said it is important to get people into groups and hold conversations about some of their experiences relating to casual racism.

“This is an exploration (and) it is a growth that people have,” he said.

“I think people should be open to that growth and recognising that perhaps there might have been blind spots, and perhaps some of the things and the ways we have interacted with our colleagues may really have conveyed something to them, which was less than who they really are as an individual.”

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Preserving Singapore’s social harmony in the face of emerging threats

Keynote address by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth at the Roses of Peace Youth Forum “Aftermath of Christchurch – Lessons for Singapore” at OnePeople.sg

Introduction

• Good afternoon to all of you, it is my pleasure to join you here today.

Reflection 1: Singapore’s social harmony is not by chance, and not to be taken for granted

• First, Singapore’s social harmony is not by chance, and it should never be taken for granted. Singapore is the world’s most religiously diverse country. Multiracialism and multi-religiosity are key tenets of our national values. We have been tireless in our efforts at building this precious social harmony over the past five decades.

Reflection 2: Preserving our social harmony in the face of emerging threats

• Second, we need to do our utmost to preserve our social harmony in the face of emerging threats. The perpetrator of the Christchurch attacks was influenced by far right white supremacist beliefs. This demonstrates that radicalisation could be present in any religion or any race.
• All of us, as family and friends must be alert if and when we come across these attitudes and stances. Reach out to the person, engage him to understand his situation better, dissuade him from doing anything foolish, and if required, alert the authorities. Doing so helps your loved ones and prevents others from coming to harm.
• Imam Gamal Fouda, who survived the terror attacks, said that the impetus for the attacks did not come out of the blue, but was fanned by anti-Muslim rhetoric. He said, and I quote, “It is a targeted campaign to influence people to dehumanise and irrationally fear Muslims.”
• The attacks coincide with the resurgence of identity politics. More people are identifying along narrow ethnic, cultural and religious lines. There are groups who will try to maximise their space and influence at the expense of others. This would result in communal tension and discord, and sometimes, like in this case, violence and death.
• Religious tensions have been observed in the region. The 2016 gubernatorial election in Jakarta split Indonesian society along religious lines, and a political party urged Muslims not to vote for a Chinese-Christian. This must not become the path for Singapore.
• In Singapore, we wish for every Singaporean, the right and freedom to practice his or her belief of choice. We encourage people of all races, beliefs and backgrounds to interact with one another and we make integration part of our public policies, such as the Housing & Development Board’s (HDB) Ethnic Integration Policy and keeping our schools secular. Every person or group has to be accommodating. It may mean giving up a bit of one’s own space and comfort for others, but in return other groups do the same for the practice of our own beliefs.
• Accordingly, the Government has from the outset, actively fostered a culture of consideration and mutual understanding in Singapore, and instilled values of respect and accommodation. From there, Singaporeans can have a deeper understanding of one another and develop an appreciation of commonalities and differences. With that, friendships built on mutual trust and confidence in one another will grow. Threats in a digital age
• With the prevalence of smart phones and rise of extremist views that propagate easily, the impact of terrorism gets amplified. Before the attacks, the gunman published a manifesto on social media highlighting his extremist views. The live streaming of the attacks further amplified the impact of these attacks.
• The internet enables falsehoods and disinformation to be proliferated at unprecedented speed and scale. Online falsehoods capitalise on insecurities and mistruths, and then undermine our social harmony.

Reflection 3: Singapore’s social harmony

• Third, social harmony is our shared responsibility, and a collective effort. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the community response in New Zealand has been uplifting, with the public standing firmly behind local Muslims.
• Tens of thousands attended prayers and vigils around the country in a show of solidarity with the Muslim community. When prayer sessions at the site of the first shooting resumed, Imam Gamal declared to New Zealanders from all walks of life that “we are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose – that hate will be undone and love will redeem us.”
• In Singapore, our religious and community leaders play a critical role in maintaining solidarity in times of crisis, or when sensitivities arise. The Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) and all the different major faith groups, such as the Catholic Church in Singapore, National Council of Churches Singapore, Singapore Buddhist Federation, the Hindu Endowments Board and Hindu Advisory Board, and the Taoist Federation were quick to condemn the attacks, expressing support for the local Muslim community and emphasising the need for unity across all faiths. I am heartened by the swift responses from our religious and community leaders, who must continue to build our communities and networks of trust.
• The Government will continue to work closely with community partners, such as the IRO, OnePeople.sg, Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCC), and groups such as Roses of Peace to strengthen Singapore’s social harmony, and I must commend the Roses of Peace for very quickly organising this conference because I think it is important for youth in Singapore to take a stand, to condemn such an act and to stay united with one another. This is the only way to send a very, very strong, indisputable message to the other side. Youth have a stake in the future of Singapore’s social cohesion
• The youths in New Zealand showed strength and solidarity. Students from several schools paid tribute to the victims by performing a haka, a ceremonial Maori dance, to mourn the victims and honour the dead.
• The youths’ moving haka was captured on video and circulated on the internet, where it was warmly received. The youth issued a rallying call for Christchurch to rise up and remain resolute. So you see ladies and gentlemen, the internet and social media, so often used to sow discord, were now harnessed for good. The digital space can be an avenue for strengthening relationships, and allow for a respectful exchange of viewpoints.
• Earlier this week, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) released the findings of a survey on Religion in Singapore which found that nearly one in two young Singaporeans are open to religious extremists posting their views online. This is worrying, because extreme online sentiments can affect real-world relationships and perceptions. Frequent posting of extreme views, if left unchecked, will normalise such views and over time, make them main stream. Therefore, Singaporeans must hence be discerning about messages that propagate prejudice relating to race and religion and take a stand against such hatred and prejudices. I encourage youth – youth here and youth outside this room, to also think about how to leverage the online space to strengthen our social cohesion. Let us speak up and also encourage others to do so, to counter divisive remarks that are made behind a veil of anonymity.
• Youths are key agents in effecting positive change, and shaping the future. I would like to commend Roses of Peace, which is a youth-led initiative, for organising today’s session. I hope that the Roses of Peace will keep up its good work in helping to deepen inter-racial and religious understanding amongst our youth, through dialogues and joint action for the common good.
• In June, Singapore will also be hosting an International Conference on Cohesive Societies, organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) with the support of MCCY. The conference will discuss themes on building cohesive societies and interfaith harmony, and will also include a track for youth. Called the Young Leaders Programme, it will provide the next generation of leaders like yourselves a platform to find like-minded collaborators to tackle social challenges. Conclusion
• New Zealand has responded to the attack in an exemplary manner, by standing shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim community, and rallying widespread community support at a difficult and painful moment.
• Singapore is still a young nation; while we are rightly proud of our multi-racial and religious harmony, it is a constant work in progress and it needs every pair of hands on deck to make this a continued success of Singapore.By continuously seeking to understand one another, appreciating our similarities and differences, and building strong bonds, we will build a harmonious society with all your help.
• Finally, I would like to thank Roses of Peace once again for bringing us together. I would also like to thank every one of you present today. Your presence speaks volumes to the stand that you are taking, the support that you are giving to interfaith harmony, and our strong resolve to make Singapore multiracial and multi-religious.
• Thank you very much.

Race & Religion

Safe spaces for constructive conversations. Education on these issues from a young age. Find out what we the participants have to say about race and religion.

On this page

Importance of multiracialism, mutual understanding and cohesion.

We value our multiracial and multicultural society . We feel that it is important to reflect on race in our local context. Some feel that racial discourse from other countries cannot be imported wholesale. Some of us have experienced or witnessed racial discrimination in daily interactions, such as landlords or employers preferring a certain race. We hope that more of us can better understand what it feels like to face discrimination or racism.

Each of us should understand issues about race and religion better . We should step out of our comfort zones to meet with people of different backgrounds, races, and religions. As individuals, we can do more to tackle racist behaviours in society such as by speaking up against racist comments, starting with the people around us.

We hope for more social mixing to foster greater racial and religious cohesion , especially for our children and future generations. Some of us reminisced that there seemed to be more opportunities in the past for people of different races and religions to mingle, such as in schools and neighbourhoods. While many feel that race is important to their identity, we should be united as Singapore and Singaporeans . Existing race-related initiatives or policies need to be reviewed continually. We hope for more partnership opportunities with community leaders and government agencies in these areas.

Race and religion in our education system

We hope that education about the complexities of race and religion can start from young . Our understanding of racial harmony should go beyond a basic appreciation of other cultures’ cuisines and artistic heritage. For example, we could have a Racial Harmony Month, or equip parents and teachers with resources to help guide and facilitate discussions on more sensitive issues revolving around race, religion, and cultural beliefs in Singapore’s context. Some of us feel that our youth should be taught to think critically, and be better equipped to talk about sensitive topics.

Hope to see how to deepen the program for the yearly July event: a Racial Harmony Month instead of just having dances, singing etc. to make our society more racially harmonious after COVID-19.

Constructive dialogue on race and religion

As a society, we need to be able to engage, listen, and reason with facts when discussing sensitive issues like race and religion . We hope to have more inclusive and safe spaces for people to discuss such issues, and enable those who feel marginalised to speak up about their personal experiences. Without these platforms for discussion, we worry that people may turn to venting online anonymously. Some of us acknowledge that younger people tend to speak up more on race and religion issues, while others may be less comfortable discussing such issues. We need to find ways for different groups to have meaningful dialogue with each other. We hope that conversations on sensitive issues will be kind and compassionate.

We feel strongly that such dialogues and conversations build mutual understanding between different races and religions . We think that the government could facilitate this process, but should not try to shape the conversation. We also hope that these conversations will lead to tangible action and change.

Hope to have open dialogues about race and religion, getting those who feel marginalised to speak about their experiences and encourage mutual understanding.

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Maintaining social and racial harmony, gender equality key themes of S'pore's human rights review at UN

SINGAPORE - Singapore takes a pragmatic approach to human rights, and by doing so, it aims to achieve two things: tangible outcomes while adhering to the rule of law; and a balance between the interests of the individual and the broader needs of society.

In this process, it has had to make difficult policy decisions as a small, multiracial and multi-religious society, said Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee on Wednesday (May 12) during a routine review of Singapore's human rights record by the United Nations.

"We strive to achieve better outcomes for our people in a manner that reflects our national context and realities. Forging a common national identity while maintaining racial and social harmony is therefore of paramount importance."

Professor Chan added that Singapore, like the rest of the world, has been hit by the pandemic, leading to the country's worst recession since its independence in 1965.

This is why it took swift measures to cushion its population, especially the low-income and the vulnerable, from the worst of the impact, she said.

"Given the long-term, structural challenges, we are taking measures to emerge stronger and better in the post-Covid-19 world - by strengthening our social compact, and building a more resilient and sustainable home for our people."

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) looks at the human rights records of all 193 UN member states every five years. Singapore's 20-page report submitted to the UN in January covered a wide range of topics, including the country's efforts to advance migrant worker well-being and protect women from discrimination.

The report is usually discussed in person at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the process, other member states can pose questions or make recommendations to the country under review.

Singapore's participation this year was in hybrid format, with the permanent representative of Singapore to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Umej Bhatia, and his team attending there, and Prof Chan joining virtually from Singapore.

Eliminating racial discrimination

Over a three-hour session, Prof Chan outlined Singapore's approach to promoting and protecting human rights.

She noted that Singapore ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 2017, which was a recommendation made at its second UPR in 2016.

"This underscores Singapore's unwavering commitment to work towards a society free from racial discrimination, and in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequality," she said. "While Singapore's multiracial social fabric has been strong, we must not be complacent."

Social policies and gender equality

The Government has increased grants to help more Singaporeans acquire their own homes, paying special attention to low-income families. It has also invested significantly in early childhood education.

"We will continue to work hard to preserve social mobility, so that every Singaporean has a good education and a fair shot at success, regardless of their background. This is fundamental to our meritocratic society," she said.

She stressed the importance of lifelong learning and the need to prepare Singaporeans to cope with structural economic shifts through the SkillsFuture programme.

More social services and social protections have been introduced to support the vulnerable, she said, citing cash supplements to lower wage workers and the elderly; and the SG Digital Office to drive digital adoption.

"We have also enhanced access to quality and affordable care for older persons, including measures that enable them to age comfortably within their communities."

Describing Singapore's efforts to eliminate discrimination against women and enhance gender equality, she cited a series of national conversations on women's development, launched in September 2020.

These conversations will result in a White Paper to be submitted to Parliament in the second half of this year.

Following Wednesday's UPR, an outcome report will be prepared and Singapore may choose to accept the recommendations made.

After its first review in 2011, Singapore supported, in whole or in part, 84 of the 112 recommendations made. And it did so for 125 out of 236 recommendations after the second review in 2016.

In his remarks on Wednesday, Mr Bhatia said Singapore remains committed to the regular review of its policies and approaches to ensure that no one is left behind.

"Singapore has focused on achieving tangible outcomes for our people, while respecting our human rights obligations. Policymaking, however, does not exist in a vacuum and is informed by evolving societal perspectives and circumstances," he said.

"It requires maintaining a dynamic and delicate balance between different segments of our society, while managing demands to privilege one group over others."

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Racial Harmony Day

Singapore infopedia.

Racial Harmony Day is an annual event held on 21 July to commemorate the communal riots of 1964 and teach students the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony in Singapore’s multicultural and multi-ethnic society. It was launched in 1997 as part of the National Education programme conducted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for schools. 1  Racial Harmony Day celebrations are also carried out by grassroots organisations such as the People’s Association (PA), community development councils (CDCs) and OnePeople.sg to strengthen race relations among Singaporeans. 2  Since the first Racial Harmony Day, the event has undergone a series of expansions to widen its reach. Background In 1996, tests conducted by MOE on students and street polls showed that many Singaporeans, particularly those from the post-independence generation, knew little about their country’s history. These findings led then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to call for a citizenship education programme, known as National Education, to become a part of the school curriculum. 3  National Education was officially launched by then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 17 May 1997, with the aim to “develop national cohesion, the instinct for survival and confidence in [Singapore’s] future”. 4  During the launch, Racial Harmony Day was designated as one of several key events to be celebrated in schools as part of the programme. The day commemorates the communal riots that broke out on 21 July 1964 between Malays and Chinese during a Muslim procession celebrating the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday . The historical event serves to remind Singaporeans of the need to maintain racial understanding and tolerance among the different communities in Singapore. 5 Racial Harmony Day in schools Schools organise a range of cross-cultural activities for students during Racial Harmony Day, which may extend to become a weeklong event. Some of these activities include dressing up in ethnic costumes, sampling ethnic food and playing traditional games. Students also revisit the 1964 communal riots in different ways such as skits, talks and oral history accounts. 6 Grassroots involvement Central Singapore Joint Social Service Centre In 1997, the Central Singapore Joint Social Service Centre (CS JSSC) was set up by the Central Singapore CDC with the assistance of five ethnic self-help groups: Chinese Development Assistance Council, Yayasan MENDAKI, Singapore Indian Development Association , Eurasian Association and Association of Muslim Professionals . Then-Prime Minister Goh had envisioned the establishment of a joint body like the CS JSSC to allow self-help groups and community organisations to work together in promoting racial harmony and community bonding. 7  In 2001, the CS JSSC began coordinating activities for Racial Harmony Day with the PA. 8 Community development councils To promote racial harmony at the district level, a few CDCs began participating in Racial Harmony Day in 1998. 9  The following year, the North East CDC and Buddha’s Light Association (Singapore) set up a S$100,000 fund to support heritage tours and forums, as well as school activities related to Racial Harmony Day. A total of 48 primary and secondary schools were slated to benefit from this fund. 10  In 2000, with the help of the PA, all nine CDCs at the time joined in the Racial Harmony Day celebrations. During the month of July, they organised activities that foster community bonding and social cohesion. 11 People’s Association In 2001, the PA started working with the CS JSSC to coordinate activities for the celebrations. 12  Since then, the PA has been a key organisation in the annual festivities. In 2002, for example, the PA, together with schools and other community groups, organised over 120 events to mark the occasion. 13 OnePeople.sg In 2007, CS JSSC was repositioned as OnePeople.sg to work together with the CDCs, community self-help groups and the PA in promoting racial harmony initiatives. 14 Other organisations The National Heritage Boar d and its various museums took part in the Racial Harmony Day celebrations in 2001. Activities organised by the National Heritage Board included an exhibition at the National Archives titled “Living History: Tracing Our Customs and Traditions” and another exhibition at the Singapore Philatelic Museum, which explored Singapore’s ethnic cultures through stamps and postcards . 15 In 2003, the National Arts Council also participated in Racial Harmony Day by presenting a concert that included ethnic dance and musical performances. 16 Later developments Orange Ribbon Celebrations Besides food tasting, games, homestays and the practice of donning ethnic costumes, a few key activities have been introduced to the Racial Harmony Day celebrations over the years. The practice of wearing orange ribbons – the colour symbolising racial harmony and intolerance towards racism – first began in 2001, when the Singapore History Museum (now known as the National Museum of Singapore ) introduced it in a school. 17  Since 2008, OnePeople.sg has organised the Orange Ribbon Celebrations, a signature month-long event held every July, to commemorate racial harmony on a national level. 18 Declaration on Religious Harmony In October 2002, then Prime Minister Goh unveiled a draft code to serve as a guide for Singaporeans to practise their respective religions and strengthen interreligious confidence. The code was drafted in response to the challenge posed by terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah to religious harmony in Singapore. 19 A multireligious team, headed by then Minister of State (Ministry of Community Development and Sports, and Prime Minister's Office) Chan Soo Sen, was subsequently formed to work on finalising the code. The team consulted various community and religious leaders, national religious bodies, the national steering committee for the Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (now known as the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle) as well as the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony. 20 The finalised code, known as the Declaration on Religious Harmony , was unveiled to the public in June 2003. Representatives of the national religious bodies propagated the declaration to their respective congregations and worked together to resolve any queries from the public regarding it. 21  The declaration was first recited by students, grassroots organisations and religious groups during the Racial Harmony Day celebrations in 2003. 22 Text of Declaration on Religious Harmony 23 WE, the people in Singapore, declare that religious harmony is vital for peace, progress and prosperity in our multi-racial and multi-religious Nation. We resolve to strengthen religious harmony through mutual tolerance, confidence, respect and understanding. We shall always Recognise the secular nature of our State, Promote cohesion within our society, Respect each other's freedom of religion, Grow our common space while respecting our diversity, Foster interreligious communications, and thereby ensure that religion will not be abused to create conflict and disharmony in Singapore. Beyond race and religion During the Racial Harmony Day celebrations in 2012, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned about new fault lines emerging in Singapore society that went beyond race and religion, such as the rising tensions between new and old citizens due to differing norms and habits. He thus encouraged more interaction between the two groups to promote better understanding and integration of new citizens. 24  Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat delivered a similar message during the 2014 celebrations when he called on Singaporeans to embrace greater diversity by going beyond the main races to respect everyone who resides in Singapore, regardless of their race, language or religion. 25 Authors Loh Pei Ying & Jamie Han References 1. “ Racial Harmony Day ,” National Heritage Board, updated on 14 September 2021. 2. “ About ,” OnePeople.sg, accessed 2012. 3. Tan A. and Wan R., “Introduction to National Education in Singapore,” in  Securing Our Future: Sourcebook for Infusing National Education into the Primary School Curriculum , ed. Steven Tan Kwang San and Goh Chor Boon (Singapore: Prentice Hall, 2003), 3. (Call no. RSING 372.95957 SEC) 4. Lee Hsien Loong, “ Launch of National Education ,” speech, Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) TV Theatre, 17 May 1967, transcript, Ministry of Information and the Arts. (From National Archives of Singapore, document no. 1997051607) 5. “Racial Harmony Day”; Tommy Thong Bee Koh, et al. eds., Singapore : The Encyclopedia (Singapore: Editions Didier Millet in association with the National Heritage Board, 2006), 437–38. (Call no. RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS]) 6.  ‘Hi, your Flowers Match my Baju…’ ,”  Straits Times , 22 July 1997, 1; Allson de Souza and Tracy Quek, “ Schools Mark Occasion with Cross-Cultural Events ,” Straits Times , 22 July 1997, 38; Allson de Souza, “ Catholic High Students Broadcast History Programmes ,”  Straits Times , 21 July 1997, 27; Audra Lim, “ Ethnic Groups Gear Up for Racial Harmony Week ,”  Today ,   24 July 2001 , 24. (From NewspaperSG) 7. OnePeople. sg, "About.” 8. “ Feast of Activities to Celebrate Racial Harmony Day ,” Today , 18 July 2001, 5; Lim, “ Ethnic Groups Gear Up for Racial Harmony Week .”  9. Lim, “ Ethnic Groups Gear Up for Racial Harmony Week ”; Teo Chee Hean, " The Racial Harmony Day organised by Pasir Ris Zone ‘11’ RC, Northeast CDC and Loyang Secondary School ,” speech, Aquarius Park, 18 July 1998, transcript, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. (From National Archives of Singapore, document no. 1998071804) 10. “ Fund for Racial Harmony Set Up ,” Straits Times , 24 November 1999, 47. (From NewspaperSG) 11. Jack Hee, “ CDCs Celebrate Racial Harmony Day ,”  Straits Times,  21 July 2000 , 51; “ Islandwide Fun for Racial Harmony Day ,” Straits Times , 19 July 2000, 51. (From NewspaperSG) 12. “ Feast of Activities ”; Lim, “ Ethnic Groups Gear Up .”  13. “ Harmony Every Day ,” Straits Times , 21 July 2002, 38. (From NewspaperSG) 14. “About.” 15. “ Feast of Activities ”; Lim, “ Ethnic Groups Gear Up .”  16. “ Cultural Infusion ,” Straits Times , 17 July 2003, 28. (From NewspaperSG) 17. “ Orange Ribbon for Racial Harmony Day ,” Straits Times , 23 July 2001, 10. (From NewspaperSG) 18. Jessica Jaganathan, “ 1st Orange Ribbon Event for Newcomers to Mix ,” Straits Times, 7 July 2008, 24. (From NewspaperSG); “ National Orange Ribbon Celebrations ,” People’s Association, last updated 25 August 2021. 19. “ PM Condemns ‘Dastardly Acts’ at S’pore’s Doorstep ,” Straits Times , 15 October 2002, 1. (From NewspaperSG) 20. “ Multi-Religious Team to Draft Harmony Code ,” Straits Times , 2 November 2002, 6. (From NewspaperSG) 21. Neo Hui Min, “ More than Words, a S’pore Way of Life ,” Straits Times , 10 June 2003, 1. (From NewspaperSG) 22. Neo Hui Min, “ A Religious Harmony Pledge for Everyone ,” Straits Times , 19 July 2003, 15; Neo Hui Min, “ Reliving the Kampong Days – and its Spirit ,”  Straits Times , 20 July 2003, 32. (From NewspaperSG) 23. Neo, “ More than Words .”  24. Toh Yong Chuan, “ PM Warns of New Fault Lines in S’pore ,”  Straits Times,  11 July 2012, 3. (From NewspaperSG) 25. Pearl Lee, “ Reach Out Beyond Main Races Here ,”  Straits Times , 22 July 2014, 5. (From NewspaperSG) Further resources April Cheong and Yen Feng, “ Call to Build Trust Among Races ,” Straits Times , 20 July 2009, 20. (From NewspaperSG)

Eugene K B Tan, “ Celebrate, Don’t Fear, Diversity ,” Today,  21 July 2010, 16. (From NewspaperSG) Gurmeet Singh, “ A Taste of Our History ,”  Today , 14 July 2003, 23. (From NewspaperSG) “ How has Religious Harmony Fared Since 1989? ,” Straits Times , 24 July 2009, 19. (From NewspaperSG) Inter-Religious Harmony Circle, Declaration on Religious Harmony , postcard (Singapore: Author, 2007). (Call no. RCLOS O1061)

Lai Kew Chai, “ One United People ,” Straits Times , 22 July 2008, 110. (From NewspaperSG)

Ong Dai Lin, “ Bus Tour Takes you Places, Promotes Racial Harmony ,”  Today , 11 July 2011, 6. (From NewspaperSG) Tay Kay Chin, “ Schools Mark Racial Harmony Day ,”  Straits Times,  22 July 1988, 22. (From NewspaperSG) Zainudin Nordin, “ Whither Race Relations in S’pore? ,” Straits Times , 23 July 2011, 32. (From NewspaperSG)

The information in this article is valid as at 29 September 2014 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic. 

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Diversity In Harmony: The Singapore Story

Take a stroll along Telok Ayer Street, and you will come across a church, a mosque, two temples and an Indian Muslim heritage centre that used to be a shrine.

More than beautiful sights, the neighbourly co-existence of these places of worship paints a picture of religious diversity and harmony in Singapore.

Forming a Cohesive Singapore Tapestry

Singapore is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. In fact, it took the top spot in a 2014 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank headquartered in Washington DC.

Singapore is home to many ethnic groups, each of which brought their religious practices when they sailed across seas and oceans in search of a better life on an island that is no bigger than a dot on the world map.

Drawn to the opportunities created by Sir Stamford Raffles’ decision to set up a trading port in Singapore, people started arriving from regions such as southern China, India and the Malay Archipelago – even as far as Europe and the Middle East!

Putting down roots in this foreign land, the newcomers went on to build places of worship so that they could come together to express their faiths within their communities. These early-day efforts paved the way for the making of a multi-religious Singapore.

Today, many religions are registered here, ranging from Buddhism to Christianity, Hinduism , Islam , Taoism , Baha’i Faith , Jainism , Judaism , Sikhism and Zoroastrianism. Buddhism has the biggest following, with 31.1% of the population declaring that they are adherents of the faith in a 2020 census.

Religious Freedom and Harmony Go Hand In Hand

With such diversity in the religious landscape spread across a land area of just 728 square kilometers, Singapore’s 5.69 million residents have learnt to live, work and play harmoniously in close proximity with each other.

The State is secular, but not against religion.The people are free to practise their faiths, as long as the activities do not have a negative impact on public order, health or morality.

This position has been well received by religious groups here, and is often exercised with tolerance and compromise.

For example, mosques lower the volume of their loudspeakers when broadcasting the prayer call, in consideration of their non-Muslim neighbours. Christians also exercise restraint in sharing the gospel with people of other faiths, as a mark of respect for the difference in religious views.

Through give and take, religious groups in Singapore have gone beyond co-existing in peaceful harmony, to be on friendly terms with each other – even extending goodwill.

In one of many instances of inter-faith kindness , two Taoist temples, Lian Sheng Tan and Shan Fu Gong, shared the tentage set up for their separate Hungry Ghost Festival events with their neighbour, Masjid Ar-Raudhah mosque, so that about 1,000 congregants can be sheltered for Hari Raya Haji prayers.

The More We Get Together…

For a young nation, the display of such grace among religious groups is something that does not come easy. It is the culmination of hard work from all levels of society to foster a spirit of common understanding and unity.

The Housing and Development Board’s Ethnic Integration Policy, for instance, ensures a balanced mix of ethnic groups living in housing estates.

From its establishment in 1989, the policy has brought people of different cultures, customs and religious practices together. Sharing a common corridor, attending the same school in the neighbourhood and basically growing up alongside each other paves the way for friendships and trust to be formed between neighbours. This also makes it easier to develop a mutual understanding that enables people to overcome differences in cultural and religious beliefs and practices.

There are also a number of inter-faith platforms and organisations, such as the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle (Harmony Circle) and Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore (IRO), that seek to build friendship and cooperation between religious groups through inter-faith events and networks.

As of 2022, more than 771 religious organisations in Singapore have signed a commitment to safeguard religious harmony, an initiative spearheaded by various faith groups and supported by the Harmony Circle.

Another thing going for multi-racial and multi-religious Singapore is the abundance of festivals here. Some of these commemorate religious occasions, like Christmas, Deepavali and Hari Raya Haji, allowing the public to gain a better understanding of the festivals associated with different faiths. A day of rest also means that people can celebrate together, even if they do not practise the religion.

A Multi-Racial and Multi-Religious Singapore

Though Singapore does not boast a long history, it has become a place where cultures and religions coexist in harmony. It is here that people have the freedom – and the confidence – to practise their faiths alongside each other, with a healthy appreciation for others’ beliefs.

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Racial Harmony Day 2019: “The Singapore Connection”

Published Date: 22 July 2019 12:00 AM

News Press Releases

1. Racial Harmony Day (RHD) 2019 celebrates The Singapore Connection, where students reflect on the shared experiences and values that have connected us as Singaporeans. Students are also encouraged to consider how we can create a more open and inclusive culture, even as our society becomes increasingly complex.

2. Schools commemorate RHD each year by emphasising the values of respect and harmony in our interracial relations. Since its inception in 1998, RHD has promoted interracial understanding among our students, and is a key part of our National Education efforts.

School visits

3. President Halimah Yacob and MOE's political office holders joined students at the following schools to commemorate RHD today:

by Team Bukit Timah

Essay details and submission instructions below, details are also available in the following languages:.

Racial Harmony in Singapore Essay Competition

The Bukit Timah CCC and Kowloon Club proudly co-present its very first Primary School Creative Writing Competition with the theme of "Harmony amidst Diversity”.

All primary school students living in the Bukit Timah Division, as well as students currently enrolled in Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School and Bukit Timah Primary School, are encouraged to write about their experiences and feelings about racial harmony in  their mother tongue languages (Mandarin, Malay or Tamil) or English.

Through this competition, we hope to inspire primary school students in expressing their enthusiasm and creativity through their mother tongue languages.

Featured Submissions

Theme: harmony amidst diversity.

What are the stories in your life that showcase harmony amidst diversity?

Singapore has always been a multiracial and multi-religious country. In order to commemorate and celebrate the mutual understanding and harmony among all ethnic groups, the government has designated 21st of July each year as Racial Harmony Day.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once compared racial harmony to an orchestra:

“Participants need to work well together despite different backgrounds. It is a lifelong process, and will always need fine-tuning. In Singapore, harmony amidst diversity is one of our proudest achievements. We celebrate differences that strengthen rather than divide us. When we are in harmony, we can make beautiful music together.”

To celebrate this occasion, we would like you to share with us your story of harmony amidst diversity! The theme of the essay can include any aspects that show multiracial experiences, and acts of intercultural sharing or understanding.

Submitted by: Almyra Asmadi

Submitted by: Andrea Heng

Submitted by: Amrita Thamburaj 

Submitted by: Estee Koh

Submitted by: Max Zhang

Submitted by: Wang Yiqing 

Submitted by: Clara Tan

Submitted by: Joia Kor

Click here to download full essay

Submitted by: Evangeline Sim

Submitted by: Gou Rou Ern

Submitted by: Kaitlyn Tan

Submitted by: Noemi Tahlia Bakke

Submitted by: Sage Ong

Submitted by: Tsen Si Rong

Attribution Statement & Personal Data Protection

Any submission of drawing/essay for the competition implies accepting that the organisers and all partners retains unlimited, non-exclusive rights to reproduction (including edit, recreate, translate, display, publish etc. on various platforms in various forms of the participants’ drawing/essay) without further compensation. 

When submitting drawing/essay for the competition, it is agreed that the organisers and partners will directly contact the participants on the matters of the competition through phone calls, short messages, emails, etc. The organisers and partners cannot privately forward the personal information provided by the participants to other organisations or individuals unrelated to the competition without the permission of the participants.

For enquiries, please contact Janice (Bukit Timah CC) at

6466 2912 or email to [email protected] .

Robe-wearing DJ NewJeansNim draws complaints from Singapore Buddhists

The South Korean performer has been praised in his homeland for boosting interest in Buddhism, but Southeast Asia has been less welcoming.

Singapore – A popular South Korean DJ ‘monk’, known for donning a cleric’s robes and combining electronic dance music with Buddhist mantras, is stirring controversy among the faithful in Singapore who claim he is denigrating the religion.

On Sunday, May 19, the Singapore Buddhist Federation called for NewJeansNim’s two performances at a disco club in June to be cancelled. In a Facebook post, it noted that the DJ dons a monk’s robe even though he is not ordained – this is “against [the] Vinaya”, or the code of conduct for Buddhist monks. The federation urged authorities to cancel his performance permits in order to “avoid bringing embarrassment to Buddhists”.

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Now, the government has got involved with Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam warning on Facebook that “action will be taken” should NewJeansNim – whose real name is Youn Sung-ho – proceed with his usual act. The comments on the minister’s post were broadly supportive, with many urging him to cancel the DJ’s performances altogether.

In accordance with an advisory from the Singapore Police Force, performance venue Club Rich’s owner, Jackie He, told Al Jazeera that the events, which have sold out, will be “non-religious”- and they will ensure NewJeansNim does not wear a monk’s robe, use a religious instrument or play any music that is related to a Buddhist chant. A member of the club’s management added that Youn had agreed to the terms, noting that the Buddhist elements are just one part of his repertoire. There has been no official comment from Youn himself.

Kelvin Siau, a lifelong Buddhist, told he Al Jazeera he would prefer that authorities go further. “He should be barred from entering Singapore. This is to show that Singapore is a strict country [on] religious matters,” said the 42-year-old, who said he found NewJeansNim’s act “disrespectful” and “an insult to the image of Buddhism and the monks”.

Club Rich is located near one of the largest and most popular Buddhist temples in Singapore. According to a 2020 census, more than a third of Singapore’s population is Buddhist, making it the city-state’s leading religion.

Leow Yuan Kai, 36, another lifelong Buddhist, was more forgiving about the show, however.

“My friends and I do not think the performance has enough cause for concern,” he said. “It’s a performance in a night club with a very specific demographic as its audience after all.”

Riling the faithful

It is the second time in recent weeks that Youn, a 47-year-old comedian-turned-musician, has riled Buddhists in Southeast Asia. In early May, a dance club in Kuala Lumpur cancelled his second set “in the interest of social harmony” following complaints by both senior Buddhist clergy, as well as politicians who urged Malaysian authorities to ban him from future events.

By contrast, the shaven-headed, homily-dispensing Youn is a rising star in his home country, beloved by Gen Z and Millennial fans. He has also performed in places such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Youn has even been employed by the Jogye Order, South Korea’s largest Buddhist order, to help spread the faith. Its president thanked him for “spreading a much younger Buddhism to the young generation”, according to the Korea Herald.

Associate professor Jack Chia of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) history department, an expert on Buddhism in Southeast Asia, told Al Jazeera that for historical and socioeconomic reasons, there are significant differences between East Asia and Southeast Asia when it comes to expectations about the roles and conduct of Buddhist monks.

“Buddhists in Malaysia, Singapore and Southeast Asia more broadly would find it offensive for a nonordained person to be dressed and performing in monastic robes in the name of Buddhism,” he said, adding that the performances were also taking place in a club which serves alcohol, whose consumption is forbidden by one of Buddhism’s five precepts.

By contrast, with the decline of religion – particularly Buddhism – in South Korea, the Buddhist community there is looking for creative ways to inspire interest in Buddhism among the younger generation. “It is no surprise that [the progressive Jogye Order] supports innovative methods to promote Buddhism and are happy to endorse NewJeansNim’s unconventional Buddhist DJ music,” Chia said.

He also pointed to Japanese Buddhists who have performed rock and hip-hop Buddhist music and even opened bars to attract a younger generation.  Zen monk Kanho Yakushiji’s music has also been well-received by Buddhist communities worldwide.

Racial and religious harmony

Like Malaysia , Singapore is a multicultural, multireligious and multilingual society. It is particularly sensitive to anything that might disrupt racial and religious harmony. Authorities often invoke the spectre of racial riots from the 1960s, in which dozens were killed. Strict laws give authorities expansive powers to deal with those deemed to have crossed “red lines” on race and religion.

The conditions of a public entertainment licence for an establishment state that the entertainment on offer must not be likely to cause offence to any race, religion, ethnicity or nationality, or potentially cause disharmony among different groups. Authorities are quick to act on any potential strife. In 2019, despite agreeing to adhere to strict requirements, Swedish black metal band Watain saw its performance permit withdrawn after an online petition against its concerts.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said at the time that Watain had a history of denigrating religions and promoting violence, which had the potential to disrupt the city-state’s social harmony.

“Singapore’s approach to religious and racial harmony – like many other things – is to act on complaints, often based on hurt feelings,” noted analyst Chong Ja Ian of NUS’s political science department. “There is a logic that says, if there are hurt feelings, the state must step in to resolve a situation, assure, and make sure nothing happens just in case there may be the chance of escalation.”

Chong added: “Such an approach may inadvertently encourage various groups to complain as loudly as they can about how hurt they are in anticipation of a crackdown. Less clear to me is what happens to groups and individuals that do not or cannot complain as loudly or as stridently, or what happens to society’s ability to accommodate difference.”