[ Media Invite ]
What does SG Secure means to you?
The kids were not even born when 911 terrorism striked World Trade Centers. 15 years later, I still cannot fathom why anyone would want to drive Boeing 747s into buildings!
2016 National Day Rally, PM Lee mentioned that terrorism is getting nearer to our shores. Not a matter of IF but WHEN.
Chilling thought, but this is the World which our kids will inherit.
Protecting Singapore is not just the job of our security agencies or armed forces. It requires every citizen to be vigilant and if the unthinkable should happen, we must carry on with our way of life.
Go to school or work place, do your grocery shopping and commute as per normal.
If we allowed terrorists to disrupt our lifestyles, to allow fanatics to tear our communities apart, we would have been defeated, Singapore would cease to exist.
In that context, I thought it was timely to orientate the kids with Singapore’s multi-ethnic society at Harmony In Diversity Gallery (HDG).
There are four sections within Harmony In Diversity Gallery.
– Gallery One: Journey of Faith
– Gallery Two: Seeking what is Common
– Gallery Three: Many Faiths, One People
– Gallery Four: WE, THE PEOPLE OF SINGAPORE
Ten religions from Singapore are featured in the gallery, I admit I only know the main religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christians etc) from the main races makeup in Singapore.
Q&A, no right or wrong answer, follow your heart. We are tested on our understanding of inter-faith relationships in Singapore.
Sample question “Are all Indians Hindus?”
Viewing a running commentary of how the Maria Hertogh riots happened in Singapore. There are plenty of interactions within the different sections.
Fortunately for us, we do not have to read about terrorists attacks on our soil yet. But these newspaper clippings proved our forefathers’ lived through the turmoils in the 50s and 60s.
Two generations have grown up in stable Singapore, it is always a challenge to remind my kids to treasure Singapore’s peace and not take our religious harmony for granted.
Singapore’s policies aim to be secular, so that everyone can practice their faiths with freedom. However, there are laws to protect Singapore’s state of religious harmony (just in case some fanatics, not necessary Muslim, decide to preach hate rhetorics which pits races and religions against each other).
In my own view, people who claim “freedom of speech” to blemish other faiths is all bullshit. I hope my kids will be accountable and responsible (sensitive too!) for words coming from their own mouth.
Looking for common grounds among the inter-faiths. It is always easier and more effective to work together based on our common strengths.
I truly believe that all Religions teach us to do good, it is only humans who distort teachings to suit their own agenda.
Meditation and Fasting across religions, and I thought only Muslims Fast during Ramadan π
We learned that beads are used by many Faiths.
Golden Rules among the religions in Singapore, common traits like charities and giving back to societies, helping the weak.
Contributing and improving the standard of Health, Education and Charities.
Different areas of worship and their significance. Example of Chinese and Indian temples (Waterloo’s Sri Krishnan and Kwan Im ) devotees visiting both temples to seek blessings.
Shared experiences and memories among Singapore’s different ethnic and religious makeup. Interactions along common areas like coffeeshops, void decks and letter boxes.
We have seen so many weddings and funerals in nearby vicinity, which is unique in Singapore. What is remarkable is everyone is accommodating and understanding.
Coffee shops where everyone mingles regardless of our faiths and believes.
Kids will have some clue books and tasks to complete during their tour. This might help them to understand Singapore’s unique diversity and better appreciate our differences.
In the last gallery, we each pledge to make Singapore better. I wish to expose my kids to more of Singapore’s various cultures.
To quote from HDG “Will we let our differences divide us or our commonalities unite us?“. Embrace each other’s differences π
More info about Harmony in Diversity Gallery :
– Website – https://www.harmonyindiversitygallery.sg
– Facebook
– Ministry of National Development (MND) Building Annexe B, 7 Maxwell Road, #04-05/06, Singapore 069111
– Entrance is free and open to public, Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
– Nearest MRT is Tanjong Pagar (5 min walk)
* Singapore SG Secure initiative (link)
** Harmony in Diversity Gallery should not be confused with The Harmony Centre (An-Nahdhah Mosque) in Bishan
You might be interested to know how SengkangBabies prepare for emergency or our thoughts on racism in Singapore :
– https://sengkangbabies.com/family-2/trip-emergency-preparedness-centre
– https://sengkangbabies.com/parenting/stay-prepared-in-an-emergency
– https://sengkangbabies.com/campaign/total-defence
– https://sengkangbabies.com/parenting/what-can-we-learn-from-the-riot
– https://sengkangbabies.com/parenting/are-you-a-racist
