Annual Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) Iftar – Speech by Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs

RRG Co-Chairmen, Ustaz Mohamed Hasbi Hassan, and Ustaz Dr Mohamed Ali,

Senior Advisor Mr Teo Chee Hean,

Ministers and colleagues,

Mufti,

Community and Religious Leaders,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,


Introduction

1. Very good evening to all of you.

2. Thank you for inviting me and my colleagues. We are happy to join you here today.

3. We would like to wish all our Muslim friends a very blessed Ramadan.


A Precious Peace in an Uncertain World

4. We meet at a time of great stress around the world, and parts of this region. Both political stress as well as economic stress. And that is causing tremendous tensions in many societies, violence in many places, wars between countries.

5. In the middle of all of this, we remain a small oasis of peace. That is because we focus on on a number of fundamentals.

6. A lot of it has got to do with governance, handling the economy, making sure there are jobs, but one key fundamental is also racial and religious Harmony. It is very important to us. It maintains the peace within Singapore. It is not the only thing that maintains the peace, but it is a key aspect of maintaining the peace. Because we get that wrong, a lot of things can go wrong.

7. So whatever happens externally, in the world, we try not to bring those problems in here.

8. Where it is possible and appropriate to help, we give help, humanitarian help, for people elsewhere.

9. At the same time, our framework, our laws do not allow our people to get involved in violence overseas. They are not allowed to go and fight overseas, in foreign causes, whether for countries or for organisations like ISIS, whether they fight in Ukraine or Russia or Gaza, for any side. That will be contrary to our laws and action will be taken.

10. I say that because every now and then there are some, you know, suggestions of a Singaporean fighting in this cause or that cause. You know, with fake news, you never know what is true and what is not true. But when it is a Singaporean and identified, and we know, action will be taken. If they are in Singapore, ISD will detain them, and we have done so before.


The Importance of the RRG

11. Many organisations play an important role in maintaining social harmony, including racial and religious Harmony.

12. The RRG, we have made this point several times, is an extremely important organisation in this context. It helps us to maintain a harmonious society.

13. The messages of interfaith harmony and mutual respect are at the core of our efforts to rehabilitate individuals who have been radicalised by extremist ideologies.

14. The RRG’s long-standing approach of “winning hearts and minds” has been extremely important in rehabilitation, and in addressing the underlying conditions that make individuals vulnerable to extremist thinking in the first place.

15. The RRG provides credible and accessible counter-narratives through many initiatives, for example, the Majulah Gallery and its digital outreach which is necessary for the current environment.

16. These narratives affirm coexistence and mutual respect, especially for younger audiences navigating a very polarised online space.

17. The RRG’s work is also strengthened by a wider ecosystem of community and interfaith support.

18. These quiet and sustained contributions reinforce interfaith harmony at the ground level. They create the conditions under which rehabilitation, prevention and reintegration can meaningfully succeed.


Singapore’s Secular Framework Protects All Religions

19. In Singapore, we take a secular approach that protects all religions, that does not seek to favour any one group, and gives each community the space to practise their faith.

20. Arguments that are made in public space, debates that are held in public space are and should be based on public policy reasons.

21. Because if we bring religion into those arguments, then others will also bring their religion into those arguments. – Then it becomes a question of whose God is bigger, and we will never find a solution to that. So, we will all be informed by our faith, for those of us who believe in religion, but when you make (arguments), we try and encourage that debates in public square should be based on arguments that are neutral to everyone; even though in the background, they may be influenced by our own views.

22. What matters is that we engage one another with mutual respect, and ensure that public decisions serve all Singaporeans, regardless of faith.

The Role of Religious Leaders in Singapore

23. Our religious and community leaders play a critical role, by helping to set the tone for harmony in Singapore.

24. People listen when you as leaders reach out across faiths, you speak up for unity and compassion, and you serve those in need, regardless of their background, or race or religion.

25. Your example as religious leaders speaks powerfully.

26. This is why platforms such as the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), and initiatives like the Harmony Circles are extremely valuable.

27. They bring leaders and communities together regularly. They build understanding and friendships across faiths.

28. When challenges arise, these relationships allow communities to respond calmly and constructively, support one another, instead of letting misunderstandings divide us.

29. Your leadership is extremely important, particularly valuable in today’s digital age.

30. Many young people get their news from the online space. They are searching for identity. They are searching for community. They are searching for belonging.

31. Some of you might have read about the case of a 14-year-old boy in the news last month. He was self-radicalised online. He wanted to travel overseas when he was older, to fight and die as a martyr.

32. Cases such as these, involving young people, are especially troubling. They are vulnerable and they need trusted adults and mentors to guide them.

33. That is what, in the large context, our religious and community leaders have done successfully, which is why Singapore is very different from many other places. You don't have those debates. The toxic debates that are taking place across many societies, developed and developing, you don't have those here..

Closing

34. In closing, I would like to thank all of you, the RRG and ACG leaders and members, the Khadijah Mosque Management Board and volunteers, and our friends from across the various faith communities, for your dedication and care in serving our society.

35. Your quiet but important contributions help to keep Singapore safe, cohesive and harmonious.

36. Let us continue working together so that future generations inherit a Singapore, where people of all faiths can practise their beliefs freely, where our religious diversity brings us closer and is a source of strength instead of dividing us, and where our shared Singaporean identity is stronger than our differences.

37. Thank you.