Singapore Deputy PM (DPM) Teo Chee Hean, who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security, spoke about a meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Dr Ahmed Al Tayyeb, at the annual Religious Rehabilitation Group Iftar on 6 June 2018.
"I was impressed by his open approach to inter-religious interactions. He said that Muslims should live and thrive in a multireligious environment. He drew from experiences in Egypt and also lessons from history, that the interaction between Muslims and other communities could take place in a practical way," said DPM Teo.
Such practices included shaking hands and greeting members of other religions on religious holidays. "For example, he always made it a point to greet Christians on Christian festivals. I found his explanations most enlightening and beneficial for a multireligious society like Singapore, where all communities can have meals together, visit one another, and share our joys and sorrows together. We should reject views that limit our interactions and divide us as communities," he said.
He noted that non-Muslim youth ambassadors are involved in MUIS’s Touch of Ramadhan campaign. The campaign focuses on spreading messages of strengthening the family, caring for society and showing concern for the environment. "This shows that people of all faiths can work together to promote common, positive messages that benefit everyone," he said.
The threat of terrorism and radicalisation remains however, with radicalised individuals still present in Singapore. "Indeed, we must remain vigilant at all times, and enhance our community resilience," he said.
"Let us continue the important work that the Religious Rehabilitation Group and various community groups are doing to help save individuals from doing harm to their families and their loved ones," he said.