ID :
75642
Mon, 08/17/2009 - 10:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/75642
The shortlink copeid
SINGAPORE MALAYS HAVE OWN IDENTITY
SINGAPORE, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The Malays in Singapore have developed their
own distinct identity and are different from the Malays in Malaysia, Indonesia
and Brunei, according to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Speaking at his annual National Day rally Sunday night, in Malay, Mandarin
and English, at the University Cultural Centre here, Lee said when they were
abroad they wanted to be identified as Singaporeans first.
He said Singapore Malays were able to retain their roots, culture and
religion although they had to adapt their lifestyle to changes in the
socio-economic and political spheres and had to face many challenges in the
ever-changing city-state.
He said the community resolved to become stronger instead of feeling
dispirited and psychologically "under siege", it reached out to engage other
communities instead of withdrawing, and adopted an open and adaptive approach
instead of becoming confrontational.
The prime minister noted how the Malay Muslim community here reacted
differently compared with other Muslim communities elsewhere to the Sept 11
terror attacks in New York by immediately condemning the act of terror.
Lee also said Singaporeans should not take religious and racial harmony for
granted as it would continue to play an important role in Singapore's society.
He said Singaporeans who came from different racial and religious
backgrounds had enjoyed peace and harmony over the past 40 years.
"I understand other religions have different doctrines and may not all
interact in the same way. But more important is the spirit and sincerity
of interaction among the religions."
The prime minister said to keep Singapore peaceful, all groups must be
tolerant, religion and politics must stay separate, government must stay
secular and common space for all the people must be preserved.
Lee said there was now increasing religious fervour in many countries such
as the United States, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia, but in Singapore it should
be managed so as not to allow it to come in the way of peace.
He said Singaporeans should avoid three factors that could tear the fabric
of the population, which were aggressive preaching, intolerance and
exclusiveness.
-- BERNAMA
own distinct identity and are different from the Malays in Malaysia, Indonesia
and Brunei, according to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Speaking at his annual National Day rally Sunday night, in Malay, Mandarin
and English, at the University Cultural Centre here, Lee said when they were
abroad they wanted to be identified as Singaporeans first.
He said Singapore Malays were able to retain their roots, culture and
religion although they had to adapt their lifestyle to changes in the
socio-economic and political spheres and had to face many challenges in the
ever-changing city-state.
He said the community resolved to become stronger instead of feeling
dispirited and psychologically "under siege", it reached out to engage other
communities instead of withdrawing, and adopted an open and adaptive approach
instead of becoming confrontational.
The prime minister noted how the Malay Muslim community here reacted
differently compared with other Muslim communities elsewhere to the Sept 11
terror attacks in New York by immediately condemning the act of terror.
Lee also said Singaporeans should not take religious and racial harmony for
granted as it would continue to play an important role in Singapore's society.
He said Singaporeans who came from different racial and religious
backgrounds had enjoyed peace and harmony over the past 40 years.
"I understand other religions have different doctrines and may not all
interact in the same way. But more important is the spirit and sincerity
of interaction among the religions."
The prime minister said to keep Singapore peaceful, all groups must be
tolerant, religion and politics must stay separate, government must stay
secular and common space for all the people must be preserved.
Lee said there was now increasing religious fervour in many countries such
as the United States, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia, but in Singapore it should
be managed so as not to allow it to come in the way of peace.
He said Singaporeans should avoid three factors that could tear the fabric
of the population, which were aggressive preaching, intolerance and
exclusiveness.
-- BERNAMA
