17 January 2009: Talk On Inter-Racial And Inter-Religious Relations In Singapore & Dialogue With Adviser @ Masjid Sultan.

Kampong Glam's Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) team took another step in promoting racial and religious harmony. It invited Dr Norman Vasu to speak on his national survey on the effect of race and religion on nation bonding. Dr Norman Vasu is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Social Resilience Programme at the Centre of Excellence for National Security in the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Big Thanks to Chegu Ismail, the chairman of Sultan Mosque which hosted the lunch talk and lively Question and Answer session thereafter.

The turnout was encouraging with 50 Kampong Glam and Kreta-Ayer-Kim Seng IRCC leaders and key grassroots leaders from 9 RCs, 2 CCMCs, and CDEC. Many key religious leaders from Kampong Glam were present.

Guest of Honour, MP Ms Denise Phua urged leaders to never take Singapore's peace and racial and religious harmony for granted. She said we must work now so that we can be strong and resilient when trials come and our convictions are tested. She urged that we must be co-operative not only in words but also in action. All of us have a strong part to play in building a country that is truly a home for every one of us, regardless of race, language or religion, regardless of even education or abilities.

Before the session came to end, the Kampong Glam leaders stayed on for another 45 minutes to actively brainstorm on at least one collaborative project that the different religious groups can implement for the less advantaged in our community. A perfect way to ensure that we co-operate not only in words but in action!