Events

CHAIRPERSON

Dr Robin Bush, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.

SPEAKERS

Dr Mathew Mathews and Ms Danielle Hong
National University of Singapore

Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib
MUIS Academy

Mr Ajit Hazra
World Vision International

ABSTRACTS

Managing Risks Amidst Diversity : the Case of the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) in Singapore
by Dr Mathew Mathews and Ms Danielle Hong

Since the calculability of risks is increasingly problematic, the post-modern world of individualism and freedom inexplicably becomes constrained instead by the culture of scientism. This demands one’s adherence to social institutions and ideologies that frame the rational world of modern control. The multifaith or interfaith movement is an example of such a mechanism to contain the risks posed by religious diversity. While it started as a search among liberal religious leaders for a common ground and a mutual platform for discussions on global issues such as poverty and human rights abuses, it has since transited post 9/11 into a global imperative and necessity. These movements have become a key strategy in firstly, addressing terrorism and secondly, in maintaining and nurturing religious and cultural diversity in respective countries. Post 2005 London bombings, these movements became commonplace and wholly integrated into societal life. As a counter-terrorism strategy, it works to nurture social inclusion and countering radicalisation and is a mode of soft power on the security agenda.

The IRCCs in Singapore are likewise enmeshed into the global multifaith movement as a form of pre-emptive, positive soft power to maintain religious and racial harmony. Initiated in 2002, it was a movement sparked off after the arrest of the 15 Jemaah Islamiyah members in 2001. Under the purview of the Community Engagement Programme, it was aimed at bringing different communities together to develop mutual understanding, minimise racial or religious tensions in society and build up social resilience. The circles are constituency-level platforms that are meant to be intimate; grassroots-orientated that are able to deal with emergencies on the ground.

This qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with fifteen IRCC leaders highlights the intricate means used to mitigate the risk of religious tension in Singapore through the IRCC mechanism. IRCCs form a network of formal yet informal ties that provide the platform for trust building and mobilization of resources in times of crises. Consensus building was highly prized among respondents. Rather than confronting differences about religious dogma or practice, the emphasis of IRCC activities focus on public education and awareness building.

This study also discusses the usefulness of state-mediated action over genuine grassroots efforts in the promotion of religious harmony. While a formal religious network allows for a sense of assurance and confidence in mediating conflicts, it may also sometimes constrain the possibilities and opportunities of a ground-up initiative.

The Politics and Framing of Inter-Faith Relations in Singapore
by Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib

‘Inter-faith’ has become a buzzword in recent years. From the announcement of making Singapore an inter-faith hub in 2006, to the roll out of the Community Engagement Programme (CEP), the ‘inter-faith agenda’ has gained significant ground in the present phase of Singapore’s development. At the same time, there is a noticeable shift in the way religion is perceived in the public sphere, and how it ought to operate in society vis-à-vis its relationship to the state. Much of these are crafted within what is now popularly understood as a new post-9/11 world. Yet, while there is a certain celebratory mood in ushering the inter-faith agenda, this must be contended with a deeper examination of the nexus between state-society relations, global developments and subsequent assumptions on the role of religion in society. While Singapore society has always been pluralistic in nature, it took specific events to understand policy responses and its impact in shaping what is now known as a the ‘inter-faith agenda’. This presentation will argue that the turn towards greater inter-faith engagement in Singapore is a response to internal and external shift in the development of Singapore society, particularly in the climate of a liberalised economy and rising identity politics. It will also highlight some forms of inter-faith works being done within the framing of this agenda, particularly in three main areas: (1) humanitarian work; (2) terrorism discourse; and (3) emergence of new religious identities. The limitations of doing inter-faith, especially when it is framed within the ‘security lens’ and the problematic assumptions of ‘multiculturalism’ will also be discussed.

Enabling Development: Harmony Education in Poso, Indonesia
By Mr Ajit Hazra

From the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, the region of Poso in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, was home to sectarian conflict between Muslims and Christians in which 1,000 people were reportedly killed and more than 25,000 displaced. While the eventual signing of a peace accord marked the official end to the conflict, people were still split along religious lines and scarred by a history of fear, violence and suspicion.

This paper looks at an interfaith initiative by World Vision to work with the Central Sulawesi provincial government to strengthen the foundations for development through a value based approach to children’s education.

World Vision is a faith-based NGO enjoying relationships with the local church in Poso, GKST, a major Islamic NGO, Muhammadiya and the local government. In 2009, World Vision convened a working group with these entities towards developing a programme for children called, Harmony Education. Harmony Education promotes values such as co-existence, respect, trust and responsibility. Children are taught three key aspects: harmony with self (self respect); harmony with others (accepting others and differences); harmony with nature (caring for the environment). Through active participation the programme seeks to enhance peaceful coexistence and enable children to be agents of change in strengthening the bond amongst the people of Poso and working at lasting development in their community. Today, the project is implemented in various schools in Central Sulawesi and supported by legislation introduced by the government of Central Sulawesi concerning child protection and child well-being. Harmony Education was recently presented with the Indonesian MDG Awards for ‘Enabling Development’.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Mathew Mathews is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore. He leads the work in the Society and Identity Cluster. His current research broadly addresses issues related to societal cohesion from the dimensions of race, religion, immigration status and financial capability. He also regularly works on family related research. Mathew was formerly a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Sociology, NUS where he completed his PhD.

Danielle Hong completed her BA in Sociology (Honours) at the National University of Singapore and received the Chng Heng Lay Memorial Prize for Best Sociology Thesis of 2011. She has been involved in several projects examining issues related to race, religion and integration issues. She will read her MA in Law, Development and Globalisation at the School of Oriental and African Studies later this year.

Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib is a Senior Programme Consultant with the Muis Academy, the training and research arm of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). He is a postgraduate student at the Department of Malay Studies, NUS researching on Malay religious orientation in post-independent Singapore. He holds a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and active in interfaith networks in Singapore and the region. He speaks and writes regularly on issues of religion and society, and a social activist with The Reading Group, Leftwrite Center and a board member of the Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies (CCIS). Among his published works are Islam, Religion and Progress: Critical Perspectives (co-edited, 2006); and Moral Vision and Social Critique: Selected Essays of Syed Hussein Alatas (co-edited, 2007). He was also the chief editor of Malay socioreligious journal, Tafkir (2009).

Ajit Hazra is a director with World Vision who oversees issues related to Faith and Development in the Asia and Pacific regions. Key areas of his focus are on strengthening faith perspectives on development and enhancing partnerships and collaboration with religious communities and institutions towards the well being of disadvantaged children and their families.

REGISTRATION

Admission is Free. Do register early as seats are available on a first come, first served basis. We would gratefully request that you RSVP to Jonathan at jonathan.lee@nus.edu.sg