Photo by Harmony Circles
One of our country’s unique trademarks is having communities of different faiths and cultures living in harmony, with holidays such as the Lunar New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas celebrated by all! Distributing ang baos, hunting for the best epok-epok in town and having roti prata for breakfast are synonymous to the Singaporean lifestyle.
From the vibrant streets of Chinatown, the buzzing alleys of Little India to the hustle and bustle of Geylang Serai, each culture springs alive, and bring about the buzz of the local spirit.
To commemorate Racial Harmony Day on 21 July, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and community partners have launched the #SGinHarmony campaign to engage the public in strengthening our nation’s social compact and preserving our multiracial and multi-religious harmony. In its third year, this initiative serves as a reminder that the communal harmony we enjoy today is always a work-in-progress and that everyone has a part to play in binding the nation together, transcending boundaries. By showcasing the richness and beauty of Singapore's multicultural fabric, the campaign aims to deepen intercultural and interfaith understanding and strengthen social cohesion.
Racial Harmony Day was earmarked to remember the unfortunate racial riots that occurred in Singapore in 1964 and serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony. Since then, we have celebrated Racial Harmony Day for over five decades and we continue to take pride in what we have achieved as a nation. It is a special day in the year when students look forward to attending lessons in their traditional attire, while sharing delicacies from their family recipe books!
Recently, the month of July has been dedicated as the Racial and Religious Harmony Month in Singapore with the aim of multiplying active engagements and fostering genuine connections. Schools, community groups and religious organisations, and workplaces have encouragingly ramped up their efforts in cohesion building such as organising food exchanges, cultural showcases, and dialogues that harness cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
In addition, technology and social media have played a significant role in providing wider participation, accessibility and involvement. They enable individuals to share their stories and experiences that can nurture empathy, appreciation and respect for one another.
Let’s strive on in our efforts towards #SGinHarmony by inspiring one another and encouraging better understanding and appreciation of the Singapore’s tapestry. Join us at the Harmony Sports Fiesta 2023, happening at the Singapore Sports Hub, OCBC Square on 22 and 23 July. Interactive and fun activities start from 9am, and there will be plenty of cultural music and dance performances to keep you engaged until 7pm. Foodies will be thrilled as there will be local delights that will tantalise your taste buds! Through these activities, we look forward to celebrating our diversity, and grow to be stronger and more united as a nation. Admission is free!
