Our Say, Peace.

Monday, September 1, 2008 @ 9:24 AM♥

Our overall reflection!

HaoJie says:
Social Cohesion isn't too hard, it's just that people are unwilling to let go of their differences. Treat everyone as an equal, that way we can all work together like good friends, happily. :D

Alex says:
Together everyone work together as one
Everyone will live happily
Achieve more peace and harmony
More friendship will be cultivated

WeiChin says:
I can learn that streaming can have a great impact on fostering social cohesion with the other racial friends. The teachers should teach the students to make friend of the different race to prevent the occurring of "Divisiveness in Academic and Economic Determination. National education and racial harmony certainly is important to foster social cohesion student tend to make friends of their own race and make fun of the other race. Celebrating racial harmony is really a good way to foster social cohesion, it would be good if the students from the school could wear other race traditional costumes.
Social studies should focus more on social cohesion and not about Singapore's constraints and needs. It is difficult to breed social cohesion when the young are brought up in a school environment that unwittingly transmits values that conflict with social cohesion.
Community Involvement Programme is good thing because in the programme student can interact with the other race by doing CIP. Awarding CIP points to student is the fastest way to secure youth involvement in the community but it reinforces the motivation of self-reward and individualism in the young.

YingXi says:
I learn that there is a need to manage racial and religious sensitivities and promote tolerance and harmony. It is also the responsibilities of the people to prevent division among people in the society, staying active in identifying threats and strengthening social bonds. Irresponsible media reporting or newspapaer can be a trigger to issues of race which can cause distrust, suspicion and even hostility among the race groups. Difference in religious beliefs and practices are also issues that can be used to create tension.

Sherry says:
The mutli-ethnic compositioncan be a potential source of conflictif it is not managed effectively.If Singapore faces threatsthat can endanger the bond that we share,it could affect the economic,security and peace of Singapore.Therefore,there is a need to manage ethnic diversity."One for All, All for One that is! :D"

Jol says:
Singapore, not only made up of one person, one race but it is made up of many people, different races. To build a better nation, everyone's effort is important, everyone must be united.
SINGAPORE, THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG!

-----------------------------------------------END!--------------------------------------------

Sunday, August 31, 2008 @ 10:49 PM♥

Topic: Explore other ways to foster social cohesion in Singapore.

Done By: .HaoJie=P

For many years, Singapore has been researching for ways to create an identity for Singaporeans, example: National Anthem, National Pledge, National Flower, Merlion, Singlish and others, however most of this does not seem to be as effective in uniting Singaporeans as expected.What seems to be uniting Singaporeans, is the need to work together which then bonds them closer as friends, growing up to lead Singapore towards having racial harmony.

To foster social cohesion, first of all, aim for the people around you, your neighbours and friend of course! Social cohesion is almost like making friends with the people around.

Communication is important! Both in creating or preventing conflict, however in this case it's to prevent conflict while promoting harmony.Chat about almost anything under the skies, studies, current affairs, new girlfriend?!

Being generous is also important! Helping them when their in need, sharing our joys and difficulties, bonding faster than we would know, this way we would also understand more about each other.

Understanding each other, may be one of the most important, knowing each other's strength and weakness. Supporting each other using our strength to help their weakness, this way we can be united and strive as one.

HaoJie says:

Social Cohesion isn't too hard, it's just that people are unwilling to let go of their differences. Treat everyone as an equal, that way we can all work together like good friends, happily. :D

@ 10:47 PM♥

Question: what were the measures taken to foster social cohesion (unity among the people) in multi-ethnic Singapore?

Done by: Alex =]

Singapore has enjoyed racial and religious harmony among its people since independence.
To ensure that we live here, regardless of race or religion and enjoy a harmonious living environment, the government set up various policies and programmes.

-Building a national identity
A national identity is for us to know that although we are different racial or religious but we are all Singaporeans and we should live together in harmony.

-Multi-racialism
This policy of multi-racialism is to ensure that everyone is treated equality and everyone has the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background. Every Singaporean is seen as a valued member of the Singapore society and a sense of national identity.

-Common practices
Singaporean sings the national anthem, taking the pledge and attending the flag raising ceremony are the common practices in schools. These common practices help to foster our national identity.

-Bilingualism
This policy is to ensure that students were excepted to learn English as well as their own Mother Tongue. With this policy, English is the common language we use to commutate with each other. Mother Tongue is used to impart moral values and cultural traditions of each race.

-Minority Representation
This policy is to ensure that it give the minority group a say in the governance. The Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) and the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) are the examples of how representation of the minority groups is achieved. PCMR ensure that no racial or religious group is at disadvantage as a result of a law that is passed in Parliament. GRC ensures that one of its members is from different races so as to know about their culture better and the concerns and needs of the different races are made known to the government.

-Self-help groups
Self-help groups help those less fortunate to get aid in their studies and training for their jobs. Self-help groups also give moral support to members of their own community. This helps Singaporeans to cope and compete with one another on an equal footing.

-Events and programmes organized by grassroots organizations
Grassroots organizations such as People’s Association (PA) create common space for the interests of every Singaporean. Students are now having home visit or home stay opportunity with a host family from another ethnic group and know more about their culture. This allows different races have more mutual respect and strong friendship with each other which is built over time.

-Opportunities offered by educational institutions
Schools and tertiary institutions are open to every Singaporean, regardless of race, language or religion. Students from different races can study and work together as a team. This allows students friendships with each other to cultivate and strengthened. Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) in schools helps to promote closer bond among youths from all races.

-Common living space provided by public housing
There are times that many people from the same racial group living in the same housing estate and therefore the government put different races in the housing estates so as to ensure that there is an even distribution. Living together in the same neighborhood provides opportunities for people from different ethnic groups to interact.

-Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs)
The IRCCs provide common space to foster greater inter-racial understanding. The HCs also conduct inter-racial and inter-religious activities. All this activities help to build confidence and friendship among people.

-Shared experience through National Service
Another area of common space is through national service. National service can help bond different racial and make them work together as a team.

MY Reflection:

Together everyone work together as one
Everyone will live happily
Achieve more peace and harmony
More friendship will be cultivated

@ 10:16 PM♥

Posted by : Wei Chin

It is important to foster social cohesion because Singapore will be leaded by us the younger generation.
There are 4 board areas that have the most impact in transmitting societal and community values to the young which are Streaming, the Social Studies Syllabus, the National Education Programme, and the Community Involvement Programme.

STREAMING

The Acting Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, announced recently at the Committee of Supply Debate 2004 that the Ministry of Education has decided to remove the distinction between the EM1 and EM2 streams for next year. This move will give schools the autonomy to decide on how best to band their pupils to achieve the most educational value.

However the results of the year-end Primary 4 examinations will still be used as a benchmark to separate pupils. Those who are capable of studying Higher Mother Tongue (HMTL) will be put into one stream and the rest into another - as such EM3 will remain a distinct (inferior) course in essence regardless of whatever new name it may assume.

This still creates a "they" versus "us" situation and potentially streaming will erode cohesion among the different academic classes. Such distinct academic banding has two divisive effects:

a) Divisiveness in Perception:

Given different subject combinations and classes, there is an immediate distinction among these groups of students in their social circles in schools, hence limiting interaction between the different groups. This is further enchanced by the societal perceptions of these groups of students and the psychological barrier even among the students themselves. Many would remember this was portrayed in Jack Neo's movie 'I Not Stupid'. Students from better classes are likely to view their less academically-inclined peers as 2nd class. All these simply create cracks in our young student society from a tender age, which is eventually divisive rather than cohesive.

b) Divisiveness in Academic and Economic Determination:

Banding students into EM (1/2) and EM3 in Primary Schools, then the Normal and Express Streams in Secondary Schools, in reality means that the education system is laying an accelerated learning track for academically-inclined students and cutting off the EM3 students from certain avenues. It's quite likely that EM1 students will eventually move on to better secondary schools and then to JC and University while the EM3 students will almost certainly be trapped in the normal academic or normal technical stream, where few students make the grade.

Such an education system in turn leads to a larger socio-economic division upon graduation. In our society where generally, qualification is a major determinant of our earning power, students from the Normal streams are likely to graduate into a social class where they occupy the lower rungs of society. They are more likely to be beset with problems specific to this social class, thereby increasing the divide with the other classes.

In this sense, social cohesion amongst the different classes of the society appears to be compromised from an early age in terms of perception and socialization, and eventually the economic opportunities provided for our young.

From this information, i can learn that streaming can have a great impact on fostering social cohesion with the other racial friends.If the students are not properly streamed it may affect their learning as their learning are at the different pace thus affecting the whole class in the end.The teachers should teach the students to make friend of the different race to prevent the occurring of "Divisiveness in Academic and Economic Determination"

NATIONAL EDUCATION (NE) PROGRAMME AND RACIAL HARMONY DAY

Under a National Education Programme (NE), the government has introduced a number of initiatives into schools in a bid to foster stronger inter-racial bonds. In particular, the introduction of a Racial Harmony Day is a plausible idea to get our youths acquainted with national history as well as to understand and appreciate differences
between the races.

On this day, a typical school celebration takes the form of a concert whereby different ethnic costumes are paraded by the students and the performance is interspersed with quizzes on Singapore's history and the 1964 riots. At this point I would like to introduce my perception of social cohesion:

Social cohesion is a complex process that if broken down can be seen on two levels:

1. Awareness and understanding of differences for the inculcation of the values of tolerance and respect

2. Sustained genuine interaction that deepens this understanding and bonding. This level actually puts the awareness and understanding to practice.

Such celebrations occur at the first level. Though commendable, it will not lead to a more cohesive society directly. Our Secondary students certainly know of the different ethnic practices and costumes but until there is sustained interaction between our races, social cohesion is elusive. Awareness is a prerequisite but not a guarantee towards it.

Perhaps instead of industrial attachments, schools should include inter-racial home stay attachments permanently into their NE programme. In fact, some schools have already initiated sporadic home stay programmes. Here, students are attached to a family of another racial community for a couple of weeks during their holidays. This way, they build genuine bonds through constant interaction which they might hopefully sustain after the attachment period is over.

From the information, i can conclude that national education and racial harmony certainly is important to foster social cohesion because in primary schools student tend to make friends of their own race and make fun of the other race.(skin colour, language, etc)Celebrating racial harmony is really a good way to foster social cohesion, it would be good if the students from the school could wear other race traditional costumes.

SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS

The Social Studies syllabus was also initiated to familiarise students to Singapore's constraints and needs. It is compulsory for secondary school students at the various levels (with different provisions for Normal and Express students). One of the messages in the syllabus is the importance of racial harmony by using Switzerland as the model, and Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland as anti-examples.

However, to inculcate such values, they must be internalised and this can only be done through sustained interaction when students are actually exposed to differences and even culture shocks and have their values modified or moulded. It is certainly ironical that these values have become formalised compulsory material for exams. It's little wonder that students, teachers and parents view the syllabus with cynicism!

Students are reduced to regurgitating the points as to why racial harmony is important: creating prosperity, helping tourists and banking industries to thrive, and achieving high incomes and international respect.

It certainly makes one sit up when you realise that the lessons behind racial harmony are mostly economic! Here social cohesion is emphasised not so much because we want to inculcate citizenship values by building a more gracious and sensitive population which feels for the community, but rather, because it's necessary for our economic existence!

Perhaps economic functionality is one way of rationalizing the need for racial harmony. But the deeper repercussion is that it handicaps the way our young think and feel for the community and hence the country. Surely it has a bearing on the way our young 'quitters' view citizenship.

I think that social studies should focus more on social cohesion and not about Singapore's constraints and needs.It is difficult to breed social cohesion when the young are brought up in a school environment that unwittingly transmits values that conflict with social cohesion.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMME

The aim of this programme was to heighten students' involvement and empathy with other classes in society, such as the less advantaged low-income families through tuition programmes and student mentorships. While the intention is good, the implementation carries with it a body of values that run contrary to inculcating social bonding and cohesion.

At the school level, students are awarded CIP points for the hours of service they put in. There is also a minimum number of points they have to achieve. Such individualism ultimately causes our young generation to devote themselves to the pursuit of inflated expectations and to be disengaged from the community at large.

More significantly, the initial aim of establishing bonds across the various social groups could potentially be lost in the process.

I think Community Involvement Programme is good thing because in the programme student can interact with the other race by doing CIP. Awarding CIP points to student can be a good thing as it is the fastest way to secure youth involvement in the community but it reinforces the motivation of self-reward and individualism in the young.

@ 9:25 PM♥

What are the challenges of multi-ethnicity in singapore?
-Issues such as race and religion can be used to cause conflict among the differrent groups in singapore. The lack of understanding among the racial groups can create suspicion and unhappiness among the people. This may lead tooutbreaks of violence among racial groups.

- How religious issues could divide people.
1) What were the events that led to the Maria Hertogh riots of 1950s ?
1940s, a dutch couple was imprisoned by the japaneses. They placed their daughter, Maria Hertogh, under the care of a malay lady, Aminah. Maria was raised as a muslim and at the age of 13, she married a malay teacher. When Maria parents demanded that Maria be returned to them, a court trial followed. This court trial had wide media coverage and caused unhappiness among the Muslim community.
Maria made it clear that she wanted to stay with Aminah and do not want to be returned to her real parents. However, the High Court ruled on the 17 of May after a short hearing of about 15 minutes that the custody of Maria be entitled to the Hertoghs. Aminah and Maria exited the court through the backdoor, a car from the Consulate was waiting to take Maria away.
At first, Maria refused to enter the car and clung on to Aminah, both shouting in Malay that they would kill themselves than be separated . Large crowd quickly formed around the commotion. It was only after much persuasion that Aminah agreed to enter the car together with Maria and pay a visit to her lawyer, who explained that Maria had to be given up until an appeal was made. Maria and Aminah parted in tears.

2) What were the causes of the Maria Hertogh riots ?
The appeal hearing opened on 11 December. Maria stayed at the convent and did not attend. Since early morning, crowds were carrying banners and flags with star and crescent symbols began to gather around the Court. Around noon, when the hearing eventually began, the restive crowd had grown to about 2,000-3,000 in number. Unbelievably, the court threw out the appeal within five minutes. The brevity of the hearing convinced the gathering that the system was biased against Muslims and the riots erupted.

3) What happened during the riots?
The mob which largely consisted of Malay or Indonesian Muslims, local Chinese gangs moved out to attack any Europeans and even Eurasians in sight. They overturned cars and burnt them. The police force, its lower ranks largely consisted of Malays who sympathized with the rioter's cause, were ineffective in stopping the riots. By nightfall the riots had spread to even the more remote parts of the island. Help from the British military was enlisted. Meanwhile, various Muslim leaders appealed over the radio for the riots to cease.
Reinforcements arrived early on 12 December, but the riots continued on that day. The troops and police only managed to regain control of the situation around noon on 13 December.

4) What were the consequences of the riots?
In total, 18 people were killed, among whom were seven Europeans or Eurasians, two police officers, and nine rioters shot by the police or military, 173 were injured, many of them were seriously injured, 119 vehicles were damaged, and at least two buildings were set on fire. Two weeks of 24-hour curfew were imposed, and it was a long time before complete law and order was re-established. Both the british and malayan troops as well as the singapore police were called in to maintain peace.

5)What were the lessons learnt from the riots?
The importances of social cohesion in the community

I learn that there is a need to manage racial and religious sensitivities and promote tolerance and harmony. It is also the responsibilities of the people to prevent division among people in the society, staying active in identifying threats and strengthening social bonds. Irresponsible media reporting or newspapaer can be a trigger to issues of race which can cause distrust, suspicion and even hostility among the race groups. Difference in religious beliefs and practices are also issues that can be used to create tension.

Done by : Ying Xi (:

@ 12:12 PM♥

By: Jolinda =D

In 1964, Singapore experienced racial riots which resulted in 36 people dead and 560 others injured. Outbreaks of violence among racial groups are often causes by lack of understanding among each other, creating suspicion and unhappiness among the people.

A series of riots took place in Singapore during two seperate periods in July and September between two races, Chinese and Malay in 1964. Different political approaches of the State of government in Singapore and the Federal government in Kuala Lumpur caused a strain in their relationship. The two governments disagreed on the approach to govern their people, the Federal government believed in communal politics where special rights were given to the majority race. They approach to win the majority race in Malaysia, the malays. On the other hand, the Singapore government believedin non-communal politics in which all races should be equally represented and given equal opportunities. Due to this difference, some extreme members of the Federal government carried out activities to encourage negative feelings towards Singapore government.

A fight broke out due to the distrust among people between the Malays and Chinese in Singapore. The fight erupted into a series of island-wide race riots. To restore peace, Federation called in troops to maintain law and order. Other than the conflicts between the Indonesian Confrontation and race riots, the Federal government of Malaysia and the State government of Singapore also disagreed over economic matters.

The conflict worsen in 1964 when the People's Action Party (PAP) participated in the Federal Election in Malaysia. The PAP approach to Malaysian politics and everyone would be given equal rights and privileges. The malays in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) felt threatened. Leading to an anti-PAP campaign organised by some UMNO leaders. The UMNO leaders emphasize proverty of the Malays who lived in Singapore. The UMNO arouse feelings of dissatisfaction among Singapore malays towards the PAP by claiming that the resettlements project were to uproot the Malays from their traditional homes such as Kallang River and West Coast although some Chinese resident will be affected, when the resettlement and redevelopment programme was portrayed.

The UMNO spread the an anti-PAP campaign by using the Malay newspaper, Utusan Melayu, claiming that 3,000 Malay families were affected by the resettlement and the PAP government did not bother the Malays in Singapore. In fact, out of the 2,500 resettled families only 200 were Malays. An earlier meeting was held by the UMNO and the Malays before the meeting of the government and the Malay organisations to explain its politics, addressing any unhappiness the Malays have. The tension between the organisation rose, stirring anger in the Malays. Race riots continued even though the government promised the Malays that theris economic and social positions will be improve through education and training. In addition, the involvement of Chinese secret societies in the riots also increased the level of violence.

The first race riot occurred on 21 july during a Malay procession that marked Muhammad's birthday, causing death and injuries. About 25,000 Malays gathered at Padang, Singapore to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. After the speeches, the procession went on to Geylang. A group of dispersed was asked to rejoin the procession by a policeman but instead the group attacked the policeman. This incident led to a race riot after the group of Malays attacked Chinese passers-by and spectators. At about 5:00pm, reports of this riots issue begans between Kallang and Geylang Serai. 4 people were killed, 178 were injured and damages of property. on the first day of riot. A curfew was declared at 9.30 p.m. to restore order.

After the curfew was lifted at 6 a.m. the next morning, the conflict grew even more tense, and another curfew was imposed - only lifted for short periods for people to buy food. On 2 August, 11 days after the first day of riot, the curfew was completely lifted. Effort were made to call for calm. After the riots, community leaders from the various racial groups set up a community called "goodwill". The main job of these leaders was to help restore peace and harmony between the Malays and the Chinese by addressing the concerns of the residents. About 3,000 were arrested, 256 people for possesion of dangerous weapons, including 600 secret society members and the rest were arrested for violating the curfew. 23 people lost their lives and 450 people were injured during the July riots. There was significant damage to property and vehicles.

On 3 September, a second race riot occurred just a month after the first riot. This time, a Malay trishaw-rider was found murdered at Geylang Serai and his attackers were believed to be a group of Chinese. Another curfew was imposed in the neighbourhoods of Geylang, Joo Chiat and Siglap to follow order. Under the presence of troops and the imposing of curfews, these tensions eventually eased after a few days. In this incident 13 people lost their lives, 106 people were injure and 480 people were arrested.
Both Malaysia and Singapore have attributed the September riots to Indonesian provocateurs. It was the Konfrontasi period and 30 Indonesian paratroopers had landed in Labis, Johor on 2 September.

Leaders in Malaysia and Singapore were surprised by the rapid increasing of racial violence and both sides made frequent appeals for calm. During the riots, large number of arrests was made under the Internal Security Act (ISA), for those involved in subversion and rioters who were members of secret societies. This helped to contain the violence, especially during the September riots. ISA remains in force in Malaysia and Singapore is used to counter potential threats of communism or racial and religious violence.The riots exposed serious racial tension and the fear of further violence contributed to Singapore's secession from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965, when both sides were unable to resolve their disputes.

Jol's reflection:
Singapore, not only made up of one person, one race but it is made up of many people, different races. To build a better nation, everyone's effort is important, everyone must be united.

The pledge

(English translation)

We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

(Malay version - original)

Kami, warganegara Singapura,
sebagai rakyat yang bersatu padu,
tidak kira apa bangsa, bahasa, atau agama,
berikrar untuk membina suatu masyarakat yang demokratik,
berdasarkan kepada keadilan dan persamaan
untuk mencapai kebahagiaan,
kemakmuran dan kemajuan bagi negara kami.

(Chinese translation)

我们是新加坡公民，
誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教，
团结一致，
建设公正平等
的民主社会，
并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，
共同努力。

(Tamil translation)

சிங்கப்பூர் குடிமக்களாகிய நாம் இனம்,மொழி,மதம்
ஆகிய வேற்றுமைகளை மறந்து ஒன்றுபட்டு,நம் நாடு
மகிழ்ச்சி,வளம்,முன்னேற்றம் ஆகியவற்றை அடையும்
வண்ணம் சமத்துவத்தையும்,நீதியையும்
அடிப்படையாக கொண்ட ஜனாயக
சமுதாயத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்கு
உறுதி மேற்கொள்வோமாக

SINGAPORE, THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG!

Saturday, August 30, 2008 @ 9:56 PM♥

Question: How Different Are We?

Posted By: Sherry.

Singapore is a multi ethnic country.
Made up of many different racial,
cultural and religious background.
The Chinese, Malays, Indians
and Eurasians are all living in peace and harmony in Singapore.
Despite of their differences.
It is still possible for us to live in harmony together.

English is the language that is widely spoken and understood.
And is often used as a language to communicate
between different races.
However nowadays, different races are trying to learn
the other languages spoken by the many different races
so as to communicate better.
Therefore, three other languages are also used in Singapore.

Each different races celebrates their special festivals, on different dates and days.
Lantern Festival, Hungry Ghost Festival
and Chinese New Year are the most popular festivals of the Chinese people.

-Chinese New Year:
Chinese New Year festivities centre around the family. First, it is an occasion to give thanks for the family's successes during the past year and to prepare the way for prosperity in the new year. Second, it is a time for family members far and near to come together - to re-connect, to see themselves as part of a larger family so as to re-establish
and maintain the order of the family.
Elders are venerated for their wisdom,
kindness and dedication to the family.
And children have many opportunities to express
the respect and gratitude
they feel towards those who have nurtured them.
It is this form of family affection,
which connects the generations over time that is
called xiao or filial piety and is the basis of family harmony.

-Qing Ming Jie:
The Qing Ming festival is primarily an occasion
for remembering and honouring those members of one's family
who have departed from this world.
These departed family members or ancestors
are remembered with gratitude for the life
which the present generation has received from them.
Families visit the places where their ancestors' graves are,
or where the ashes or ancestral tablets are kept, to express gratitude and respect.
This xiao or filial piety is important,
for it holds the family together over time.
The great sage, Confucius,
said that this filial piety is the root of all care and concern for others in society.
It is the basis of the community spirit of persons coming together in one great family (da jia).

-Dragon Boat Festival:
People come together to eat rice dumplings
and participate in dragon boat races.
National patriots are commemorated.
The importance of loyalty and commitment
to the community is emphasised.

-Hungry Ghost Festival:
Zhong Yuan Jie is a time to remember the dead.
It emphasises filial piety and magnanimity.
The Taoists believe that this festival also marks the birthday
of the Earth God and it is an occasion for them
to ask for forgiveness from the Earth God.

The Malays celebrates Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji.

-Hari Raya Puasa:
Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated to mark the end of the fast in Ramadan
which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Hence it is known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast.
During the month of Ramadan all adult Muslims must fast from dawn to sunset.
This means abstaining from eating and drinking.
During the hours of fasting, Muslims must not smoke nor have sexual relations.
Travellers and the sick can defer fasting during
Ramadan and make up for it later.
A Muslim is expected to make a greater effort
to refrain from all bad acts during the fast.
He should not tell a lie, break a promise or do any deceitful act.
The purpose of fasting is to remind a Muslim of
the importance of self-control and submitting to the will of God.
Hari Raya Puasa is the most important festival for Muslims in Singapore.
It is celebrated on the completion of the ritual of fasting.
Besides the fast,
Muslims also fulfil the following observances:
tarawih prayer (night prayers) and the giving of
zakat fitrah (religious obligatory dues for charity).
Hence, it touches on the individual and his relationship to God,
the individual and other Muslims,
and the individual and society in general.
Hari Raya Puasa is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Muslims rejoice because they have fulfilled God's command of discipline,
piety (devotion to religion) and collective worship.

-Hari Raya Haji:
This is the Festival of Sacrifice.
Muslims observe the sacrifice to commemorate
the readiness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his beloved son,
Isma'ail, in order to obey God.
The story of Ibrahim and Isma'ail is a powerful reminder of
how God provides and cares for those who do His will.
It also reminds Muslims all over the world that
they must be ready to give up everything for God.
This festival coincides with the haj pilgrimage in Makkah.
It is celebrated on the tenth day of Zulhijjah
and it continues for the next three days.

And the Indians celebrates Thaipusam and Deepavali.

-Thaipusam:
A religious festival such as Thaipusam
stirs up the desire for enlightenment in the devotees.
The journey Hidumba undertook in search of the mountain peaks
symbolises the search for spiritual knowledge.
However, one cannot attain this knowledge without
the help of a Guru such as Sage Agastya.
On this day, devotees carry kavadis,
fast and pray in honour of Lord Murugan.
This could be to fulfil a vow they had made or to express
thanksgiving for some wish or desire fulfilled or for general blessings.
Devotees are encouraged to surrender themselves
to the Lord and to have faith and devotion.

In this celebration one gains victory over weaknesses and imperfections.
The devotees are encouraged and strengthened to face difficulties and problems in life.

-Deepavali:
The festival, on the whole, symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
Known as the Festival of Lights,
it occurs on the new moon day in the month
between mid-October and mid-November.
For some Hindus it is a three-day festival.
The nature and duration of the festival vary from place to place.
Devotion to God and a spirit of love and friendship are its characteristics.
The festival is an occasion for gaining more spiritual knowledge
and developing religious habits.
The lighting of the lamps symbolises the overcoming of darkness (evil)
by light and the removal of ignorance through knowledge.
It shows that the evil tendencies in human nature
should be overcome and replaced by kind thoughts
and goodwill towards all.

In many ways,
we are together regardless of race, language and religion.
But can multi-ethnic composition be a source of conflict too?

-Sherry's reflection:

The mutli-ethnic composition
can be a potential source of conflict
if it is not managed effectively.
If Singapore faces threats
that can endanger the bond that we share,
it could affect the economic,
security and peace of Singapore.
Therefore,
there is a need to manage ethnic diversity.

"One for All, All for One that is! :D"