FOUNDATION OF FAITHS
The Foundation of Faiths programme was conceived as an elementary level of interfaith exchange which focuses on developing foundational understanding of faiths. These dialogues seek to acquaint participants to the basic tenets of different faiths, in a simpler approach.
Foundation of faiths
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"When we live, work and play in tight spaces, we need to be mindful on how we navigate through tight spaces. What we do affect our neighbours and those around us. How we live our lives and how we lead our congregations or communities, will have impact on our next generations. Whether our next generation enjoy the benefits or have to carry the burden depends on how we weave or stitch our social fabric today. We all have this shared responsibility."
Ms Cheryl Chan
Adviser to Fengshan GRC GROs
11 December 2019
Foundation of faiths
"We are aware that matters of religion have always been dicey and have had deep fault lines, and they have become more complex. With the ever-growing reach of, and penetration by the social media, communities, families, and youths are more exposed, hence more vulnerable to inaccurate or extreme doctrinal interpretations, where the sources stemmed from differing landscapes, histories, cultures, and challenges."
Assoc Prof Mohammed Faishal Ibrahim
Senior Parliamentary Secretary
Ministry of Social and Family Development
& Ministry of Education
Adviser to Neesoon GRC GROs
11 December 2019
Foundation of faiths
"It is critical that we constantly make consistent and constructive engagements to assemble our people, to better understand one another clearer, bond ourselves closer, and remove any divisive elements or obstacles. Only then can we Singaporeans enhance our level of mutual confidence, comfort and camaraderie; holding close and compact together, through thick and thin."
Mr Vikram Nair
Adviser to Admiralty GROs
11 December 2019
Foundation of faiths
Social cohesion requires civic engineering. There needs to be platforms for Singaporeans – native, new or naturalised – to have real and candid exchanges. The CSCS is one ground up initiative that seeks to intensify candid exchanges on common and safe grounds; identify commonalities and amplify common understanding, to deepen acquaintance and appreciation, hence acceptance beyond mere tolerance.
Mr Desmond Choo
Mayor for North East District
8 November 2019
Foundation of faiths
“The Foundation of Faiths series of the CSCS interfaith dialogue programme seeks to provide the platform for better understanding on common curiosities and misconceptions. We must constantly remain conscious that we are the most religiously diverse nation in the world. And Singapore is very small. When we live, work and play in very limited land size, we need to be mindful on how we navigate through tight spaces. What we do affect our neighbours and those around us. How we live our lives and how we lead our congregations or communities, will have impact on our next generations. Whether they enjoy the benefits or carry the burden depends on how we weave or stitch our social fabric today. There is no room for extremism or exclusivism. Every religion propagates the common values of respect, love, compassion and graciousness. We all need to be assured of our own subscriptions or faiths. Mixing and mingling closely with our friends or other people of different backgrounds will not compromise our beliefs. There must be give and take. There must be a common spirit and shared common goal for common goodness.”
Dr Maliki Bin Osman
Mayor for South East District
Senior Minister of State for Defence and
Foreign Affairs
24 July 2019
Foundation of faiths
" As we become increasingly reliant on social media as the main source of information, we are also more vulnerable to inaccurate news or extreme religious beliefs. Even though our social fabric has been fundamentally strong as Singapore is a country built on multi-racial and multi-religious harmony, however this should not be taken for granted. "
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah
Adviser to Nee Soon South GROs
18 January 2019
IN THE NEWS
Foundation of faiths
Enlivening the true spirit of humanity, the CSCS gathering held a one-minute interfaith silent observance, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in heartfelt prayer for the affected families of the Christchurch massacre where children became orphans, wives turned widows, parents losing offspring.
15 March 2019
Foundation of faiths
" Dialogues can help bridge and keep people connected, and have misconceptions corrected. Additionally, cooperation and collaborations can help make communities more collective and collected. We need to focus on the most fundamental of similarities, based on common good morals including respect, graciousness, gratitude and goodwill. "
Dr Maliki Osman
Senior Minister of State,
Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
& Mayor of South East District
1 March 2019
IN THE NEWS
锡克教徒为何不剪头发？宗教知识对话会解惑 (Lianhe Zaobao, 2019)
Maliki: Cari, kenal pasti kesamaan bagi tingkat keyakinan antara kaum
Foundation of faiths
" People have been exposed to inaccurate information, extremist and radical beliefs. Misunderstandings and misconceptions could easily arise, resulting in unintended tensions and disputes. Amidst the presence of external influence, we should work collectively to foster good interfaith relations in Singapore. "
Dr Teo Ho Pin
Mayor of North West District
18 January 2019
Foundation of faiths
" By learning about different faiths and religions, we can safeguard ourselves from the threat of misrepresentation. Your presence here not only strengthens community ties, it also deepens our social resilience. As we establish common spaces of mutual understanding, hope and peace, we are fortifying our future for tomorrow. "
Ms Low Yen Ling
Senior Parliamentary Secretary,
Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower
Mayor of South West District
3 October 2018
Foundation of faiths
" Many efforts have been done by the government to beef up security measures in terms of structures and systems. Religious leaders have come together and collectively stepped forward to condemn acts of terrorism, radicalism or extremism. But how can we, as ordinary citizens – whether as a parent, sibling, relative, colleague, neighbour, employer, play our role in contributing towards a cohesive society? One such way is to make an effort to keep ourselves educated and informed through learning about the different faiths and religions. "
Dr Teo Ho Pin
Mayor of North West District
18 September 2018
Foundation of faiths
" The Common Senses for Common Spaces (or CSCS) nationwide interfaith programme is one such collective ground-up initiative – it is a friendly and safe platform to promote better acquaintance to, and appreciation of, religious rituals and spiritual motivations which can be key to enhancing our resilient quotient. "
Dr Maliki Osman
Senior Minister of State,
Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
& Mayor of South East District
3 February 2018
IN THE NEWS
Launch of CSCS Nationwide & Foundation of Faiths (Suria DETIK, 2018)
Program nasional bagi perkukuh perpaduan agama dilancar (Berita Harian, 2018)
5 Datuk Bandar CDC gabung lancarkan inisiatif perkukuh daya bingkas perpaduan sosial (Suria Berita, 2018)
Nationwide interfaith programme launched to boost Singapore's resilience and social cohesion (Channel NewsAsia, 2018)
和尚为何剃光头？回教徒为何不能吃猪肉? 五社理会将举办对话解答公众宗教疑惑 (联合早报 , 2018)
IN THE NEWS
Peserta dialog silang agama bertafakur peringati mangsa (Berita Harian, 2019)
Maliki: Cari, kenal pasti kesamaan bagi tingkat keyakinan antara kaum (Berita Harian, 2019)
锡克教徒为何不剪头发？宗教知识对话会解惑 (联合早报, 2019)
CDC North West lancar siri dialog silang agama (Berita Harian, 2018)
Launch of CSCS Nationwide & Foundation of Faiths (Suria DETIK, 2018)
Program nasional bagi perkukuh perpaduan agama dilancar (Berita Harian, 2018)
5 Datuk Bandar CDC gabung lancarkan inisiatif perkukuh daya bingkas perpaduan sosial (Suria Berita, 2018)
Nationwide interfaith programme launched to boost Singapore's resilience and social cohesion (Channel NewsAsia, 2018)