Singapore faces increasingly complex challenges in safeguarding social cohesion amid evolving threats of radicalisation, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated at a recent event marking the 20th anniversary of the Harmony Centre. Established in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to address misconceptions about Islam, the interfaith hub continues to play a crucial role in fostering understanding among the city-state’s diverse communities.
Speaking at a gala dinner held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, PM Wong underscored that the threat of Islamist terrorism remains, with groups like ISIS still active in recruitment and propaganda efforts that consider Singapore a potential target. However, he noted that the landscape of radicalisation has grown more complex, citing a rise in cases involving self-radicalised individuals, many of whom differ from traditional Islamist extremism profiles.
He highlighted examples including a Protestant Christian youth who planned attacks on mosques, two young men identifying as "East Asian supremacists," and another who embraced white supremacist views despite being ethnically Chinese. These instances demonstrate the broadening array of extremist influences capable of affecting individuals irrespective of age, race, or religion.
PM Wong stressed the importance of preventing social fragmentation, warning against individuals retreating into isolated groups and losing connection with the broader community. He also pointed to international developments, such as the conflict in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian situation, as potential sources of tension within Singapore’s multi-religious society. "We should not let conflicts elsewhere turn fellow Singaporeans against one another," he said, emphasizing the need to guard against all forms of racial and religious intolerance.
Addressing the issue of inflammatory online discourse, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing measures against irresponsible speech, noting the recent introduction of the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act. The legislation, effective from September, enhances legal safeguards to protect racial harmony and curb foreign interference in local affairs. Still, PM Wong pointed out that laws alone cannot build trust, which must be cultivated through individual and community efforts.
At the event, attended by approximately 450 religious and community leaders, PM Wong launched an interfaith engagement toolkit developed by Harmony Centre. Named JIRAN—Malay for "neighbour"—the resource provides a religious literacy guide covering 10 faiths practiced in Singapore. It offers practical advice on visiting places of worship, observing dietary customs, marking religious festivals, and engaging respectfully with religious leaders. The toolkit is accessible via the Ministry of Health’s website and aims to promote neighbourliness—a deeper form of communal bond involving friendship and mutual support.
Faith leaders present also endorsed a shared Charter on Neighbourliness, reaffirming their collective dedication to strengthening interreligious relationships. Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir described the pursuit of peace and harmony as ongoing work requiring continuous effort from religious communities for the benefit of future generations.
Hind Abdullah Boyar Sengkutivary, chairman of a community organisation, praised the toolkit’s potential to embody Singapore’s communal "kampung spirit" in practical terms. PM Wong concluded by urging Singaporeans not only to coexist peacefully but to build genuine respect and friendships across religious and cultural divides, fostering a society where diversity enriches shared life rather than dividing it.