The book that sparked all the controversy,"Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going"published by Singapore Press Holdings(SPH) from Lee Kuan Yew has been flying off the shelves and had became a much talked about topic in Singapore,even across the border in neighboring Malaysia.Apparently,he said when asked about Singapore's progress in racial harmony:
"I have to speak candidly to be of value, but I do not want to offend the Muslim community. I think we were progressing very nicely until the surge of Islam came, and if you asked me for my observations, the other communities have easier integration - friends, intermarriages and so on, Indians with Chinese, Chinese with Indians - than Muslims. That's the result of the surge from the Arab states."
"I would say, today, we can integrate all religions and races except Islam." He added: "I think the Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate."
More than 70% of Singaporeans are Chinese.So does that make us a society that is Chinese orientated?That's what some people feel about Lee Kuan Yew sometimes.His comments recently had sparked the anger and unhappiness of the Muslims in Singapore.So much that Minister of Muslim Affairs Dr.Yaacob Ibrahim and PM Lee had to step out and give them an explanation.So the main question is,is what he said true or is Lee Kuan Yew really past his prime?
Singapore is a multi-racial country.We need to integrate into the blend in community.This is especially so for new immigrants.They do a lot to integrate.I have adult friends from China who send their children to local Primary Schools instead of international schools,some even when they are not PRs(Permanent Residents).So too do muslims.But perhaps most people do not feel comfortable with Muslims because of the "terrorist" stereotype of them and their perplexity of religion.They have to do more than usual to integrate.That's the catch.I believe that was what MM Lee was trying to imply.The problem lies with how society views muslims.They have to clear this cloud of fog surrounding them that they are dangerous,people who are deeply obsessed with religion like the "foot-washers" in To Kill a Mockingbird who believe that simple indulgence like enjoying nature is a Sin.
That's the challenge for Muslims.Clear the stereotypical view.Other religions are not as much as shrouded by this kind of misunderstanding as them.People wonder why they have to go to Madrasahs(Islamic Schools) instead of a Primary School.It may sound unfair,but its the way of life and so I have to say that they need to put in more effort than the rest to integrate.To clear this misconception and educate others about their religion.And that as Lee Kuan Yew had mentioned is the "hard truth".
Singapore is still a racially-harmonious country,but integration had became important with the large influx of immigrants.As Lee Kuan Yew says,'Attend local schools to integrate better'.I have to agree with him on that point.In local schools,especially Primary school,we are exposed to other children of other races and become sort of equal,it is where most of us make friends of other races.When we have friends of other races,we both build a bridge,to bridge the gap of misunderstanding about our culture,life,religion and more.We can finally appreciate each other's race.Just with a friend like that,our mindset had been etched freshly into our young minds.
Friends are important,but so much more in this Little Red Dot of ours.
Singapore is a multi-racial country.We need to integrate into the blend in community.This is especially so for new immigrants.They do a lot to integrate.I have adult friends from China who send their children to local Primary Schools instead of international schools,some even when they are not PRs(Permanent Residents).So too do muslims.But perhaps most people do not feel comfortable with Muslims because of the "terrorist" stereotype of them and their perplexity of religion.They have to do more than usual to integrate.That's the catch.I believe that was what MM Lee was trying to imply.The problem lies with how society views muslims.They have to clear this cloud of fog surrounding them that they are dangerous,people who are deeply obsessed with religion like the "foot-washers" in To Kill a Mockingbird who believe that simple indulgence like enjoying nature is a Sin.
That's the challenge for Muslims.Clear the stereotypical view.Other religions are not as much as shrouded by this kind of misunderstanding as them.People wonder why they have to go to Madrasahs(Islamic Schools) instead of a Primary School.It may sound unfair,but its the way of life and so I have to say that they need to put in more effort than the rest to integrate.To clear this misconception and educate others about their religion.And that as Lee Kuan Yew had mentioned is the "hard truth".
Singapore is still a racially-harmonious country,but integration had became important with the large influx of immigrants.As Lee Kuan Yew says,'Attend local schools to integrate better'.I have to agree with him on that point.In local schools,especially Primary school,we are exposed to other children of other races and become sort of equal,it is where most of us make friends of other races.When we have friends of other races,we both build a bridge,to bridge the gap of misunderstanding about our culture,life,religion and more.We can finally appreciate each other's race.Just with a friend like that,our mindset had been etched freshly into our young minds.
Friends are important,but so much more in this Little Red Dot of ours.
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