Peaceful co-existence has not always been the boast of Singapore, but they have worked very hard to achieve it and work very hard at maintaining it. Not every culture would necessarily buy into the measures described in this link, but Singaporeans largely have and the results are something you can sense everywhere you go in Singapore (well everywhere I have been so far).
To a casual observer and short term visitor, it is most obvious in the arrangements of their places of worship / observance of faith and reflection of cultural identity: in their temples, mosques, synagogues and churches. Here are a few examples I have photographed. In one street near me there is an Indian Temple beside a Taoist Chinese Temple, a small plain (Protestant?) church on the next block, the main Synagogue on the other end of that block and the St Joseph's Catholic church across from the front doors of the Chinese and Indian Temples.
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| St Joseph's backdoor view |
In Little India where this gorgeously elaborate temple is right on the street,......
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....the huge noticeboard with all the Deepavali events is on the lawn of the Mosque a few buildings away. Mosques are built to face Mecca and don't always align with the the street, so they have courtyard space and lawns as part of their development and here, clearly, are not parochial about whose religious festival is 'advertised' in that space.
I have already blogged the Taoist Chinese Temple and Islamic shrine side by side in Chinatown, but didn't mention that there is also a mosque in the same block on the other side of the Chinese Temple.
Here, on another street in Chinatown, you can clearly see a Mosque and an Indian Temple (and the in the background a monument to modernity or temple of mammon possibly).
Having been raised in 'no frills' Protestant places of worship, I think I am in love with the colour, art, artisanal skill and expression, the flourishes and embellishments, and the imaginative and fabled creatures that populate the Taoist Chinese and Indian temples in particular - and to seeing important religious festivals play out side by side, same day same street, different traditions - no conflict. I hope Singaporeans are proud of what they have achieved and continue to work for in this respect. I have no doubt that it has come at some price, and personal and cultural sacrifice, but they all reap rewards in peace and safety.
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| Sri Mariamman |
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| Our Lady in eastern styling outside a Catholic local church. |
It’s lovely to see that sometimes we learn from history. Unfortunately mostly we don’t and repeat it.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks lovely. Such a beautiful city
This is a lesson to us all. However Singapore achieved this, it seems to work. There are many paths to follow and it's good to see all faiths honoured.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder why, if it works there why not everywhere else!
ReplyDeletePeople have to buy into a sacrifice of the 'self' the achieve the greater good. Can you imagine that in your street. Your neighbourhood? In our country as a whole? Not me, not my street, not where I li e up to vote. Then having boted for it you have to be prepared to stick with it - I believe government here is described as benign dictatorship. Singaporeans buy into the message that their government keeps them safe.
DeleteThat's Voted for it...
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI agree there will have been 'sacrifices' along the way - but that is also the very essence of all faith structures: that life entails compromise (seen as sacrfice by some) in order to be lived cordially. Recognition of differeneces, disagreeing agreeably, acknowledging the right of opinion without diatribe. Then finding that which is common to all and celebrating together... A wonderful FFF post - thank you F!!! YAM xx
I have got the impression over the years that living cordially with those of different faith is not the universal message of all faiths, or at least not of some people who have possibly subverted the message of their faith for their own power seeking ends, and would have the souls of followers enslaved in darkness.
DeleteTemple of mammon is a clever description for the tower blocks.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately i have to worship there daily.
DeleteSingapore is such a unique place. It's interesting to consider whether the policies that appear to work there could be transplanted to other parts of the world with different histories and cultures. Somehow, I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
I completely agree with your doubts.
DeleteI am doubting that it is working, that it just looks like it is working. Humans do not work well with each other, no matter where they are.. maybe they are doing it because the govt says do it. they do look quite amazing all in the same streets and all in one place, so much spectacular architecture and gorgeous details. I can't even agree with my husband for more than 5 minutes at a time. I do believe we should all live side by side and allow each to their own beliefs. one thing for sure is it is not happening here. we are now not America the beautiful, but America the Angry. that applies to the population majority. sad because we are so blessed and don't even know it. keep the photos coming, i am loving seeing Singapore through your lens.
ReplyDeletePerceptive. It is working on the surface. I'd need a lifetime here to know what is going on underneath. That Anger you write of seems to be spreading. I despair. People don't recognize their blessings, or are not prepared to share them. Government should be about good leadership, not about the lowest common denominator, so maybe Singaporeans have bought into some leadership they believe in. Even ex-pats here tell me they believe the taxes they pay here are well spent and that they feel they can see the results (in a positive way rather than as glossy lives for politicians).
DeleteEveryone in every country can learn from this, what a shame we all can't do the same and co-exist within tolerance of each other
ReplyDelete