TASK A COMPLETED
Q1.How different are we?
Singapore is a multi-ethnic country. We are different by racial, cultural and religions backgrounds. Despite these differences, it is possible for people to live in peace and harmony.

Q2.What are the challenges of multi-ethnicity in Singapore?
In a multi-ethnic society like Singapore, issues such as race and religions can be used as conflict among the different groups. There are challenges like managing perceptions of different racial and religions groups and threats from external forces.

How racial issues could divide the people.
The lack of understanding among the racial groups can create suspicion and unhappiness among the people. This may lead to outbreaks of violence among racial groups. In 1964, Singapore experienced race riots which resulted in 36 people dead and 560 others injured.
In July 1964, during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday, a clash between a Chinese policeman and a group of Malay participants of the procession, turned into full-brown race riots over the next full days. These race riots cause damage to property as well as loss of lives. The race riots illustrated how easily the peace and harmony in Singapore can be broken.

This is one of the picture captured during the race riots in 1964. [Click to zoom in]

How religious issues could divide the people.
Differences in religious beliefs and practice are also issues that can be used to create tension among the people in Singapore. This was illustrated by the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950. The outbreak of violence left behind destruction and loss of lives.
In the 1940s, a Dutch couple was imprisoned by the Japanese. That 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, married a Malay teacher.
When her parents demanded that Maria be returned to them, a count trial followed. This court trial had wide media coverage and provoked much unhappiness among the Muslim community. The court decided to give custody to the Hertoghs, after much consideration.
The large crowd outside the court felt that the British legal system was unfair to Muslims. This sparked off anger towards the European and Eurasian communities which resulted in the outbreak of riots.The riots showed that if religions issues are not handed carefully, hostility and distrust could occur among the people, thus affecting the relationship among the different religious groups.

Q3.What were the measures taken to foster social cohesion (unity among the people) in multi- ethnic Singapore?
Building a national identity such as multi-racialism, common practices and bilingualism. Safeguarding the interests of the minority groups such as minority representation and self-help groups. Developing common space such as events and programmes organised by grassroots organisations, opportunities offered by educational institutions, common living space provided by public housing, activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles. (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs) and shared experience through National Service.

Q4.Why is it important to foster social cohesion?
If people can live together in peace, this will bring about a better life for everyone. Harmony in Singapore has made progress possible. Security and peace that all Singaporeans enjoy. People feel safe in Singapore. With peace and stability comes economic progress. Foreign investors invest and set up their companies in Singapore because their investments would be protected.

Q5.Explore other ways to foster social cohesion in Singapore.
The government can provide more opportunities or activities for different races of people to interact more. However, to foster social cohesion mainly depends on us. If we could get along with everybody, this will make Singapore a peaceful and harmony country.