Faqs about the Commitment

Frequently Asked Questions about the Commitment

1. What is the Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony?

The Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony articulates the shared values to safeguard our religious harmony, as well as many positive ways Singaporeans have been interacting across religions to foster a cohesive society.

With global trends and practices dividing communities along religious lines, religious leaders representing various faiths in Singapore have agreed that it is important to continually reaffirm their commitment to shared values that undergird religious harmony. The Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony was then developed following several discussions among local religious leaders, with support from the Government. View the full text of the Commitment.

2. How is the Commitment different from previous declarations or guidelines for Religious Harmony?

The Commitment elaborates on the 2003 Declaration on Religious Harmony, which outlines the broad principles for inter-religious confidence. The 2003 Declaration is currently recited at inter-faith events such as Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society’s annual Inter Racial Inter Religious Harmony Nite, and the annual IRO Day organised by the Inter-Religious Organisation (“IRO”).

The Commitment goes beyond past declarations on religious harmony by emphasising the many positive ways Singaporeans have been interacting across religions, that will allow us to continue to enjoy a highly cohesive society, and prevent segregationist or exclusivist practices from taking root and separating communities. The 2003 Declaration on Religious Harmony can be found at https://iro.sg/.

3. Who can affirm the Commitment?

Religious bodies in Singapore are eligible to affirm the Commitment. These include religious organisations that are: a. Registered as a company under the Companies Act (Cap. 50); or b. Registered as a society under the Societies Act (Cap. 311)

4. Does the leader of my religious organisation need to endorse the affirmation?

Yes, if you are affirming the Commitment for your organisation, you should seek the agreement of your organisation’s leadership.

5. My religious organisation has signed up to affirm the Commitment, but I do not see it in the list of religious organisations who have affirmed the Commitment on the webpage. What should I do?

Please contact us at commitment@harmonycircle.sg for assistance.

6. My religious organisation is unable to sign up to affirm the Commitment. What can I do?

Please contact us at commitment@harmonycircle.sg for assistance.

7. Is the Commitment legally binding?

No, the Commitment is not legally binding. It aims to guide religious leaders and their communities in fostering a religiously harmonious and cohesive society.

8. What happens after an organisation affirms the Commitment?

Affirming the Commitment is a symbolic and important expression by religious organisations that they will do their part to uphold religious harmony.

All organisations are encouraged to share the Commitment with their communities, so that they can also embrace and practise the shared values and positive actions articulated in the Commitment.

9. If I am not a religious organisation, how can I show support for the Commitment?

Non-religious organisations and members of the public are also welcome to write in to support the Commitment, at commitment@harmonycircle.sg.

For further enquiries, do write in to commitment@harmonycircle.sg.