Amid the hubbub surrounding the clash between Pink Dot and Wear White, two government ministers have spoken: Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.
The latter was said to have responded to queries about the abovementioned clash at the launch of the Touch of Ramadan celebrations on June 22.
According to TODAY, Dr. Yaacob urged those who want to express support for a cause or a choice of lifestyle should express it in a way that does not divide the community. "At the end of the day, people have to make their own choices... We have made clear where our values are and, at the same time, we also recognise that we live in a different society, it's a multiracial, secular society," he explained.
Dr. Yaacob, who is Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information, also reiterated MUIS' stand on the issue, saying that Singapore's mosques should remain a neutral religious platform and continue to "serve the Muslim community of all shades".
Meanwhile, DPM and Finance Minister Mr. Tharman has reminded the local community, whom he believes is mostly made up of "very moderate people", to handle matters to do with religion and personal preference with balance and restraint, TODAY reports."We just have to be a society where you don't go pushing your own beliefs and preferences, but at the same time everyone keeps the balance in society and avoids creating conflict... It's something that requires active management on everyone's part."
Pink Dot, an annual event celebrating the freedom to love (anyone you want to), happens this Saturday, June 28, the same evening the Muslim fasting month begins.
Photo: Pink Dot SG Facebook
Amid the hubbub surrounding the clash between Pink Dot and Wear White, two government ministers have spoken: Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.
The latter was said to have responded to queries about the abovementioned clash at the launch of the Touch of Ramadan celebrations on June 22.
According to TODAY, Dr. Yaacob urged those who want to express support for a cause or a choice of lifestyle should express it in a way that does not divide the community. "At the end of the day, people have to make their own choices... We have made clear where our values are and, at the same time, we also recognise that we live in a different society, it's a multiracial, secular society," he explained.
Dr. Yaacob, who is Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information, also reiterated MUIS' stand on the issue, saying that Singapore's mosques should remain a neutral religious platform and continue to "serve the Muslim community of all shades".
Meanwhile, DPM and Finance Minister Mr. Tharman has reminded the local community, whom he believes is mostly made up of "very moderate people", to handle matters to do with religion and personal preference with balance and restraint, TODAY reports."We just have to be a society where you don't go pushing your own beliefs and preferences, but at the same time everyone keeps the balance in society and avoids creating conflict... It's something that requires active management on everyone's part."
Pink Dot, an annual event celebrating the freedom to love (anyone you want to), happens this Saturday, June 28, the same evening the Muslim fasting month begins.
Photo: Pink Dot SG Facebook