Interfaith leaders gather at Hari Raya reception as Harmony Centre marks 20th anniversary

1. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) kickstarted the 20^th anniversary celebrations of its Harmony Centre with a Bridges of Faith Hari Raya Dinner. The annual event brought together about 150 faith leaders, activists, and youth. In his opening remarks, Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, highlighted how Singapore’s religious communities can maintain social harmony while responding compassionately to global conflicts. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, attended as Guest-of-Honour.  

Harmony Centre - Two decades of building bridges

2. Established in 2006 as a MUIS initiative, the Harmony Centre has grown from a grassroots interfaith dialogue platform into one of Singapore's key institutions for social harmony. The Centre has helped the Singapore Muslim community to understand the importance of working together through shared values that bridge all faiths. Its gallery, situated inside Masjid An-Nahdhah in Bishan, provides a physical space for learning and engagement.

3. Harmony Centre’s main strength comes from its focused programmes and genuine dialogue that have built interfaith skills now recognised both locally and internationally. These programmes have made the Centre a trusted resource that trains today's leading interfaith advocates and community leaders.  By equipping youth and religious teachers (asatizah) with practical tools to champion social peace and sharing its proven method globally, the Centre has become a key part of Singapore's efforts to help different communities live together harmoniously.

4. Please find notable initiatives of Harmony Centre towards social cohesion in the past 20 years in Annex A.

5. Since 2007, the Centre has hosted the annual Hari Raya reception to maintain active and positive relationships between religious leaders and community partners. This year’s reception focuses on a vital contemporary issue; how faith communities can respond to global conflicts with compassion whilst drawing on shared religious values that honour the sanctity of human life. 

Mufti's keynote address: Unity in challenging times

6. The reception's centrepiece was Mufti Dr Nazirudin's keynote address on maintaining local harmony amid global conflicts. Mufti acknowledged that while overseas conflicts inevitably affect local communities, he emphasised that Singapore must have the courage to do what is right for its unique context and safeguard national interests. Drawing from various religious traditions, he highlighted how all major religions share a fundamental duty to protect the sanctity of human life – a unifying force that transcends denominational differences. Mufti invited faith leaders to deepen relationships beyond leadership circles through shared meals, joint acts of service, congregational visits, and programmes, emphasising that true harmony requires engagement at every level of society. 

New leadership for the journey ahead

7. The event also marked the official introduction of Ustaz Muhammad Nasir Johari as the Centre's new Head. This appointment signals MUIS's continued strategic investment in developing future interfaith leaders and reflects institutional commitment to sustaining Singapore's harmony model for decades ahead. 

Annex A - Information on Harmony Centre's notable initiatives since 2006 [PDF, 288 KB]