Goh Chok Tong launches coffee table book on Geylang Serai's heritage

Singapore - Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong launched the "Vibrant Geylang Serai: Heritage in Harmony" coffee table book at the inaugural "Heritage in Harmony" seminar and exhibition this morning.

Organised by the Geylang Serai Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC), the event showcased the roles and activities of the IRCC and the religious organisations within the constituency.

"Vibrant Geylang Serai: Heritage in Harmony" Coffee Table Book

The Geylang Serai constituency has a diverse ethnic population, and is home to more than 100 religious organisations and clan associations. With temples, churches and mosques located in close proximity and co-existing harmoniously, Geylang Serai is an excellent example of racial and religious harmony in Singapore.

Adviser for Geylang Serai IRCC, Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef, said: "At Geylang Serai, while we have groups of people with different beliefs and cultural practices, it is heartening to see strong community efforts in place to maintain religious and racial harmony. This is something which we treasure and hope to strengthen, so that it continuously grows as a part of the distinct characteristic of our constituency."

The "Heritage in Harmony" book highlights the history, evolution and practices of the religious and community organisations in Geylang Serai. The book documents a rich collection of stories and anecdotes, compiled by the IRCC and grassroots leaders from Geylang Serai, with input from the religious organisations and clan associations.

Assoc Prof Fatimah led the editorial committee and provided input on the layout and contents. The book will also serve as a resource tool to create greater awareness of the constituency's unique heritage and diversity for future generations of Singaporeans.

Copies of the book will be distributed to various stakeholders, including schools and religious organisations, and will also be available at the National Library after the launch. Members of the public who wish to find out more about the book can contact the Geylang Serai Constituency Office at 67472919.

"Heritage in Harmony" Seminar and Exhibition

Mr Goh also launched the "Heritage in Harmony" exhibition, which showcased religious and cultural artifacts from the religious organisations in Geylang Serai. In addition, the exhibition featured cultural activities, IRCC game booths and roving performances.

Alongside the exhibition was a seminar themed "The Evolving Roles and Impact of Religious Organisations". The seminar, which shared different perspectives on the changing roles and responsibilities of religious organisations in the Singapore, featured a keynote address by Dr Mathew Mathews, a senior research fellow from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and a panel discussion chaired by Assoc Prof Fatimah.