Singapore is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, and the country celebrates its rich religious heritage as a source of strength for continued prosperity and economic advancement.
As a complement to the events at Ecosperity Week, a cultural tour to the Harmony in Diversity Gallery will be organised for delegates on 5 June 2019. This is an opportunity to explore Singapore’s unique and rich religious diversity through an immersive and engaging platform.
The Gallery, developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with community partners, showcases efforts required to build interfaith peace in a religiously diverse society. It comprises four galleries of exhibits, artefacts and interactive features that highlight the centrality of religious harmony to Singapore’s continued development.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience and observe Singapore’s racial and religious diversity through a guided walk around the Telok Ayer heritage district, in the heart of Singapore's Chinatown. The walking route covers Thian Hock Keng Temple and Nagore Dargah Shrine along Telok Ayer Street, and Anglo-Chinese School House along Amoy Street.
Photo credit: roots.sg
Thian Hock Keng is Singapore’s oldest Hokkien temple and is recognised as one of the most majestic Chinese temples in Singapore. Designed and built in 1842 by skilled craftsmen from China according to traditional Chinese temple architectural styles, the temple was gazetted as a national monument on 28 June 1973.
Photo credit: roots.sg
Nagore Dargah is an Indian Muslim shrine in the historic Chinatown area. It was built between 1828 and 1830 by the Chulias from south India in memory of Shahul Hamid, a holy man from Nagore, south India. The shrine, gazetted as a national monument in 1974, was later converted into the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre that showcases Indian Muslim culture and heritage.
Ministry of National Development (MND) Building Annexe B 7 Maxwell Road, #04-05/06, Singapore 069111
(Above Amoy Street Food Centre)
Guided tour of the Harmony in Diversity Gallery, followed by a guided walk around the Telok Ayer heritage district.