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SINGAPORE: Religious leaders say followers must speak out if they feel a religious elder has breached the rule of respect between religions.
The call came in the wake of the case involving Pastor Rony Tan, who had made insensitive comments about the Buddhist and Taoist faiths in three widely-circulated videos recently.
"Recent headlines have been dominated by a church pastor who made insensitive comments about the Buddhist and Taoist religions," said Syed Hassan Al-Attas, Imam of Ba'alwi Mosque.
"This episode prompted various religious leaders to issue statements on the need to be respectful to other religions. But how do they ensure that the message is being heeded on the ground?"
The head of Ba'alwi Mosque acknowledged that at best, what he can do is to caution mosque elders to be mindful of their words at all times.
"To talk bad about other religions is a serious matter, whether it be in private," he said. "Because in private, even in a small group among your own members, you will plant uneasiness and hatred towards other religions and other people. (It's even worse) when you talk in public."
There is a small museum in the Ba'alwi Mosque, which includes Taoist and Jewish artefacts among its displays – an example of how the mosque promotes greater understanding of other faiths. The museum is open to the public.
The mosque also has guidelines for overseas speakers - no politics, and no discussing other faiths. Syed Hassan said that these guidelines have been in place as far back as 20 years ago. They were later adapted by the Islamic Council of Singapore (MUIS).
The mosque also encourages followers to speak out if they feel the line has been crossed – a sentiment which is shared by others.
"I'll walk up to (the speaker) and tell him, actually what you said is wrong, you should not be criticising other religions," said a member of the public.
"If it's a first time comment, I'll probably write to the person who did the comment. But if it's many times already ... I'll write to the bishop," another said.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who is a Buddhist, also told TODAY newspaper that if the rule of respect has been breached, "we should blow the whistle and remind all about it".
For many, the government's response to Pastor Tan's videos highlighted the swiftness with which it will act in such a situation. Some said the episode revealed a silver lining.
Dr R. Theyvendran, a member of Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, said: "No matter what you do, the fringe few would always give you that shocker once in a while, which is good, which would shake up the people's complacency, and not take things for granted."
Pastor Tan has since apologised for his remarks.
- CNA/yb
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