Singapore’s Problem with Sensitivity and Mutual Tolerance

I am a student in NJC. I had just received an email regarding our Project Work (PW), by a certain PW teacher.  As a little prelude for those who don’t know, my PW group is at the moment slaving oursleves in creating our Group Project Proposal, topic: Terrorism. Throughout my level, there are other groups, albeit a few, similarly doing the same topic as ours. The email, sent to all of these groups, called for “sensitivity” to be exercised in light of our topic, terrorism.

I am not too fond of the word “sensitivity” and “mutual tolerance”. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the benefits of committing and engaging sensitivity in what we do. And I do relish the the benfits it has provided, Singapore is now a multi-religious and multi-racial society with no conflicts whatsoever. Where other contries have failed, we have succeeded in creating a society where four racial groups can coexist together peacefully.

However, I am not too keen to use “sensitivity”, because of its flaws in sustaining religious harmony, the same flaws I find with “mutual tolerance”.

To me, sensitivity is to turn a blind eye to the differences we encounter while interacting with other religious groups , and simply labeling it as an idiosyncrasy. Sensitivity in my opinion, is being polite enough to not enquire about burnt offerings flying in the sidewalks. Or being polite enough to not ask about Islam from its followers, despite a Singaporean lady killed in the Mumbai Attacks in Dec 2008. 

Sensitivity is a flawed concept by itself, as it discourages the finding of the truth, and it effectively represses a deeper understanding of an issue. In other words, “sensitivity” stands for political correctness, and not to encroach on something taboo.

When we exercise “sensitivity” in the topic of terrorism, we deliberately omit the term “Islam”, for it might hurt the feelings of Muslims. What is not achieved however, is the understanding of Islam and how it prohibits killing. Instead, we gain knowledge of Islam by resorting to news articles on the paper. Yesterday it was 9/11. Today, Talibans in Swat valley. What else tomorrow?

Another term which I am reluctant to employ, is “mutual tolerance”. To me it is a facade of unauthentic religous understanding. As an example, I liken mutual tolerance to simply enduring and tolerating with the noises emanating from the Malay wedding in the void deck. It is embodied in one’s supression of irritation when the strong overpowering smell of Hindu oil lamps wafts through his windows. 

The term “mutual tolerance” is reminiscent of a truce or a ceasefire between two parties. It means ignoring and putting up with our differences for the time being, without making the effort to understand nor appreciate our diversity. “Mutual tolerance” creates a ticking time bomb, because no one knows when Singaporeans can no longer tolerate “mutual tolerance”.

These two terms exhibit danger. Danger for through the lack of understanding a fragile bond exist between the religous groups. For this bond is just one conflict away from breaking and with the lack of true understanding of each other’s faiths, “sensitivity” and “mutual tolerance” is a pretence, a false impression of harmony and peace, while inside the hearts of the people, deep misgivings towards another religious group dominate. For this eventually leads to a retreat into religous getthos which serves no purpose in creating religious harmony in Singapore. 

Instead what we need is a dose of understanding, so as to prevent this illness from spreading in Singapore. An illness of misgivings, distrust and doubt, coupled with “sensitivity” and “mutual tolerance” to cover up these emotions. During Racial Harmony Day, I propose talks on the differing cultures, beliefs and traditions of racial and religous groups, not the simplistic and shallow adornment of traditional costumes of another culture. By promoting cohesive understanding, can we truly build a multi-religious nation with genuine harmony.

It is imperative that we work together towards this. Until then, I’m waiting for the time when we could truly perceive each other’s faiths, when we can truly be sensitive and not fearful to ask, and when PW teachers tell us to understand Islam instead of telling us to be “sensitive” to Islam.