SINGAPORE - Harmony between different races and religions is a fundamental principle for Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted on Racial Harmony Day on Thursday (July 21).
In a Facebook post, PM Lee wrote that Singaporeans should celebrate their diversity, and share one another's customs and cultures.
Pointing to recent terrorist attacks in Orlando in the United States, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Nice in France and Puchong in Malaysia, which he described as "chilling, driven by hatred, and heartbreaking", PM Lee said there have been more cases of people rejecting diversity and inclusion.
He wrote: "In Singapore, we must always stay united as one people, and never allow any such event to break or divide us."
Schools in Singapore commemorate Racial Harmony Day to remember Singapore's 1964 race riots.
The annual event highlights the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony here. In 1964, the ensuing violence from one race riot lasted five days and left 22 people dead and more than 450 injured.
