SINGAPORE – Despite the differences between Jews and Muslims, peaceful coexistence can be achieved, with the religious harmony enjoyed here being an example, said the Mufti of Singapore in a letter sent to the Republic’s Chief Rabbi last Friday.

His letter, as well as the response from Rabbi Mordechai Abergel on Sunday, were shared through the Jewish Welfare Board in a Facebook post in which both religious leaders emphasised the importance of unity and solidarity amid the ongoing conflict in Israel.

Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir in his letter, which was also posted on his Instagram account, said: “There is no place and no justification for any form of violence and brutality on civilians by anyone, including those by Hamas, or in any retaliatory response.

“The right of civilians to live peacefully must be protected at all times.”

He added: “We offer our sincerest condolences, prayers and solidarity to those whose lives were taken unjustly, to those who have been injured and to their loved ones. May their sorrows heal and may they find peace in these troubling and challenging times.”

He noted that the conflict has a long and complex history, but pointed out that “our scriptures emphasise the human need for mercy and compassion”.

It is these qualities that ensure each community “has the basic right to believe and practise that belief, and to live peacefully in the world”.

“If these fundamental rights are under threat, it will almost certainly unleash enmity and conflict. And the greatest victim and loss in wars and conflicts is humanity itself,” he said.

In his letter, he expressed the hope that both the Jewish and Muslim communities in the conflict zones could look past political ideologies and instead live together “with a different model of respect, tolerance and harmony”.

“I hope we can share our model of coexistence with the communities in the affected regions and communicate the urgency of peaceful relations to their leaders,” he added.

In response, Rabbi Abergel told Dr Nazirudin that he was encouraged by the Mufti’s letter. He said the Jewish community here is thankful for the Government’s zero-tolerance policy on hate speech, religious hatred and incitement, and added that the utmost priority is for communities here to come together “in the days and weeks ahead”.

The Israel-Hamas war began after militants launched an attack on Oct 7. In what was the biggest incursion into Israel in decades, Hamas fighters killed at least 250 Israelis and took dozens of hostages during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. More than 230 Gazans were later killed after Israel began retaliatory strikes.

As at Sunday, more than 1,400 Israelis and 2,450 Gazans have been killed. 

The number of lives lost has been impossible to comprehend, as is the pain that grieving families are experiencing as they mourn their loved ones, said Rabbi Abergel.

Stressing that it is of paramount importance to further strengthen the longstanding bonds between the Jewish and Muslim communities in Singapore, even as challenges lie ahead, he said that it is very important for communities here to come together. “It is up to us and our communities to ensure that we protect and maintain the delicate fabric of our unique society which is a role model of religious tolerance and respect throughout the world,” he noted.

Expressing the sorrow experienced by the Jewish community, he added: “Our hearts and prayers are also with innocent Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives in this senseless conflict, and we do hope and pray for a peaceful and long-lasting solution to this war and a permanent peace between Israel and the Palestinian people, as elusive as it might seem at this moment.”

Dr Nazirudin said: “We fear and weep for the sad state of the human soul in this time of unprecedented violence and suffering in the world; how hatred will be entrenched in the minds of victims, how conflicts will be exploited to sow enmity between communities, how compassion and forgiveness will be replaced with anger and vengeance.”

He hoped that despite their differences, both Jews and Muslims in the conflict zones can set aside politics in pursuit of “respect, tolerance and harmony”.

He said: “I cherish the trust and confidence between our communities, where we can speak freely and candidly on what matters most to us, and work together towards commonalities that strengthen, not focus on differences that divide.

“Our work to put forth a different model of peaceful coexistence, where every community in Singapore can live peacefully alongside other faiths and celebrate diversity, has now become even more critical.”

In response, Rabbi Abergel said: “May the darkness we are currently experiencing pave the way to light and peace for Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians. May it happen swiftly and decisively in our days.”