Centre for Interfaith Understanding - CIFU

13/08/2026

Here’s sharing again! 🤗

🕌✨ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨🕌

As part of CIFU’s new 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, we invite you to journey with us as we explore the rich traditions, histories, and communities that shape Singapore’s multicultural and multireligious landscape. 🇸🇬

Join our 2nd visit in this series with “𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 Soka Gakkai Singapore” — a timely and meaningful introduction to the faith organisation of the Nichiren Buddhist tradition. ✨

In this session, participants will:
✅ Understand their cultural and religious practices
✅ Learn about their historical presence within Singapore’s diverse landscape
✅ Build friendships with members of the community

🗓️ Sunday, 23 August 2026
🕒 10.00am – 1.00pm
📍 Soka Gakkai Singapore Headquarters
(10 Tampines St 81, Singapore 529014)

Organised by 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨)
In partnership with Soka Gakkai Singapore.

Whether you’re curious about different faith traditions, passionate about fostering understanding, or simply looking to learn something new, we’d love for you to join us.

Scan the QR code or register via this link: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/gtk-002

🕌✨ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨🕌

As part of CIFU’s new 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, we invite you to journey with us as we explore the rich traditions, histories, and communities that shape Singapore’s multicultural and multireligious landscape. 🇸🇬

Join our 2nd visit in this series with “𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 Soka Gakkai Singapore” — a timely and meaningful introduction to the faith organisation of the Nichiren Buddhist tradition. ✨

In this session, participants will:
✅ Understand their cultural and religious practices
✅ Learn about their historical presence within Singapore’s diverse landscape
✅ Build friendships with members of the community

🗓️ Sunday, 23 August 2026
🕒 10.00am – 1.00pm
📍 Soka Gakkai Singapore Headquarters
(10 Tampines St 81, Singapore 529014)

Organised by 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨)
In partnership with Soka Gakkai Singapore.

Whether you’re curious about different faith traditions, passionate about fostering understanding, or simply looking to learn something new, we’d love for you to join us.

Scan the QR code or register via this link: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/gtk-002

09/08/2026

Today, we celebrate Singapore — not only for how far we have come, but for the people and communities who have journeyed together to make this island home.

Our story is woven from many threads: different races, cultures, languages, beliefs and traditions, each contributing to the rich and diverse tapestry that is Singapore. Our differences need not divide us; when we listen, learn and care for one another, they can become a source of strength and resilience. 🌏🤝

As we embrace this year’s call to “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!”, may we look beyond ourselves and our differences — reaching further in understanding, extending greater kindness, and building stronger bridges across our communities.

For CIFU, going beyond also means continuing to create spaces where people of different faiths and backgrounds can meet, engage in meaningful dialogue, and discover the shared humanity that connects us all.

May Singapore continue to be a place where everyone has a sense of belonging, where diversity is valued, and where we move forward together with courage, compassion and hope.

Majulah Singapura! Happy National Day, Singapore! 🇸🇬🎉

05/08/2026

Yesterday (4 Aug), CIFU hosted Professor Liyakat Takim. Prof Liyakat is involved in many interfaith initiatives and spoken in many parts of the world, including Singapore previously, hosted by institutions such as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and the Jaafari Muslim Association of Singapore (JMAS).

Prof Likayat currently holds the Sharjah Chair in Global Islam at McMaster University in Canada.A native of Zanzibar, he is a renowned ecumenical scholar of Islam with research interests in topics such as reformation in Islam, Qur’anic exegesis, the role of custom in shaping Islamic law, Islam in the western diaspora, Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic mystical tradition, Islamophobia, the treatment of women in Islam law and more. His latest book titled “Shi‘ism Revisited: Ijtihad and Reformation in Contemporary Times” was published by Oxford University Press in January 2022.

In the meeting yesterday (5 Aug 2026), Prof Liyakat emphasised that universal values should unite humanity and that these values are also found in Islam. He shared that interfaith work should also include intrafaith work, with the latter being urgent in today's sectarian world where there are disharmonious factions within many religious communities.

Much of religious thought in the world today is in need of reforms, including on gender issues, and Prof Liyakat's work is especially important for consideration, particularly within the Muslim context.

The meeting was attended by Professor Yaacob Ibrahim (CIFU Advisor), Mohamed Imran (CIFU Vice-Chairperson), Dr Phyllis Chew (CIFU Board member) and Saifudin Anshari (Jaafari Muslim Association of Singapore).

04/08/2026

🕌✨ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨🕌

As part of CIFU’s new 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, we invite you to journey with us as we explore the rich traditions, histories, and communities that shape Singapore’s multicultural and multireligious landscape. 🇸🇬

Join our 2nd visit in this series with “𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 Soka Gakkai Singapore” — a timely and meaningful introduction to the faith organisation of the Nichiren Buddhist tradition. ✨

In this session, participants will:
✅ Understand their cultural and religious practices
✅ Learn about their historical presence within Singapore’s diverse landscape
✅ Build friendships with members of the community

🗓️ Sunday, 23 August 2026
🕒 10.00am – 1.00pm
📍 Soka Gakkai Singapore Headquarters
(10 Tampines St 81, Singapore 529014)

Organised by 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨)
In partnership with Soka Gakkai Singapore.

Whether you’re curious about different faith traditions, passionate about fostering understanding, or simply looking to learn something new, we’d love for you to join us.

Scan the QR code or register via this link: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/gtk-002

24/07/2026

CIFU founding Board member Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib joined "Displacement Dialogues #1: Interfaith Mutual Aid," hosted by Mad Roaster on 23 July 2026.

The conversation examined what happens when faith-based organisations serve communities outside their own tradition — using Jesuit Refugee Service and Habibi International's work with refugees of different faiths as starting points. Moderated by Madeline Chan (Mad Roaster founder), with fellow panellist Ruth Wei (Habibi International).

Key points raised:

→ Interfaith issues shouldn't be read through religion alone — historical and political context matters too. Cases like the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar and the Yezidis in Iraq show how religion is often used to justify extremist political agendas.

→ Religious freedom looks different across contexts — Singapore's treatment of groups like the Ahmadiyya compared to elsewhere, such as persecution in Pakistan.

→ Privilege comes with responsibility: how can communities in Singapore use their position to engage real concerns, not just symbolic ones?

→ The inaugural 1976 Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, held in Singapore the year after the Fall of Saigon, was cited as historical precedent — interfaith leaders coming together to raise awareness on the refugee crisis.

→ A call to look outward, not just inward: social justice grounded in faith, not proselytisation — including examples like Christian-run NGOs supporting communities in Muslim-majority countries.

→ Grassroots interreligious stories — communities living and working alongside each other without incident — often go unreported, overshadowed by coverage of conflict.

→ The discussion pushed past "dialogue for dialogue's sake," raising harder questions: ethno-religious nationalism, funding flows to faith groups, and how interfaith work can build reciprocal regional ties rather than one-off feel-good exchanges.

15/07/2026

CIFU was honoured to be invited to participate in this year’s Storytelling Festival, organised by the Migrant Writers of Singapore. 📝

Based on the theme “Stories Build Bridges: A Space for Solidarity,” the festival celebrated the power of storytelling to foster understanding, empathy, and connection across communities. 🤝

Our Honorary General Treasurer, Lina, shared her personal reflections on identity and belonging, while introducing CIFU’s mission of building bridges among people of different faiths in Singapore. 🇸🇬

The festival was filled with amazing performances, meaningful conversations, and engaging interactions at the various booths. We left with new perspectives, deeper connections, and a renewed appreciation for the stories that bring us together. 💕

Thank you to the Migrant Writers of Singapore for creating such a warm and inclusive space. We look forward to continuing to build bridges—one story at a time. 🗣️

11/07/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 (𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)
Theme: Stories Build Bridges: A Space for Solidarity

📅 Date: 12 July 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Central Library, Programme Room 2 (Bugis Library 1)
100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064

Stories Build Bridges: A Space for Solidarity celebrates the power of storytelling in bringing people together across cultures, backgrounds and lived experiences. Through spoken word, performances, dance, film and creative collaborations, the festival creates opportunities for migrant and local communities to connect through shared narratives and artistic expression.

The festival also features the Solidarity Space, where organisations and community groups can engage with the public, share their advocacies and foster meaningful conversations through interactive booths and community networking.

Together, these spaces aim to strengthen empathy, understanding and collective support — reminding us that stories can build bridges and create communities rooted in solidarity and belonging.

Organised by Migrant Writers of Singapore
Supported by Sing Lit Station and The Majurity Trust
Our Venue Partner: National Library Singapore

🖼️ Sahed| Media Lab Crew

09/07/2026

🎙✨ 𝐂𝐈𝐅𝐔 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 ✨🌱

We’re pleased to share that our Chairperson, Kathir, was recently featured on the Climate Interfaith Podcast (Episode 3):

“𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴?”

In this thoughtful conversation, Kathir reflects on how faith traditions — including his own tradition of Hinduism — can inspire environmental stewardship, ethical living, and collective responsibility in addressing climate change. 💪

The episode explores how spiritual values shape our sustainable choices and how interfaith collaboration can contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s green journey. 🌱

📅 Aired: 5 December 2025
🎧 Duration: 47 minutes

We invite you to tune in and be part of this important conversation at the intersection of faith and sustainability. 🙏

🔗: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y9g3QoKwO4DPRorOZ9h9R?si=-G1N9gbaQXGKNrt8oNGJAQ&utm_source=copy-link

04/07/2026

🎉✨ 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭 @ *𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐄 ✨🎉

We were honoured to be invited to Harmony Fest, organised by Harmony Circles and held at *SCAPE, in celebration of Racial & Religious Harmony Month. 🌟

Graced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister David Neo, the event brought together religious leaders, community leaders, youth groups, and organisations committed to strengthening harmony in Singapore. 🇸🇬

From vibrant multicultural performances to interactive booths representing various faiths and community organisations, the festival offered a lively and welcoming space for learning and connection. Visitors could explore exhibits, sample traditional snacks, play games (including chess matches! ♟️), snap photos at the photobooth, and discover more about the diverse communities that make up our shared home.🏡

It was heartening to see so many people — across generations — celebrating unity in diversity. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

Here’s to continuing the work of building understanding, friendship, and trust across our racial and religious communities. 🤝🙏