The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) joined its counterparts in the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, or MUIS, in condemning the recent terror attacks in France.

On Thursday morning, three people, including at least one church worker, were killed by a knife-wielding assailant in an attack on a church in Nice – less than two weeks after a teacher in Paris was killed in apparent retaliation for offences against Islam.

NCCS President Reverend Keith Lai and General Secretary Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian on Saturday, October 31, 2020 wrote a letter in response to an open letter to the leaders of the Christian community written the day before by Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, in which the MUIS head expressed his “prayers and solidarity” for those affected in the Christian community.

“Like you, we reject the ideology of hate which motivated these attacks,” wrote the senior NCCS leaders.

“It is the same ideology undergirding other recent terrorist acts committed in the name of religion, which has resulted in the deaths of Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths.”

The acts of violence in France were committed by extremist elements “who do not represent the true teachings and spirit of Islam”, added Rev Lai and Dr Ngoei. “They are unrecognisable from the face of Islam which we see through our daily interactions with our Muslim friends, neighbours and colleagues in Singapore.”

The religious harmony in Singapore must not be taken for granted, they added, but needs continued effort by members of each religious community to build relationships with those from other faiths.

“The NCCS is committed to working closely together with MUIS and the other religious organisations in Singapore to foster such friendship and trust. May we always remain one united people, committed to the well-being of all Singaporeans, in spite of our differences in race, language and religion,” they wrote.

“We pray for the victims of the recent terrorist attacks, and for their families and local communities. We pray also for the nation of France, that it will be able to find a way to cultivate understanding and harmony between the different religious communities, as well as with those without any religious commitments.

“We look to God to bring his healing, reconciliation and peace to the world he has created and which he loves profoundly.”

Their comments followed statements from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier on Saturday which likewise condemned the attacks.

“It had resulted in the death and injury of innocent people in a place of worship. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and wish the injured a swift recovery,” the MFA said in a press statement.