Diplomacy of Coexistence and Security: Institutional Meeting at the Angullia Mosque in Singapore

Singapore – The World Organization of States – International Parliament for Safety and Peace (WOS-IPSP), intergovernmental organization, continues its commitment to promoting dialogue, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among communities through institutional engagement with local religious and civic representatives.

As part of this commitment, Father Marco Baragli, Cooperation Advisor of WOS-IPSP, visited the historic Angullia Mosque in Singapore's Little India district, where he held an institutional meeting with Packer Mohamed Rafeek, member of the mosque's management committee, and Abdul Rashid, operations assistant.

The discussions focused on issues of peace, interfaith coexistence, social cohesion and the prevention of human trafficking, examined within the unique institutional and multicultural context of the Republic of Singapore.

Regarding the issue of human trafficking, the representatives of the mosque emphasized that the phenomenon is effectively absent within Singapore due to comprehensive legislation, rigorous border controls and an efficient institutional framework. According to the participants, maintaining public security and social stability remains one of the country's highest priorities.

The meeting also offered an opportunity to examine Singapore's distinctive approach to interfaith relations. Rather than encouraging theological debate between different religions, the national model promotes mutual respect and guarantees every individual the freedom to practice his or her own faith. Interfaith relations are coordinated through governmental institutions, particularly the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, ensuring that potential community concerns are addressed through established institutional mechanisms, including the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act.

The choice of the Angullia Mosque as the venue for the meeting carries significant historical and symbolic importance. Established in the late nineteenth century through the charitable wakaf endowment of Indian Muslim merchant Mohammed Salleh Eusoffjee Angullia, the mosque has long served as a spiritual, educational and social reference point for Singapore's Indian Muslim community and for many foreign workers living in the city-state.

The visit highlighted the important contribution that religious institutions can make in strengthening trust, encouraging dialogue and supporting peaceful coexistence within multicultural societies. Experiences such as Singapore's demonstrate how cooperation between public institutions and faith communities can contribute to long-term social harmony and stability.

For WOS-IPSP, initiatives of this nature reflect the importance of preventive diplomacy, intercultural understanding and constructive engagement among communities as essential elements for sustainable peace and international cooperation.