Diversity is a source of strength for societies, and engaging meaningfully with difference is not easy, but it is necessary, President Halimah Yacob said last night in a speech where she outlined three key ingredients for social harmony.

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies executive deputy chairman Ong Keng Yong also spoke at the dinner on the importance of interfaith dialogue in light of intensifying identity politics and conflicts between communities. This year, mosques in Christchurch and churches in Sri Lanka were targeted in major terror attacks.

“We live in a time where conversations surrounding race and religion are often marred by negative emotions such as hatred and fear,” he said. “The place of worship has become the target of violence instead of a peaceful sanctuary for believers.”