Just two hours after the Jakarta blasts, about 30 religious and community leaders of the Braddell Heights’ Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle received information about what was happening on the ground there.

They were also asked by the authorities to look out for reactions in their communities.

Said Venerable You Guang, adviser to Puat Jit Buddhist Temple and a member of the circle: “Most times, the sentiments people express after such an attack are harmless. But if they take sides along racial or religious lines, we must intervene.”

He was among religious leaders of all stripes interviewed yesterday who agreed with Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam that they can help Singaporeans better understand terrorist ideology and ensure Singapore remains united.

… The comments by these religious leaders were in response to a lecture by visiting professor Julius Lipner of the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.