As we started our walking tour, we came to South Bridge Road, which is known as Singapore’s “Street of Harmony”. This road brings together a variety of religious sites, reflecting Singapore’s long tradition of religious coexistence.
On your right you will see Masjid Jamae, a distinctive green building with two towers. Built in 1826, the mosque was the spiritual home of Tamil Muslim traders and money changers from southern India.
Not far ahead is the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, built in 1823. Built in the South Indian Dravidian architectural style, it remains an important religious and cultural landmark for the Hindu community.
Further along, you’ll come across a number of Buddhist and Christian pilgrimage sites, some of which were newly built in 2007. They are all located on the same road, highlighting Singapore’s commitment to religious harmony and multiculturalism.
Many of these pilgrimage sites were originally built near Singapore’s first coastline, and they held great significance for the early settlers. Before the advent of modern transportation, sea travel was extremely dangerous and safe arrival was never guaranteed. Travellers and traders would immediately
It is not uncommon to visit temples, mosques or churches to express gratitude for their safe passage. As time has passed, Singapore's religious landscape has become more diverse and the tradition of harmonious coexistence between different religions has continued, making Singapore a global example of cultural tolerance.