MFA Press Statement: Working Visit Of Senior Minister Of State For Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed To The United Kingdom, 23 - 28 October 2008

Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed visited the United Kingdom from 23-28 October to learn about the UK's experience on interfaith dialogue, social cohesion and Muslim community relations and share Singapore's approach towards inter-racial and inter-religious relations. During his visit, Mr Zainul met political leaders, government officials, religious and community leaders, including Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee for Communities and Local Government Dr Phyllis Starkey and members of the Steering Committee of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB).

Mr Zainul also visited Birmingham, home to a large Muslim community in the UK. There, he called on the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Mr Chauhdry Abdul Rashid and was hosted to dinner by the Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources Mr Alan Rudge. Mr Zainul also visited the Birmingham Central Mosque and Islamic Relief UK.

In addition, Mr Zainul met leading scholars on Islamic studies and ethnic relations from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) and the University of Warwick's Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations (CRER). At these meetings, he spoke about Singapore's support for interfaith dialogue and activities on the international front and underscored the importance of continued engagement with such centres for excellence to enhance our understanding of the contemporary challenges faced by different Muslim communities.

While at Warwick University, Mr Zainul took the opportunity to meet Singapore students studying at the university over a tea session organised by the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU). He encouraged the students to maintain their links with each other and to Singapore, as well as to find ways to build and promote a Singapore identity wherever they were.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
29 OCTOBER 2008