Launch of Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

The Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) is a research programme which was launched at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) on 9 June 2014.

The SRP centres on how various religious communities develop their teachings to meet the contemporary challenges of living in multi-religious and multi-ethnic societies, also known as plural societies.

Focusing on education, research and community engagement, the SRP also seeks to deepen the study of relations between religions, and to formulate new models to promote the positive role of religion in fostering peace and social harmony. It also aims to develop shared knowledge to strengthen social ties within plural communities.

Heading the SRP programme is Mr Mohammad Alami Musa, Singapore’s non-resident Ambassador to Algeria. He is concurrently the Non-Executive President of Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) Council and Honorary Business Representative for Middle East and North Africa for International Enterprise Singapore.

Singapore billionaire Peter Lim donated S$3 million to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for a new professorship in peace studies to help fund research by top global experts who can lead the development of RSIS’ peace studies curriculum and research strategies as part of the school’s new SRP programme. The Singapore Government matched the gift dollar-for-dollar, bringing the endowment to S$6 million in total.