SINGAPORE: Religious organisations (ROs) can prepare for terror threats under a new programme that improves their ability to protect their premises and congregants, and help others in times of crisis.
The Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations (CPRO) programme, launched on Tuesday (Jan 14), aims to raise awareness of possible terror threats, introduce a crisis-ready mentality and improve security measures.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe programme is an initiative under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s (MCCY) SGSecure Community Network to ensure that ROs are well-prepared for crises.
Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu said terrorists around the world have attacked places of worship as “easy and soft” targets, enabling them to inflict “pain and damage”.
In March last year, a 29-year-old man opened fire at two mosques in New Zealand, killing 51 people in what was the country’s deadliest mass shooting. The suspect faces multiple charges including murder and terrorism.
“Such attacks can easily incite hatred and conflict, and sow animosity between the different faiths and races,” Ms Fu said at the Counter-Terrorism Seminar for ROs attended by more than 200 organisations on Tuesday.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“Therefore, ROs must stay vigilant against the threat of terrorism, be ready to respond to a crisis, and help the community stay resilient by providing the physical and spiritual support in a crisis.”
CHECKLIST, TRAINING, EXERCISE
MCCY said 100 ROs are expected to complete the CPRO programme by end-2020. Participation is free, with the length depending on an RO’s congregation size and how prepared it already is for a crisis. There are more than 800 ROs in Singapore.
Under the programme, ROs will first complete a self-assessment checklist to gauge their readiness and identify gaps in areas such as emergency response, contingency planning and relevant skills required in a crisis.
They can then attend up to nine modules to train members in crisis contingency planning, emergency response like the use of improvised first aid and automated external defibrillators (AED), and psychological resilience like mediation and mental wellness support.
Finally, ROs will participate in scenario-based exercises with other organisations in their vicinity to test their crisis response capabilities, validate their plans and ensure that staff and followers are well-prepared.
Ms Fu said congregants, and not just religious leaders, should participate to ensure ROs are fully prepared.
“The CPRO will train the followers in emergency response skills in order to support the RO and the larger community,” she said, adding that leaders should encourage congregants to attend basic training in administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED.
“They can also sign up for programmes on psychological resilience and mental wellness, and mediation.”
ROs that complete the programme will receive a certificate from MCCY, and are encouraged to become advocates of the programme and guide other ROs that wish to participate.
RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS, SECURITY AGENCIES HELPED DEVELOP PROGRAMME
In developing the programme, MCCY said it partnered representatives from more than 30 ROs to identify their needs in a crisis, develop a programme prototype and gather feedback on their user experience.
MCCY also partnered security and community agencies, such as the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force, to develop the training modules.
Last November, the two agencies conducted an anti-terrorism exercise at the Sultan Mosque, the first time such an exercise was held at a place of worship.
The CPRO programme was first announced during MCCY’s Committee of Supply budget debate last March, when Ms Fu urged ROs to join a new accreditation scheme aimed at preparing places of worship for crises.
[h=3]READ: Religious groups urged to join new accreditation scheme aimed at preparing them for crisis[/h]“Through the CPRO, our communities will be well prepared to respond and well-connected to support one another to stay resilient in the event of a crisis,” she said on Tuesday.
“Only then can we stay united and not allow terrorism to tear apart our social fabric.”
MORE RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS COMMIT TO SAFEGUARDING HARMONY
Ms Fu also provided an update on the Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony in Singapore, which religious leaders affirmed last June as a “clear stand” against extremist and exclusivist ideologies.
[h=3]READ: Singapore’s key religious organisations affirm commitment to religious harmony[/h]Ms Fu said a further 250 ROs and community organisations have affirmed the commitment since its launch, doubling the number to more than 500.
“This is an encouraging sign that we collectively recognise the importance of a cohesive society,” she said.
“By affirming the commitment, ROs pledged their support to a culture of mutual consideration and maintaining solidarity in times of crisis," Ms Fu added.
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