10/09/2016

S'pore got 10 religious leaders to bless upcoming F1 race

Singapore Grand Prix 5 September at 03:47

Keeping with the tradition, 10 religious leaders of various faiths bless the upcoming #F1 #SingaporeGP.


Singapore got 10 religious leaders to bless upcoming F1 race
On Monday, a group of 10 religious leaders representing different faiths gathered at the Marina Bay Circuit to bless the upcoming Sep 16 - 18 event and its drivers. This ceremony has been a ritual for the Singapore Formula One racing event since it started in 2008

This year's Singapore Grand Prix is just two weekends away, and already its organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. According to an interview that Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix, gave to Today in 2013, the religious practice is unique to the Singapore circuit.

Seeing that the race has been fraught with health concerns over Singapore's most recent Zika outbreak, it comes as no surprise that the blessing ceremony was carried out on such an elaborate scale.

Still, many Singaporeans are amused by the antics and have taken to social media to voice their opinions.

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Singapore Grand Prix Like This Page · 5 September

Ahmad Khairi Jumali: Blessing an event which involves alcohol, wild parties, and women in skimpy clothing. Hmmm... I wonder what God has got to say.

Yiheng Ciaran Chia: What about praying for the circle line, and all other MRT lines? Singaporeans need its stability even more.

Benjamin Alexander Cai: Seriously? Why use religious blessings for such a trival event?

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10 religious leaders bless 2016 F1 Singapore track and Internet finds it amusing
Some objected to it on religious grounds

The 2016 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix kicks off next week (Sep 16-18), but not before the track is blessed by the city’s keepers of different of faiths.

Representatives from 10 different religions which are practiced here in Singapore – Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Taosim, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, Baha’i faith, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism – came together to pray for the safety of all the competing drivers and crew who will be arriving for the ninth edition of Formula 1’s iconic night race in the Lion City.

The practice of praying for the circuit was started in 2008 as the organisers felt that safety is paramount and that they wanted to pray for the security of all involved in the race, and also for good weather.

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Religious leaders of various faiths bless the upcoming F1 night race
The ten religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Baha'I and Jainism

Many say such blessing is a sign of how religions are well respected in Singapore, a Facebook user, commented, "Love this! This is what I call respect and peace for each other's religion!"

But some noted the hint of irony in the act of blessing the annual event by the religious representatives.

And another, Pulu wrote, "Wonder why should a Blessing Ceremony be made for such International Gambling, Parties, Alcohol, Money spinning, womanising Event. All these contradicts the teachings of Buddha of Lust, Greed, Anger and Delusions and even for all other religions, GOD does not condone such gambling, alcoholism, wild parties and gambling. If it is a charity event or just a sport , it is fine. Such blessing be made better with the World Peace and Sufferings, World health, Cancer patients, the orphans.... Pray for No War, No Child Hunger....and all good cause...:"

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10 religious leaders carry out annual track blessing ahead of 2016 F1 S’pore Grand Prix
Reactions to the blessing have been positive

Organisers of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix said on Wednesday, Aug. 31 that the night race will take place as scheduled.

This was after Singapore continues to grapple with a rising number of both Zika virus cases and countries around the world advising against pregnant women from travelling to the Republic.

Preparations for the race “are on track and proceeding as per normal”, a Singapore GP spokesperson said.

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Singapore track blessed ahead of annual F1 night race 2013

Leaders representing Singapore's 10 religions bless the Marina Bay street circuit on 12 Sep 2013, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix which begins on 20 Sep 2013.

Ahead of next week’s 2013 Formula One Singtel Singapore Grand Prix (Sep 20–23), the Marina Bay Circuit was blessed this afternoon in a ceremony presided by representatives from the Republic’s 10 religious faiths.

According to Colin Syn, Deputy Chairman of Singapore Grand Prix, no other race circuits in the world has such a public practice and on such an elaborate scale.

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Religious leaders bless F1 race 2012

As excitement for the Singapore Grand Prix revs up, 10 religious leaders gathered a week ahead to bless the event.

The little-known ritual has been a regular feature since the inaugural race began in 2008.

On Sunday, religious leaders representing the Bahai faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism and Zoroastrianism were at the Formula One Pit Building at Marina Bay to bless the start of the race week here & pray for safety of the drivers.

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