For the first time in the history of SMU’s Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series, the lecture on 27 September 2016 was delivered by a member of the SMU faculty – SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong

Lecturers in the Series have covered a wide diversity of fascinating topics – including economics, national development, government, management, leadership, innovation, environmental sustainability, data privacy, education and happiness. However, not since the Series’ first lecture in February 2005 has a speaker addressed the topic of religion. It proved to be an area of great interest to many people, as SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong’s lecture on “Religion and Space: Conflict and Violence in the Contemporary World” filled the Mochtar Riady Auditorium and spilled over with members of the audience watching a live feed in the nearby Media Theatre.

Prof Kong greeting members of the audience before her lecture.

SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer welcomed the speaker and a diverse audience which included senior members of the SMU faculty and staff; students and faculty members from SMU, NUS and NTU; students and teachers from Polytechnics, Junior Colleges and other educational institutions; and leaders and members of government departments and religious organisations, amongst many others.

SMU President Prof Arnoud De Meyer making his welcome address.

“About six months ago,” said Professor De Meyer, “Professor Lily Kong offered me a copy of her latest book, Religion and Space: Competition, Conflict and Violence in the Contemporary World, written with co-author Dr Orlando Woods. The next morning I had to tell her that I almost had a sleepless night.” He said he always glances through a new book but often puts them aside after a short while. “Not this time! I kept on reading till deep in the night…  and I thought that it would be a pity that only a small group of specialised readers would have the opportunity to hear about the creative research and ideas developed… on how religious groups interact and negotiate for space in the contemporary world. I reflected on the fact that as Deans, Provost and yes myself as President, we have rarely the occasion to engage in a discussion about our research and I decided that I would create the opportunity for Professor Kong to showcase her research to the broader SMU community.”

Enjoying the lecture were (left to right) Mr Tom Estad, Senior Lecturer of Corporate Communication and Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programmes); Prof Ong Siow Heng, Dean of Students; Prof Cheng Qiang, Dean, School of Accountancy; and Prof Steven Miller, Vice Provost (Research).

Professor Kong’s lecture was largely drawn from the contents of the book. The use of space is integral to religions, she said. However, as sites of worship and destinations of pilgrimage, physical spaces sometimes take on sacred significance. As different religious and secular needs compete for physical and symbolic space, conflict and even violence may erupt. As a result, spaces sometimes become places to be fought over, defended and protected. She went on to explore how religious groups negotiate their claims to both religious and secular spaces, and how such claims may be managed, negotiated and contested by different secular and religious agencies. As globalisation has given rise to new forms of religious competition, these dynamics have evolved, she suggested. At the same time, in the face of competition, conflict and violence, religious groups need to develop a capacity for social resilience amongst their adherents. Professor Kong also discussed how religion plays a role in developing social resilience.

After the main lecture, Professor De Meyer moderated a question and answer session between Professor Kong and the audience. Questions ranged from how to avoid religious conflict, the role of government in relation to religious practices and managing religious spaces, the implications of religious spaces becoming heritage spaces, and the relationship between politics and religion.

A young member of the audience posing a question during the dialogue session.

Discussion of the issues presented did not stop at the of the Q&A session, but continued as Professor De Meyer and Professor Kong joined members of the audience in lively discussions at a dinner buffet reception outside the auditorium.

Prof Kong posing for a photo with a member of the audience, after the lecture.

Main photo: SMU Provost Prof Lily Kong with SMU President Prof Arnoud De Meyer during the dialogue session following Prof Kong’s lecture on Religion and Space, part of the SMU Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series.

Watch the videos here.

See also:

·       Religious competition: How to keep the good, minimise the bad, Prof Lily Kong, The Straits Times (23 September 2016)

·       Balancing the Sacred and the Secular, Shuzhen Sim, Research@SMU Issue 40