French Embassy to observe minute’s silence at 7pm on Monday

SINGAPORE — The French Embassy in Singapore will observe a minute of silence at 7pm tomorrow (Nov 16), in tandem with the same ceremony that will be held in France for the victims of the terror strikes in its capital last Friday evening.

While this ceremony will be open to only French nationals in Singapore, members of the public can pen their thoughts in a condolence book at the embassy from today till 9pm on Wednesday.

At the French Embassy along Cluny Park Road today where the country’s flag was raised to half-mast, French citizens based in Singapore, Singaporeans and tourists continued to mourn the victims of the shootings.

Throughout the afternoon, many came by the embassy to place flowers, light candles or to leave behind hand-written notes and cards. Some of them also huddled together and said a prayer for the people of France.

One hand-coloured card depicting the France flag read “Nous Sommes Paris” (We are Paris), in reference to the Charlie Hebdo shootings that happened in January. Another hand-written note read: “Our hearts go out to the people of France at this very sad time. Stay strong against this cowardly act of terrorism.”

French citizen Gaelle Petra, 38, who was based in Paris before she came to teach in Singapore, brought her 11-year-old son to place flowers outside the embassy today.

Commenting on the coordinated attacks, she said: “I was not surprised as Paris is a very big city, with high risks and it can be difficult to control. I just feel that it could also happen anywhere and we have to act against extremism. This should not be used as something to divide us.”

Ms Stephanie R, 28, who has worked in the hospitality sector here for the last six years, added: “The attacks in Paris touched the heart of France ... my first thought was ‘Again?’. We all knew it will happen again, but so soon?”

Singaporean Naomi Ong, 12, rallied her parents and siblings to come by the embassy to place flowers and a hand-written note after learning of the news. 

“Paris (does not) allow guns, Singapore also does not allow guns. I thought, ‘This is also something that can happen in Singapore’,” she said.