Goh said that emotions will likely be aroused when US forces carry out military strikes against terrorism and its supporters and the terrorists take counter action.

"We need to manage any tensions that may arise, in the spirit that we are all Singaporeans together," he said in a speech at a charity dinner.

Racial harmony is a top concern in Singapore, where the 3.2 million population comprises 76.8 percent Chinese, 14 percent Malay, most of whom follow Islam, and 7.9 percent Indians.

The city-state is also surrounded by predominantly Muslim neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia, where anti-American demonstrations have been held.

The September 11 suicide attacks in New York and Washington are believed to have been carried out by Islamic extremists.

US forces have been preparing to carry out military strikes against Afghanistan where the purist Islamic government, the Taliban, is hosting as a "guest" Osama bin Laden, the man Washington believes masterminded the deadly attacks.

"This need to see ourselves as one people takes on an added importance in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US," Goh said, citing the rising number of attacks on Muslims, Indians and Middle Eastern people in other countries.

"Singaporeans must not allow ourselves to be divided by such mis-perceptions," he said.

"The attacks on America were committed by a group of terrorists. Yes, they were Muslims, but their acts were not sanctioned by the Muslim community or by Islam," Goh said.

He said there have been cases of "inappropriate behaviour" between Muslims and non-Muslims students in Singapore schools.

However, the education ministry has taken measures to help staff and students view the attacks "in the proper perspective and to use these as learning points for strengthening the bonds in our society."

Goh's speech came hours after a Muslim political group in Singapore opposed US retaliatory strikes on Afghanistan and called for an international court to try suspects of the September 11 attacks.

The Singapore United Front, a Malay-based political party, said any US action must be aimed at bringing justice, not revenge.

"We support the fight against terrorism, but it must be for justice, not revenge," said party president Ibrahim Ariff, speaking at Singapore's designated free-speech corner.

He proposed an international court to try the perpetrators of the attack and their supporters, but said he disagreed with "attacking one nation just because of one man," referring to Afghanistan and bin Laden.

"We disagree with the US attacking Afghanistan," said Mansor Rahman, head of the political bureau of the Malay Rights Assembly, one of the groups under the Singapore United Front.

"When you use military action to attack Afghanistan, thousands of innocent people will die. Children will die," said Mansor, who was also speaking at the Speakers Corner.

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