Religious groups oppose 'Pink Dot' gay rights rally in Singapore

Tension between religious groups and the gay community in Singapore is escalating ahead of an annual gay-rights rally today - the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan - which is expected to draw thousands of people.

The Pink Dot rally saw a record turnout of more than 20,000 last year and made international headlines. The event brings together supporters of rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people (LGBT), who come dressed in pink and champion the "freedom to love", organisers said.

The movement has grown stronger over the years with local celebrities' endorsement and major corporations like Google and Barclays sponsoring it.

While previous rallies resulted in grumbles from some Christian conservatives, opposing voices have grown louder this year. Online debate has grown so heated that Christian and Islamic authorities as well as politicians have called for restraint. Pink Dot organisers, for the first time, are also hiring security personnel.

In response, one Islamic religious teacher has urged Muslims to wear white clothing today as a sign of protest.

Lawrence Khong, the influential pastor of the roughly 10,000-member Faith Community Baptist Church, supports the Muslim Wear White campaign. In a Facebook post, he said it provided Christians with the unique opportunity to "stand in solidarity with the Muslim community on this social cause".