Singapore’s National Council of Churches (NCCS) has urged Christians to show restraint in engaging with the LGBTI community as the city state prepares to hold the LGBTI pride Pink Dot festival this week.

The council made the statement in response to some Muslim leaders and some Christian churches urging Singaporeans to wear white to protest the Pink Dot festival this weekend.

However in urging Christians to be graceful in their approach to LGBTI people the council also reaffirmed its view that people who are transgender or engage in same-sex relationships are sinning.

‘The current discourse on LGBT prompted by the intention of the LGBT community to hold a Pink Dot picnic on 28 June 2014 has generated strong reactions among Singaporeans, including Christians,’ the council said in a statement.

‘In the interest of clearing up the matter concerning human sexuality for members of the Christian public who may be confused, the NCCS would like to reiterate the Christian view that homosexual or bi-sexual practices are contrary to the teaching of the Bible.

‘The Council holds that the only sexual relationship sanctioned by God and given as a gift from God is that between a male and a female within the bounds of a monogamous marriage.

‘The Council also wishes to state that while it does not condone homosexual or bi-sexual practices, it also does not condemn those who are struggling with their gender identity and sexual orientation.

‘The Council therefore urges members of the Christian community to always act with grace and restraint should they engage with the LGBT community over the coming event.’

The Islamic Council of Singapore has also urged Muslims not to take a ‘confrontational approach,’ to LGBTI people and the Pink Dot event.