Terror attacks overseas dampen mood at Ramadan’s end, say Muslims

SINGAPORE —  Even as Muslims in Singapore celebrated Hari Raya yesterday, the mood was tinged with a sombre note, with some residents at a community event expressing sadness over the wave of terrorist attacks, most recently in Medina and Dhaka.

Speaking to TODAY after early morning prayers at Al-Taqua Mosque yesterday, housewife Madam Maznon Hussin, 63, said: “It’s supposed to be a joyous moment when everyone of the same religion gets together, and then all this happens.”

Madam Surati Sultan, 60, echoed similar sentiments. “It’s not fair that all this happens,” she said, tearing up.

Madam Hussin and Madam Sultan are among the 1,200 Muslims who gathered at Al-Taqua Mosque for early morning prayers yesterday. More than 50 residents and grassroots leaders of various ethnic and religious backgrounds also visited the mosque after the prayers.

Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Mohamad Maliki Osman, who is also Mayor of South East District and Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC, joined the prayers.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said: “This year, we do celebrate Hari Raya with a bit of concern, for what has happened for the last few days especially. What happened in Medina was really very unfortunate. It is the holy city, and I think the fact that terrorists even have the heart to do something in the holy city is something we all should condemn.”

He added: “I met some of my residents last night. I went to visit their homes as we did some prayers, and we prayed for the victims, those who were affected by the terror attacks.” But while Singaporeans should not let their guard down, they should at the same time “celebrate this occasion”, he said. TAN WEIZHEN