Uplift the Muslim community by working together, Masagos urges

SINGAPORE — Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli on Wednesday (Aug 22) urged Malay Muslims to work together to help uplift the community, echoing a call made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally.

Speaking to the media after the Eiduladha prayers at the Masjid Al-Mawaddah in Sengkang, Mr Masagos said that members of the community have by and large done well in their careers.

More have graduated from universities and polytechnics compared to 50 years ago, he noted.

"And I'm also happy that…many have come forward to contribute to the community," he added.

"We believe that if they can work together, align, we can provide better services and uplift the community even further."

In his Malay speech at the National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 19), Mr Lee had urged more Malays to volunteer with community institutions even as great strides have been taken to build a strong culture of self-reliance and co-operation.

He encouraged them to contribute to the community through three key Malay Muslim organisations which he dubbed M³ - the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), self-help group Mendaki and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (Mesra).

Some 4,500 Muslims had gathered at the mosque on Wednesday morning to mark Hari Raya Haji.

Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, the Mufti of Singapore, also delivered a sermon at the mosque on the meaning of sacrifice.

Of the 3,700 sheep Singapore received for korban rites this year, 163 were sacrificed at the ritual at the Masjid Al-Mawaddah.

Korban is the ritual of animal sacrifice during Eidul Adha in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's expression of faith. The meat from the sacrifice is encouraged to be shared with the poor and needy.

Mr Masagos was joined by President Halimah Yacob, who distributed hampers to 20 beneficiaries at the mosque.

The hampers were part of a new initiative called Project Gold (Gift of Love in Diversity) by Masjid Al-Mawaddah and the Sengkang South Citizens' Consultative Committee.

Launched in June, the initiative helped raise about S$80,000 from eight individuals and corporations. The money will be given to about 60 needy families.