Singapore`s Mufti Urges Community To Show Compassion And Exercise Prudence

Singapore - The Malay-Muslim community in Singapore has been asked to continue to show compassion to those who need help, as well as to maintain the habit of prudent spending.

These key themes were emphasised by both the Mufti, Syed Isa Semait, and Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, as the community celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Sunday.

After a month-long Ramadan fast, Muslims in Singapore began the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations with the traditional morning prayers at mosques all over the island.

Prayers and sermons were also held in open spaces like covered car parks to reach out to as many as possible, especially the foreign workers from countries like Bangladesh, which has a large Muslim population.

Dr Yaacob, who joined the prayers at the Al-Istighfar Mosque at Pasir Ris, emphasised the points which the Mufti had earlier stressed in his sermon.

Dr Yaacob hopes that the message of being compassionate will not end with the Aidilfitri celebrations period.

He said: "Given the modern world and given the intense competition, there will be people who face challenges. And as Muslims, we encourage people to share whatever little we have.

"And with a lot of effort from the government and community, the Malay community has been rising. The middle class has been emerging and it is important that we share with those who are affected, and this does not pertain to Muslims but also non-Muslims, because Islam teaches us to (be) compassionate with every individual who is affected.

"The message is timely and I hope the message does not just end here but also continues to be part of a way of life."

But that does not mean the community should go on a spending spree, said Dr Yaacob.

He said: "We must continue to be prudent, irrespective of whether it is good times or bad times, because as a value, as a skill, as a quality, it is something which we think is important, which will put us in good stead in good times and bad times."

Dr Yaacob also took the opportunity to remind Singaporeans to continue to be vigilant to threats in the region.

He said the death of Southeast Asia`s most wanted terrorist Noordin Top will not solve all the problems. Hence the need to continue working with the government and the relevant authorities to ensure that the region is free of terrorism.

He said: "This is one part of the equation. We are not going to pretend that this will solve all the problems. The most important thing is we continue to be careful. We continue to be vigilant. Let us work together with the government and the relevant authorities to ensure that the region is free of terrorism. S Ramesh/Riz Sunawan

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com

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