SINGAPORE - Another $2 million has been raised during the month of Ramadan by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin (Blessings to all) Foundation, taking the total amount in providing aid, relief and shelter for families and children affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza to a record $10 million.
Of the $2 million raised, about $400,000 was collected from donation boxes at the 70 mosques in Singapore.
The $10 million collected since the fund-raiser was launched in October 2023 is the highest raised by the foundation.
Eight million dollars was dispensed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East by March 2024.
Speaking to the media after Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka on April 10, Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said this will go a long way in providing the people of Gaza with comfort and assurance that the international community cares.
War broke out when the Hamas militant group, which controls Gaza, attacked southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and more than 250 being taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, Israel’s ensuing bombardment of the small Palestinian enclave of 2.3 million people has killed more than 33,000.
Countries and humanitarian groups have been providing aid to the Palestinians, with the population on the brink of famine, said a UN-backed report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative. The UN estimated in February 2024 that 300,000 Palestinians are living with little food or clean water.
Singapore has sent a medical team to Egypt to treat civilian casualties from Gaza, as well as supplies such as medicine, sanitation items and food for civilians. Singapore Red Cross has also sent medical supplies, food and water worth at least $250,000 to civilians in Gaza.
Mr Masagos, who is also Second Minister for Health, told the media he is glad that throughout Ramadan, the Malay-Muslim community worked together tirelessly to improve the lives of the less fortunate in Singapore and overseas.
“It is also in the spirit (of compassion and care) that we want Muslims in Singapore to show that mercy and welfare are not only for Muslims or those who live nearby; but also for those beyond our shores,” he said.
“This generosity and care for those in need is the essence of active citizenry in Singapore society,” he noted, urging all to continue to nurture the spirit of compassion and make contributions to charity beyond the month of Ramadan. He pointed to pioneers and philanthropists such as the late Hajjah Fatimah Sulaiman and Syed Omar Ali Aljunied, who had done much to benefit current and future generations.
Mr Masagos picked the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque in Kampong Glam to deliver his Hari Raya Aidilfitri message on April 9; and Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, Singapore’s oldest mosque, for his Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers on April 10.
Built between 1845 and 1846, the Hajjah Fatimah Sulaiman mosque is one of the few mosques in Singapore named after a female benefactor.
Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, located in Keng Cheow Street, off Havelock Road, was constructed by the Aljunied family – first by philanthropist Syed Omar Ali Aljunied in 1820, and then his son Syed Abdullah Omar Aljunied in 1855.
Speaking in Malay, Mr Masagos said the unity has helped the local Muslim community navigate crisis after crisis, including negative postings on social media. He was replying to a question on a post by the Embassy of Israel in Singapore on March 24, 2024. The post had made claims by citing the Quran and was taken down after intervention by the Singapore Government.
He said the community had remained calm, which helped it overcome challenges with confidence and reiterate its position as a Malay-Muslim community here.
He said the community takes pride in adab (the Islamic etiquette of having good manners, respect and appropriateness), uniting it with the larger Singapore society.
About 700 congregants attended prayers with Mr Masagos.
