Menteri Masagos Zulkifli
Hj Alami Musa, Presiden, Muis
Esa Masood, Ketua Eksekutif, Muis
Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Mufti Negara
Tetamu yang dihormati
Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan

Assalamualaikum wr wb. Alhamdulilah, kita dapat bertemu dengan bulan mulia Ramadan sekali lagi. Pada hari ini, saya gembira dapat bersama anda semua di majlis buka puasa ini, walaupun secara digital.

Tahun lalu merupakan tahun yang amat mencabar bagi penduduk Singapura, termasuk masyarakat Melayu/Islam. Oleh kerana langkah pemutus rantaian jangkitan, masjid-masjid terpaksa ditutup dan masyarakat kita segera membuat penyesuaian yang besar dalam amalan-amalan yang biasa dilakukan di bulan Ramadan dan Syawal. Namun, saya bangga dengan sikap positif masyarakat kita dalam menangani cabaran ini. Masyarakat kita, tidak kira tua ataupun muda, terus tabah dan menyambut Ramadan dan Syawal dengan riang sambil mematuhi langkah-langkah jarak selamat demi membanteras virus ini.

Tahun ini, sambutan Ramadan dan Hari Raya masih tidak seperti sedia kala. Tetapi saya yakin, ia tidak mematahkan semangat kita untuk pastikan ianya tetap bermakna. Bahkan, saya lihat masyarakat Melayu/Islam terus bersemangat lebih-lebih lagi untuk membantu golongan yang kurang bernasib baik, tanpa mengira bangsa atau agama. Contohnya, Muis dan rakan kongsinya seperti masjid-masjid serta Yayasan Rahmatan Lil Alamin, atau RLAF, telah menganjurkan  pelbagai inisiatif untuk menolong mereka yang memerlukan. Saya terharu dengan sokongan padu masyarakat bagi kegiatan-kegiatan yang bermakna ini.

Izinkan saya teruskan ucapan saya dalam Bahasa Inggeris.

Ladies and gentlemen, the COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted many activities during this holy month, but the spirit of Ramadan remains alive and vibrant. It is especially heartening to witness how our community continued to help one another, especially the vulnerable among us. This is driven by the ethos of every Muslim to help those in need, regardless of race or religion.

This notion was well encapsulated by Mufti Dr Nazirudin’s sermon at the launch of Sentuhan Ramadan last month. He advised us to love others as we love ourselves. This teaching embodies the essence of sharing our blessings with the community. And this sharing of blessing is best done together, with like-minded partners, when we help the vulnerable and those in need. It is therefore befitting that Muis is actively collaborating with different stakeholders and partners to better serve the community.

Together with Muis, mosques play a key role in offering programmes and initiatives to further strengthen the community, while meeting the community’s spiritual needs. Since the start of the pandemic, both Muis and mosques have worked closely together to adapt their programmes so that support for the those in need remains uninterrupted. For example, Muslims can continue to pay their zakat and make donations online, ensuring that thousands of Muslim families, seniors and vulnerable continue to benefit from its distribution. Muslims, including those in need, also stand to benefit from the various Islamic programmes offered by Muis and mosques. For example, Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka offers a Home-based Islamic Learning Programme for residents in Jalan Kukoh. Certified religious teachers visit Muslim families in their neighbouring vicinity to teach them Islamic practices in the context of a multiracial and multireligious society, and to offer support where possible.

Many of our mosques have also collaborated with community partners to serve their larger community. Masjid Hasanah, for example, has been working with the Ayer Rajah Community Club to distribute masks and hand sanitizers, as well as in the vaccination outreach efforts to seniors. In recognition for their significant role, Masjid Hasanah was awarded the People’s Association Community Spirit last year.

Muis also works closely with partners such as the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, which aptly means ‘Blessings to All’ Foundation. The Foundation, or RLAF, was established to provide food, aid and support for the challenged segments of society all over the world and  advocates a culture of sharing our blessings to benefit everyone. As we saw in the video montage earlier, the RLAF, together with Muis, the People's Association, the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and some Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles shared the blessings of Ramadan this year with the less fortunate by distributing food to families living in rental flats within the vicinity of mosques and community clubs. This is the true spirit of Singaporeans: as a nation, we support one another, regardless of race or religion.

In closing, I would like to express my appreciation to Muis, as well as our mosque leaders, staff and volunteers for your hard work in supporting the needs of our community and strengthening social cohesion in our multi-cultural and multi-religious nation. As the Malay saying goes, “Hati gajah sama dilapah, hati kuman sama dilepah”. Let us continue to share our blessings whether in times of prosperity or hardship. May our sense of family, unity and kampong spirit remain strong, as we overcome this pandemic and build a bright future together.

Selamat berbuka puasa!