30th Anniversary of Jamiyah Home for the Aged (Darul Takrim)

Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President, Jamiyah Singapore;

Mr Talib Dohadwala and members of the Dohadwala family;

Members of the Executive Council of Jamiyah Singapore;

Partners, donors, volunteers and friends of Jamiyah;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. A very good afternoon to all of you. It is my pleasure to join you for this very special milestone. Let me first thank the residents of Darul Takrim for the wonderful kompang welcome earlier.

2. Before I begin, allow me to also say a few words in Malay.

3. Selamat petang dan terima kasih atas jemputan yang istimewa ini. Tahniah kepada Darul Takrim sempena ulang tahun penubuhan yang ke-30. Semoga usaha murni rumah ini terus memberi manfaat, kesejahteraan, dan kasih sayang kepada warga emas. Mudah-mudahan Darul Takrim terus maju dan diberkati dalam menjalankan visi dan misi kebajikan untuk tahun-tahun akan datang.

4. Darul Takrim has been part of our Tampines family since 1997, when it relocated from Still Road. Established by the then Ministry of Community Development, with Jamiyah Singapore as the managing agent, its vision was to serve the community, care for the society, and to provide a home for the homeless aged, so that every senior can be cared for, age with dignity, and have a place to call home.

5. Today, we celebrate Darul Takrim living that commitment, through deeds both big and small, every day, for the last thirty years. Thank you for making a difference every day for the last thirty years to the community, and we look forward to many many more years ahead. Shall we give a big round of applause to Darul Takrim?

Darul Takrim's Thirty Years of Service to the Community

6. And indeed your mission will be all the more important in the days ahead. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be above the age of 65.

   1. You make sure that every senior can grow old with family. When they have no family to call their own, they know they have a family here in Darul Takrim.

   2. When I was with the Silver Generation Office, I saw firsthand how much it means for a senior to know that someone cares.

   3. Therefore your work will matter even more. You provide a community where seniors belong, are cared for, and can age with dignity.

7. Darul Takrim helps our seniors lead active and fulfilling lives.

   1. Here, our seniors can paint batik, play the angklung and kompang, and go on outings all over Singapore.

   2. You can see their batik paintings and crafts at the Open House. Some are on sale today. Do bring some home and show your support.

Care for our seniors is a shared community responsibility.

8. And Darul Takrim has also brought and shared your mission with the wider community. You have become a gathering place for those who share your passion for caring for the homeless aged.

9. Schools, companies, mosques and grassroots groups visit regularly to spend time with residents.

10. In fact, fifteen groups – from preschoolers to secondary school students – visited just this morning.

11. There is something special when a young person gets to interact with our seniors.

    1. A young person can teach a senior how to use Instagram or Facebook on a smartphone, and a senior can share authentic life stories, lessons and experiences that they have, that no reel can ever convey.

    2. A young person can share with a senior about how new challenges are evolving in the world, but a senior can share about how their values of grit and determination helped overcome challenges in the early years and these same values will bring us through the challenges that we face today.

    3. And when young persons and seniors come together, we nurture that gotong-royong spirit, and help build a “We First” society, where we see one another better, we empathise with one another better, and we aspire to do better for everyone, not just ourselves.

Darul Takrim's Journey of Transformation and Learning

12. And as the world changes and as technology changes, our seniors’ needs will change as well. We are happy that with the excellent healthcare and community care, Singaporeans are living longer. But that comes with more complex care needs, such as dementia, and I am glad to know that Darul Takrim continues to evolve to meet our seniors’ needs.

13. And you do so by nurturing a learning culture. I am heartened that Jamiyah's staff conducted learning journeys to nursing homes and hospices, and came back inspired to create the Tangerine Room – a dedicated therapeutic space for residents with dementia. It offers a calm and familiar environment where residents can find peace on a difficult day.

Appreciating Those Who Made Darul Takrim What It Is Today

14. At this juncture, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the people who have made Darul Takrim’s story possible.

    1. There is a Malay saying: "Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing." No one carries the load alone. We share both struggles and joys together.

    2. To all the staff, the volunteers, and partners, thank you for the heart and dedication you have brought to this community.

15. I also want to highlight the contributions of the late Dr Kutbuddin Dohadwala – a role model for a lifetime of service.

16. In 1975, Jamiyah started its Free Medical Clinic with Dr Kutbuddin, so that those who could not afford medical care could receive treatment.

17. He volunteered for 50 years – showing up for the community, caring quietly, giving generously.

18. In 2022, Jamiyah honoured his legacy by establishing the Dr Kutbuddin Medical Studies Award.

19. And I am happy to share today that the Award has been expanded to include polytechnic nursing students, so that more young people who wish to serve can follow Dr Kutbuddin’s example. His spirit of service will live on through the next generation of caregivers.

20. So congratulations to all our award recipients. I hope you will go on to inspire the next generation to serve, just as Dr Kutbuddin inspired you to serve.

21. And to Dr Kutbiddin’s family – the Dohadwala family - thank you for keeping his spirit of service alive.

22. Dr Kutbuddin’s legacy reminds us that service is a long-term effort. Let us all be part of the next thirty years, and many many more beyond.

23. Volunteer. Donate. Bring your families. Every visit counts and every act of kindness makes a difference.

24. Allow me to end with a pantun to convey my best wishes on this wonderful occasion.

Pohon merimbun indah berseri,
Buahnya lebat di tepi laman;
Tiga puluh tahun Darul Takrim berdiri,
Semoga terus gemilang sepanjang zaman.

Air mengalir jernih berseri,
Kapal belayar menuju muara;
Terima kasih atas jasa yang diberi,
Semoga Darul Takrim terus Berjaya.

25. Selamat menyambut ulang tahun yang ketiga puluh. Semoga terus maju jaya.

26. Thank you.