Serving the needs of the Muslim Community

Mr Faiz Edwin Ignatious, President, MCAS,

Mr Imran Kuna, Deputy President, MCAS,

1. [In Malay] Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekelian, Salam sejahtera dan Selamat Berpuasa. Bulan Ramadan adalah bulan yang mulia dan penuh erti buat umat Islam. Saya gembira dapat berada di majlis ini untuk sama-sama menyokong usaha murni menyebarkan sifat rahmah. Kini izinkan saya berucap dalam bahasa Inggeris. [1]
   

Exemplifying the strong spirit of charity and generosity

2. Zakat exemplifies the strong spirit of charity and generosity among Singaporean Muslims. It is one of the main pillars of Islam and I've very glad to be here to join you today. This is especially so during Ramadhan, as I understand that Muslims are encouraged to give even more to help those in need.

3. Year after year, the Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore (MCAS) has consistently collected and disbursed significant amounts of Zakat, helping many less-fortunate families. This year, more than $200,000 in cash and vouchers will be disbursed to 550 families.  This reflects the compassion and love of the Muslim community, and also the hard work put in by the MCAS Zakat officers, who work doubly hard during Ramadhan to administer and distribute Zakat. I hope the financial assistance you receive today will help ease your burden, and turn constraints into opportunities.

4. Take Ms Shabana Muhammad Iqbal for example. When both her parents passed away in 2013, she took on the responsibility of caring for her intellectually-disabled brother, Ilfan. When Ilfan leaves for school, Shabana settles grocery shopping and other household needs, and prepares Ilfan's food and medication before he returns home. You can imagine how tough it is for her as a young girl, especially when she doesn't have the means to find full-time work as well. So the Zakat that she receives from MCAS is extremely helpful for Shabana. She is now able to bake and sell cookies for extra income, and I believe she is still taking orders for Hari Raya cookies! So if any of you would like to have some nice cookies, please look out for Shabana.
   

Strengthening the Gotong-Royong spirit

5. I believe that a nation is truly successful only when its people show care and concern for one another, or what we call the Gotong-Royong spirit. It is not about how successful one is, but it is what we do with our success, and how we treat those around us. Today's event reflects our community's willingness to extend a helping hand to fellow Singaporeans in their time of need. And when we have this widespread culture of care, we are providing opportunities for Singaporeans like Shabana to lead better lives, and eventually give back to the community.

6. During the early years of nation-building, our pioneers overcame many challenges together, and built a multi-racial, multi-religious society. This Gotong-Royong spirit has brought us to where we are as a cohesive community, and a truly multi-racial Singapore, and this same spirit will make Singapore stronger, and more united as a nation.
   

Acknowledging MCAS' efforts to help the vulnerable

7. I would like to commend MCAS, not only in administering and disbursing Zakat during Ramadhan, but also your initiatives to help the vulnerable members of our community, such as the Meals on Wheels project, budgeting workshops and motivational talks. Your actions, your compassion, your hard work, have made a positive difference in the community, so I encourage you to continue your efforts. Well done!

8. Once again, Selamat Berpuasa and an advance Selamat Hari Raya for the upcoming celebration.

9. Thank you.

[1] Ladies and Gentlemen, greetings of peace and Selamat Berpuasa. Ramadan is a significant and meaningful month for the Muslims. Hence, I am very happy to be part of this event and to support efforts that help promote the spirit of compassion. Allow me to continue in English.