Victims in Gaza conflict, Myanmar quake not forgotten amid Hari Raya celebrations: Masagos

Victims of the conflict in Gaza and the earthquake in Myanmar have not been forgotten by the community in Singapore, even amid Hari Raya festivities.

- Nadine Chua

Speaking to the media on March 31, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said that in the past month, more than $1 million has been raised in a campaign conducted by local charity Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation for humanitarian relief in Gaza.

The donations will help provide food, medical supplies and essential goods to the people of Gaza.

Mr Masagos, who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, said: "I am glad that as we carry out the festivities, we have not forgotten those who are still suffering around us, and also those who recently met with calamity because of the earthquake.

"I hope that we always hand out generously to the victims, and give them some hope and some light amid their difficulties."

Mr Masagos, who was speaking after he joined about 3,500 congregants at Masjid Al-Iman in Bukit Panjang for prayers, also showed appreciation to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) contingent that left for Myanmar on March 29.

He noted that many in the 80-strong contingent are Muslim officers. "I am very thankful to the volunteers and staff of SCDF who left Singapore to help our neighbours by rescuing those who are trapped, and those who are suffering from the massive earthquake," he said.

"Many of (the SCDF personnel) are Muslim officers who left their families despite the Hari Raya period. Let us all thank them for the sacrifices they are making for our nation."

After prayers, Mr Masagos thanked volunteers and staff of mosques in Singapore, who he said helped congregants carry out