Muslim community groups can help in interfaith understanding: Shanmugam

Important to reach out across races and build links amid security challenges, he says

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof

Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said local Muslim community groups, also known as qaryah, can help in interfaith and interracial understanding amid a challenging security landscape.

He was speaking to qaryah group leaders and volunteers at Khalid Mosque in Joo Chiat on March 6 during a Qaryah Appreciation Iftar (breaking fast), which brought qaryah leaders together to recognise their contributions.

"Really, you can see the 'kampung spirit' and I think it is extremely important that we continue with this tradition of qaryah," said Mr Shanmugam.

"It is a real ground-up initiative, and we will give it every support."

The 150 attendees at the event included Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, MPs such as Dr Wan Rizal of Jalan Besar GRC, and senior executives of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, or Muis.