Embracing diversity, building community
this is : embracing-diversity.blogspot.com
This blog explores the need to embrace diversity and create harmony in our society.
=3
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry,
and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry
are equal in value no matter what their color.”
- Maya Angelou
"We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic.
Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings,
different hopes, different dreams."
- Jimmy Carter
"Variety is the spice of life."
- Proverb
navigations on top. =)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
about:
Building Community
authorname here
SINGAPORE: Singapore's multi-religious, multi-racial and secular society is "not a weakness, but a strength", said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Sunday at a community event organised by the chairmen of 69 mosques here.
And it is through our daily interactions with other races and faiths in schools, workplaces and housing estates that we "forge and strengthen this spirit of mutual understanding", said Mr Teo, who is also defence minister.
"We are fortunate that despite our many faiths and ethnic origins, we live, work and play as one nation," said Mr Teo in his speech to guests at the Blessings-To-All Day (BTA).
He noted how mosques have "gone beyond just providing for the religious needs of the Muslim residents, to reaching out to other residents in their neighbourhoods" by collaborating with organisations such as the Community Development Councils.
The BTA Day, held in conjunction with the Racial and Religious Harmony Month, was marked for the first time last year.
On Sunday, Mr Paiman Supangat, chairman of the BTA Day committee, also invited members of the public-individuals and groups keen on community bonding projects to apply for funding from the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation. The foundation initiated by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) was launched earlier this month, and project grants will range between S$2,000 and S$20,000.
A community outreach scheme called Befriender's Scheme @ MacPherson was also officially launched. In operation since last year, volunteers from the Wak Tanjong and Sallim Mattar mosques visit needy MacPherson households. Among other things, this scheme makes it easier for needy residents to renew the financial assistance received.
Where previously residents had to approach MUIS after approaching the mosque, the Befrienders can now prepare assistance applications to MUIS for them, Mr Zulkifli Sarmani, office manager of Sallim Mattar Mosque, said.
"For older folk, we try to extend financial assistance for just six months, to visit them more often," said Mr Zulkifli, whose mosque has 17 active Befrienders reaching out to 180 clients. "We're trying to recruit more volunteers so we can see them once a month."
Singapore's diverse, multi-racial society is a strength
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean speaks of Singapore's multi-religious and secular society as a strength. He noted that, through daily interactions with people of different races and faiths at schools, workplaces and housing estates, the people of Singapore live, work and play as one nation.
