Chief Rabbi of Singapore, Rabbi Mordechai Abergel, representing the Singapore Jewish community and the Jewish Welfare Board said, “We felt the need to come together with the Muslim community and affirm our long standing ties, our commonality and shared values. We join many other Jewish communities throughout the world who stand for togetherness and unity between our two faiths in the face of distrust and conflict. We believe Singapore’s model of unity in diversity is unique in its kind and can serve as an example to emulate in other societies.”
Mr Ben J Benjamin, President of IRO commented, “We are grateful to the Singapore Jewish community for hosting this interfaith iftar and facilitating this wonderful evening of friendship. This is truly the Singapore way. Wishing all our Muslim friends and celebrants a Selamat Hari Raya.”
Nominated Member of Parliament and Founder of Roses of Peace Mr Mohamed Irshad said “The interfaith iftar hosted by the Jewish community in Singapore is a beautiful reflection of friendship and the inter-religious harmony we have in Singapore. We should cherish these bonds and strive to imbue values of peace, tolerance and appreciation in our young.”
ABOUT JEWISH WELFARE BOARD
The Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was established in 1946 to oversee and manage the Singapore Jewish community’s affairs. JWB’s founding President was David Marshall, Singapore’s first Chief Minister. Today the JWB continues to spearhead Jewish life and institutions in Singapore. Among others, the JWB operates Singapore’s oldest Synagogue, Maghain Aboth Synagogue (1878); the Jacob Ballas community centre and Ohel Jacob Synagogue; and the only Jewish burial ground in Southeast Asia. The office of the Chief Rabbi of Singapore is organised under the auspices of the JWB. Rabbi Mordechai Abergel is the long-standing Chief Rabbi of Singapore (1994 – current ). Victor Sassoon is the current President of the JWB (2009 – ).
ABOUT INTER-RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION, SINGAPORE (IRO)
Founded in 1949, the IRO is society and charity that promotes fellowship among religious leaders and interfaith cooperation among people. In the last 70 years, IRO has been an integral part of religious harmony in Singapore, fostering understanding and friendship among followers of major religions in Singapore; Hindu, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Taoist, Jain, Christian, Islam, Sikh and Baha’i. The IRO practices the conducting of interfaith prayers, interfaith literacy and dialogues.
ABOUT ROSES OF PEACE
Initiated in 2012, Roses of Peace (ROP) is a ground up youth-driven initiative that seeks to bridge the gap in interfaith discourse by connecting faith, service and diversity to empower youth to be inspired change leaders and ambassadors of peace. Too often in our world today, religion is seen as a barrier of division. Our forefathers have worked hard to maintain religious harmony amidst its diversity in Singapore. ROP recognises the need to continue this good work and contribute to the advancement of a harmonious society. We believe that diversity of faith can be a source of strength and a bridge of cooperation for youth – especially in the context of multi-religious, multi-racial and multi-cultural Singapore by fostering interfaith cooperation for the common good. Visit www.rosesofpeace.com for more information.
ABOUT INTER-RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION SINGAPORE
The Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore (IRO) was founded in 1949 with the objective to promote inter-religious harmony among the various religious groups in Singapore.
Ten (10) religions are represented in the IRO; Hindu, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Taoist, Jain, Christian, Islam, Sikh and Baha’i. A unique rotating annual presidency among the ten religions ensures that all member religions are given an equal opportunity to lead the IRO’s long-term efforts. For more information visit www.iro.sg
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Nazhath Faheema
General Manager
faheema@iro.sg