Helping to Usher in Hari Raya

On April 23, 2022, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had the opportunity to serve the community in two projects: “Baju Raya Shopping” by the Sengkang Inter-Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) and “Blessings to All” by Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF). Both were organized in the lead up to the Muslim celebration of Hari Raya Puasa, which fell on May 3 and marks the end of their fasting month.

Sengkang IRCC’s “Baju Raya Shopping” saw 11 volunteers from Compassvale Ward of the Church accompany around 10 Muslim families as they prepared for Hari Raya Puasa. Mainly made up of youth, the volunteers travelled together with the families to Geylang Serai, one of the oldest Malay settlements in Singapore, to purchase new clothes in preparation for the upcoming festive season.

Sister Lynn Tan, Young Women President of the Compassvale Ward commented, “This service project is a rare opportunity for our Church youth to meet new friends of a different faith and learn more about the traditions of Hari Raya Puasa. It helps to connect people and promote racial harmony in our multi-faith society."

The Newton Ward of the Church participated in RLAF’s “Blessings to All” project on the same day. “Blessings to All” aims to distribute gift bags filled with supplies such as grocery vouchers and items for personal hygiene, protection, and healthcare to some 7,000 households to bring festive cheer to disadvantaged families and individuals. Nine members of the Newton Ward, together with Tasek Utara Mosque and RLAF got together to distribute the gift bags to 30 families. It was a joy being able to volunteer to help distribute the gift bags and being able to contribute to a large-scale service project.