The spread included beriani, spiced chicken and vegetable dalcha.

Mindful that many guests would be old or have special dietary requirements, the volunteers from various mosques prepared dishes with less coconut milk, fat and oil, and readied mee goreng and porridge for vegetarians.

Toa Payoh resident Wong Wai Yap, 80, beamed as he tucked into a plate of beriani, saying: 'Shiok! I haven't had this for some time.'

He was among those at the inaugural 'Blessings to All Day', an initiative by the chairmen of the 69 mosques here to underline the importance of building ties and sharing what one has with others, regardless of race or religion.

But the mosque leaders' work in this area began several years ago, not long after the December 2004 tsunami.

Spurred by the spontaneous show of compassion from worshippers in raising $550,000 for tsunami victims, at that time, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and mosque heads set up a Blessings to All committee to help in humanitarian efforts.

To date, it has raised $1.3 million for disaster victims in South Asia, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sichuan, China.

There are also plans to help youth volunteers do humanitarian work abroad.

The committee also encourages mosques to make a difference to others in their neighbourhoods. Some mosques now run projects like soup kitchens and beach clean-ups.

Yesterday, the committee presented a $129,000 cheque to Mercy Relief for survivors of this year's cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in China.

North West District Mayor Teo Ho Pin also presented $10,000 from the Bukit Panjang People's Action Party Community Foundation to Al-Iman's Blessed Kitchen project for needy residents.

Said Al-Iman chairman Paiman Supangat, who heads the Blessings to All committee: 'We hope that through these activities, the wider community will gain an understanding of Islam as a religion of peace and compassion.'

Lunch guests were treated to musical performances, a magic show and received goodie bags with food items.

The event also saw a blood donation drive - part of the committee's goal to rope in 3,500 donors this year.

Praising their efforts was Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who thanked the volunteers for organising a successful and meaningful event.

'Keep up the good work, to be good Muslims, good citizens, good neighbours!' he wrote in a note at the mosque, alongside comments from other well-wishers, who included representatives of major religions in Singapore.

Said Mr R. Bawajee of the Hindu Advisory Board: 'The promotion of sharing among communities facilitates inter-faith harmony.'

zakirh@sph.com.sg