Mosques join in spreading CNY cheer
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Visitors gathering to take pictures of the lanterns at the River Hongbao 2018. This is the 32nd edition of the annual event.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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Distributing oranges and canned drinks and putting up banners are some of the ways that mosques here are spreading Chinese New Year cheer.
Their goodwill follows a call last year from Singapore's top Islamic scholar - the Mufti - to rally the community to continue doing good deeds, build relations and to maintain peace for future generations.
"Mosques in Singapore have long been institutions that promote inclusive understanding," the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said yesterday.
A spokesman said that Chinese New Year, which falls tomorrow, is a "momentous occasion filled with rich cultural significance" for the nation's multicultural society, not just the Chinese community.
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Masjid Khalid in Joo Chiat is continuing its annual practice of distributing oranges, canned drinks and greeting cards to Chinese business owners and residents in the area.
Sixty elderly and less-privileged households in Bukit Batok also received bags containing rice and other groceries from Masjid Ar-Raudhah.
Meanwhile, Masjid Darul Ghufran in Tampines, and Masjid An-Nahdhah and Harmony Centre, both in Bishan, have put up banners to wish the community a happy Chinese New Year. The Harmony Centre will also be sending oranges and greeting cards to leaders from the Buddhist Fellowship, and Buddhist and Taoist federations.
