Over $166,000 in donations raised for Gaza by Malay/Muslim community

SINGAPORE – M³@Towns, a volunteering platform for the Malay/Muslim community, has raised an initial $166,200 in aid for Gaza.

The amount was raised across 11 towns in a large-scale fund-raising event that began on Feb 24 and was organised in collaboration with the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF).

The project, which will end on April 6, 2025, hopes to raise $600,000 for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, launched the fund-raising event, M³ in SG60 Action: Connecting, Collaborating and Caring – Aid for Gaza, on March 1 at Bazaar Raya, the yearly Ramadan bazaar, at Wisma Geylang Serai.

Mr Masagos and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman greeted the donors, who dropped their cheques into a clear plastic box onstage.

“I’m very glad that as fellow humans we all share their (Palestinians’) grief,” said Mr Masagos at the launch, which was attended by representatives of businesses and Malay/Muslim organisations, including various Malay/Muslim MPs.

“Yet amidst this tragedy, we have witnessed something truly remarkable... and that is Singaporeans from all walks of life came together, united by empathy, compassion and a shared determination to help.” 

The early contributors to the fund-raiser come from a diverse group such as a hospital; food and beverage, home renovation and travel and tour businesses; temples and individual donors.

Mr Azuan Tan, chairman of M³@Pasir Ris-Punggol, said he was heartened to see non-Muslims supporting the donation drive.

He said: “It says a lot. I feel it is not just about sending relief. It is sending a message of hope... we all understand the plight from the challenges that many people are facing, we want to be able to contribute.”

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas,

who have been at war since October 2023,

agreed to a six-week ceasefire in January.

RLAF is working with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Egyptian Red Crescent and local organisation Humanity Matters. It is also coordinating fund-raising activities with M³@Towns, which is participating as part of its SG60 community initiative.

Among the individual donors was Mr Abdu Qayyim Isa, who gave a cheque for $10,000.

Mr Abdu Qayyim, 40, the director of an insurance company, told The Straits Times: “The recent ceasefire has given me the opportunity to amplify my support to the initiative by M³. This will show that the funds contributed are channelled properly and directly to the people of Gaza.”

Since October 2023, Singaporeans have contributed to seven tranches of humanitarian aid totaling over $19 million.

Mr Masagos said what matters most is that material aid such as food, medicine and essential supplies can be delivered to the Palestinians.

“As we enter the season of Ramadan, I encourage all Singaporeans, particularly our Muslim community, to continue the spirit of giving,” he added. “Every donation, big or small, translates into life-saving aid.” 

The situation in Gaza remains dire, said Dr Maliki, who has visited the Middle East to disburse aid donated by Singaporeans.

He had spoken at a ceremony in Amman, Jordan, on Jan 21, 2025, to mark the handover of $1.3 million in humanitarian support for Gaza to aid agencies in Jordan.

“Singaporeans are affected by what they see,” Dr Maliki told ST. “They feel the pain and suffering of the civilians there, and they want to do more. And so when we go, they want to understand, what more can we do?”

Among the priorities are the immediate needs of the people in Gaza, as well as the subsequent rebuilding efforts. What is equally important is for lasting peace to exist, said Dr Maliki.

Members of the public can make their donations at booth 364 at Bazaar Raya. Only digital payments, such as PayNow and bank transfer, and cheques are accepted.