A Warm Forum-Iftar that Heals
It was a warm afternoon on 3 Jun 2017 but everybody found a comfortable spot at the roof top of An-Nur Mosque in Woodlands, to hear the three eminent speakers Mr Tony (Saleh) O’ Dempsey, Ustazah Shameem Sultanah and Dr Radiah Salim speak on healing relationships. Mr Dempsey spoke on healing relationships with the environment, Ustazah Shameem spoke on healing relationship with Allah swt. And Dr Radiah spoke on healing relationships with human beings.
Mr O’ Dempsey spoke at great length on how the ecosystem is connected and how destroying some animals and plants in the ecosystem will affect the lives of human beings. Ustazah Shameem explained how near Allah is to us all the time and that we are not lacking in His love. Dr Radiah emphasised the importance of loving one another. She quoted a hadith,“You will not enter Paradise till you believe, and you will not believe till you love one another. Let me guide you to something by doing which you will love one another. Spread salam among you.” – Muslim
Co-organised by Club HEAL and An-Nur mosque, the event was graced by Club HEAL Patron and Speaker of Parliament, Dr Mdm Halimah Yacob, who commended the organisers for bringing people of different races and religions together in a meaningful event. In true blue kampong spirit, event partners – FiTree and Marsiling Zone 1 RC chipped in resources and manpower contributing to the success of the event. Closing the forum for iftar, participants were treated to a delicious spread of nasi mandhi, thanks to our generous sponsors – Singapore Halal Culinary Federation, Free Food For All Ltd, Amani Weddings, Knorr Singapore, Asyura Pte Ltd.
One participant’s observations of the event:
“I enjoyed the event tremendously as I had never attended an Iftar before. The theme of “Healing Relationships” is something that is much needed in our world today. It was enlightening to see it applied beyond the context of interpersonal relationships, especially in the context of the environment.
There were a few things that I felt were impactful.The first was during the talk by Mr O’ Dempsey when he demonstrated the impact of each person upon the environment without us being even remotely aware of it. Second, was during the Q&A session, Dr Radiah’s simple answer to a question that suggested apologising and making amends, and to keep doing so to rectify relationships. This idea of making amends and correcting situations is often inadequately addressed and overlooked.” – Ms Renay Pereira, CAL.