29 November 2013 - In a solemn expression of solidarity with the Philippines, representatives of religious denominations in Singapore gathered on November 25 at the headquarters of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Singapore to offer prayers and express support for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), according to a report by Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz.
The IRO, founded in 1949 to promote peace and religious harmony in the city-state, represents 10 religious denominations including Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism, Christian, Sikhism, and the Baha’i Faith.
The group’s activities, which include seminars to promote peace and religious harmony as well as joint prayers and events aimed to support various charity works, are guided by a 31-member council. The members are elected at the IRO’s Annual Assembly and serve for one year. Mr. Noor Mohamed Marican is the council’s current President.
In his remarks, Mr. Marican said that the event is a show of solidarity for the people who have to endure challenging conditions in the aftermath of the typhoon and also for those who are serving the needs of the survivors, giving them a glimmer of hope amidst the suffering. He added that the gesture comes with the hope that the survivors will have the strength to rebuild their lives and for more help to come in these difficult moments.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz profoundly thank the IRO for its show of support for the victims, noting that the suffering of those in the affected areas has been heart-wrenching. “What is amazing,” the Ambassador said, “was the magnitude of support that the Philippines has been getting from within and without, with people coming forward to offer help in different ways.”
She added that in addition to accounting the material support that is available, it is also a time to count how much is coming from the heart, the show of humanity and the show of love. She said that the collective response of the various denominations composing IRO shows how we are bonded together regardless of race and creed.
In his introduction prior to the silent prayer that followed, Imam Hasan Habib Al-Attas noted the resilience of the Filipino people, adding that the plight of the survivors is a test of human compassion. He prayed for the victims and also for humanitarian workers, who he said, are working to preserve the sanctity of humanity.
From a practical viewpoint, Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz emphasized that the more difficult phase would be the long-term recovery and the rebuilding of lives where sustained assistance is necessary, both for material needs and emotional solace.
In addition to organizing the inter-faith prayer, the IRO also pledged a donation amounting to US$15,000 for the typhoon victims. END