After a day of fasting, the male Muslims moved to a well-maintained multi-purpose classroom to perform the Maghrib prayer, led by an imam. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Around 5 p.m., the setting sun gilded the treetops along the pond in Yishun Park. 104 Tzu Chi volunteers and staff were busy preparing to ensure warm meals would be delivered to the families they cared for at sunset, marking the end of the day’s fast.
On 14 March 2026, the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre (HYC) welcomed a group of special guests. 107 Muslim care recipients and their families entered the hall with bright smiles and eager anticipation. The event named “Blessings of Ramadan”, which transcends race and faith and features prayers for world peace and harmony, was held under the theme “Warm Ramadan, Breaking Fast Together.”
Outside the hall, volunteers set up an interactive Ramadan Good-Deeds Exhibition, encouraging families to make pledges to perform good deeds before Eid al-Fitr. The “Returning of Bamboo Bank” area gathered the donations from the public to support those in need, while the family photo area was also a favourite, with families beaming as they captured joyful moments together.
-
Care recipients with mobility issues were transported to the venue by caring volunteers. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong) -
A “Bamboo Bank Returning Home” donation zone was set up at the venue to collect the public’s small acts of kindness in support of those in need. (Photo by Yeo Chee Hwang) -
The most beautiful family portrait during the festive season is a heartwarming image of a family smiling and leaning on one another. (Photo by Tay Zhi Ming) -
Volunteers greeted the families they cared for with a sign language song, conveying warmth through their attentive eyes and graceful gestures on stage. (Photo by Yeo Chee Hwang)
We will always be by your side
At one corner of the hall, Sakdon, a care recipient, sat quietly in a wheelchair. He has been bedridden for eight years due to Parkinson's disease. His wife, Triernisah, stayed by his side, glancing down at him from time to time. Having married and moved to Singapore from Indonesia, she has no relatives or friends here. She said, “He was very good to me before he fell ill and always took care of my family in Indonesia.” So, when Sakdon became ill, she resolutely decided to care for him herself.
Triernisah (right) insisted on bringing her long-term bedridden husband, Sakdon (centre), to the festive gathering. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
As Sakdon has been bedridden for many years, she rarely has the chance to go out. Taking advantage of this event, Triernisah insisted on bringing Sakdon out for a walk. Recalling on the hardships she has endured, she couldn’t help but choke up, saying, “I’m all alone here, with no relatives or friends. Tzu Chi volunteers are my support.”
She still remembers what a volunteer told her: “Don’t ever think that you’re alone. We, the Tzu Chi volunteers will always be by your side.” These words deeply touched her and gave her more courage to face life.
To them, Tzu Chi volunteers feel like family
Siti appeared somewhat frail amid the crowd. Having just been discharged from the hospital, she came straight to the event venue with her youngest son.
Although Siti is still recovering, she always wears a smile on her face. She said softly, “I cherish being able to celebrate Ramadan with so many Muslims and feel like part of the family (Tzu Chi).” Her biggest wish right now is to celebrate Hari Raya with her family.
Volunteer Joel Low added that Siti suffers from kidney disease and is quite frail, requiring frequent hospital visits. “We call her regularly to check on her, to see how she’s doing, and to make sure she’s safe and well.” Currently, Siti lives with her youngest son, and thankfully, he is very considerate and sensible. Previously, he was one of the recipients of the Tzu Chi Seeds of Hope Merit Awards.
Nurhasni, another care recipient, also considers Tzu Chi volunteers as family. She described the volunteers’ companionship and support as “a gift from God and unconditional love.”
She recalled, “Four years ago was the most confusing and helpless time of my life. I suffered domestic violence from my ex-husband, which caused me to suffer from depression, and my three young children were also severely traumatised. The volunteers not only provided living allowances but also accompanied me and my children through the pain.”
“I am incredibly happy now. Not only have I found a partner who will take care of me and my children, but I have also realized my dream of owning a public housing flat. These are things I hadn’t dared to hope for a long time.” As she said this, her eyes welled up with tears.
Nurhasni (centre) posing for a photo with her husband and eldest daughter, smiling warmly. (Photo by Yeo Chee Hwang)
Volunteer Teoh Ai Ping recalled that when she took over the case, she could deeply feel the hardship the family was going through. “At that time, we provided financial assistance and accompanied her as she emerged from the darkest period of her life. At the same time, we helped her rebuild her connection with her children and protect their mental wellbeing.”
Teoh Ai Ping further shared, “I remember when her eldest daughter was preparing for her PSLE, we helped to engage a tutor for her and even gave her assessment books and stationery vouchers, hoping she could focus on her exams.” Now, that little girl has grown into a beautiful young woman and still maintains close contact with the volunteers. This strong bond continues to this day.
Reciting Prayers, Breaking Fast, and Performing the Maghrib Prayer
The night was quiet, but the lights at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre were still on. From Sakdon, who has been bedridden for eight years, to Siti, who came straight from the hospital, and Nurhasni, who has been given a new lease on life, everyone here has become part of a larger family.
For this Ramadan Festive Gathering, Tzu Chi specially invited Haji Ahmadini Bin Amir, a religious teacher who has been engaged in teaching and community service for more than 30 years, to lead everyone in prayer.
Haji Ahmadini Bin Amir pointed out that Ramadan is not just a month of fasting but also a good time to deepen one’s understanding of the Quran, deepen one’s prayer and worship, and seek God’s blessings. Muslims should restrain their appetites during Ramadan and avoid overeating, especially when buying food at Ramadan bazaars. This not only shows respect for food but also aligns with the lifestyle advocated by Islam.
In addition to behavioral restraint, Haji Ahmadini Bin Amir also emphasised the importance of inner purity. He urged fellow Muslims to not only avoid physical transgressions but also remain vigilant against evil thoughts and inappropriate ideas in order to truly realise the meaning of inner cultivation during Ramadan.
Haji Ahmadini Bin Amir leading fellow Muslims in prayer. (Photo by Tay Zhi Ming)
“Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society where people live in harmony. As Muslims, we should respect other religions and pray together for social peace and harmony. Especially during Ramadan, we should purify our hearts, unite as one family, and give thanks and respect to one another.” His words added warmth and depth that transcended religion to the event.
At 7:18 p.m., the evening’s most anticipated moment arrived. After hearing Haji Ahmadini Bin Amir’s sharing about Ramadan, as the sun set, it was time to break the fast. The participants, who had been sitting upright, softly chanted prayers, then picked up the warm water on the table and took a small sip.
The successful completion of this brief five-minute breaking-of-the-fast ritual brought smiles to the many faces of those awaiting volunteers. Afterwards, Muslim men and women performed Maghrib prayers in the multi-purpose classroom and prayer hall respectively, kneeling in devout prayer.
After the prayers, when they re-entered the hall, they were greeted by a delicious vegetarian feast. The surprise and emotion they felt at that moment transformed into waves of gratitude throughout the hall.
Care recipients and their families broke their fast together and enjoyed a vegetarian dinner, while volunteers thoughtfully presented them with gift bags and extended festive blessings. (Photo by Yeo Chee Hwang)
Behind Every Detail Lies Respect for Others
In past Hari Raya celebrations, many Muslim care recipients were busy visiting relatives and friends during the festive season and often couldn’t attend Tzu Chi’s blessing ceremony or had to cancel at the last minute.
Main Event Coordinator Chew Lai Soon said, “In order to make the care recipients feel more at ease in participating in the activities, we made a new attempt this year and rescheduled the festive gathering event, which was originally scheduled on Hari Raya, to be held during Ramadan instead.”
Volunteers prepared gifts for the attendees, conveying care and blessings. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
“Because this is the first time we’ve held this event, the preparation process has been quite challenging,” Chew Lai Soon admitted. “To ensure the breaking of the fast and prayer sessions proceeded smoothly and according to protocol, we consulted religious leaders and fellow Muslims to understand the procedures and etiquette, in order to prepare prayer rugs and arrange for ablution spaces. From the procedures to the arrangements, every detail was discussed repeatedly, hoping to express our respect through the most thoughtful preparations and make everyone feel warm and cared for.”
In addition, since the blessing ceremony was moved from Jing Si Hall to the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre this year, all bowls, plates, utensils, and tableware were transported to the event site with the help of the transportation team. After the event, volunteers immediately cleaned and wiped the dishes before returning them to Jing Si Hall. Despite the tedious preparations, the volunteers performed the tasks with joy in their hearts.
In Singapore, a land of diverse races and religions, Tzu Chi volunteers, with their meticulous respect and empathy, have enabled the spirit of mutual benefit and companionship to take root. When 107 Muslim care recipients broke their fast, prayed, and gave thanks together, they not only witnessed warmth that transcends faith but also confirmed that peace begins with understanding, and harmony is achieved through mutual benefit.
Share 
