President breaks fast at kampung mosque

President Tony Tan Keng Yam joined 120 Muslims at the Petempatan Melayu Sembawang Mosque to break fast on Friday night.

It was Dr Tan's first visit there as the President, although he had visited it many times as a Sembawang GRC MP.

The mosque, which was built in the early 1960s with funds donated by Malay residents, Chinese and Indian shopkeepers and the Lee Foundation, is Singapore's last kampung mosque.

Also present were Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim, Sembawang GRC MP Hawazi Daipi, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) president Alami Musa and Muis secretary Abdul Razak Maricar.

Dr Tan gave five needy families $100 hampers each, consisting of Hari Raya goodies and basic food items like rice and oil.

And in a separate event, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim visited a Geylang Serai Bazaar recruitment booth which encourages smokers to kick the habit.

Those who sign up at these Health Promotion Board booths begin a challenge to stay smoke-free for 28 days - so that they become five times more likely to quit for good.

Smoking is discouraged during Ramadan when observing the fast.


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