SINGAPORE - The stretch of Arab Street between North Bridge Road and Beach Road was closed off as around 1,000 attendees gathered for a mass iftar, or communal break-fast meal, on March 22.
It was part of the Gemilang Kampong Gelam 2025 Ramadan Bazaar, and guests included beneficiaries from non-profit organisations and Jalan Besar GRC.
This is the third year the communal break-fast meal has been held in the area.
In 2024, [over 1,500 people attended the event.](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/feasting-for-a-good-cause-at-kampong-glam)
Addressing attendees, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who was the guest of honour, said it was not common for people from different backgrounds, religions and races to celebrate the meaning of Ramadan and break fast together in this way.
He said: “In fact, it is very unique, and it’s something we should always cherish and protect here in Singapore, and always be that oasis of peace, stability and harmony, regardless of race, language or religion.”
Mr Wong also distributed goodie bags to the beneficiaries.
The goodie bag included refreshments, a green packet and a cash voucher.
Mrs Josephine Teo, who is the Minister for Digital Development and Information and who helms the People’s Action Party team in Jalan Besar GRC, was present.
Her fellow MPs in the GRC — Mr Heng Chee How, Ms Denise Phua and Dr Wan Rizal — also attended.
Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of National Development, was also at the event.
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Muslim calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Iftar is the evening meal that marks the end of the fasting day during this period.
Mr Zaki Ma’arof, Chairman of One Kampong Gelam, an association that aims to enliven and establish Kampong Glam as a vibrant cultural district, said: “Ramadan is a time of reflection, generosity, and togetherness. Through this mass iftar, our aim is to foster a spirit of inclusivity and bring people from all walks of life together in a meaningful way.”
Safety officer, Mr Abdillah Hashim, 43, his wife, Madam Nur Raisah, 39, who is a housewife, and four of their five children, were invited by the Muslim Handicap Society of Singapore to the event.
The family was surprised by the scale of the mass iftar.
The communal iftar is part of the Ramadan festivities in the Kampong Glam heritage precinct that runs till March 25. Among the activities is a food bazaar that features 80 food and beverage operators.
Since it opened on Feb 19, the bazaar has seen 900,000 visitors. It is open from 2pm till 11pm, other than Sunday, when it closes at 11.30pm.
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