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Ridjal Noor: Why Malay/Muslim Community Largely Apathetic Over Ramadan Bazaar Issue?

The first question:
Why are some quarters in the community so busy defending the issue of the bazaar Ramadan? Every day campaigning and raising questions, and brainstorming for solutions.

Because they are trying to preserve the quality and feel and integrity of this yearly bazaar that’s special and unique to the community.

The second question:
But if the community feels so strongly against what’s happening today, then just vote with your spending dollar lah, right? Don’t spend there and the organisers will learn their lesson and learn to respect the laws of the land, correct? People power and all that, right?

Unfortunately, no. This is the hardest of change to bring about.

This is why only some quarters are campaigning. The rest are still happily, blissfully ignorantly heading down and voting with their dollars that they don’t care. The herds and their mentality. Sometimes it seems, you just can’t save the community from itself.

They accept the erosion of values over time without batting an eyelid. They only stop to make viral make viral certain issues. Other than that they steamroll over every bump in the road and move on undeterred, uncaring for the issues dear at heart to the community at large.

So I agree with Sadali Ami. The community gets the leaders it deserves. And you can’t save the community from itself.

“The greatest threat to the future is ignorance and apathy.” – Jane Goodall

Source: Ridjal Noor

June 10, 2017
Mohd Khair: Singaporeans Are Capable Of Living Together Respectfully, Beyond Mere Tolerance

it is very HEARTENING indeed when Non-Muslim Singaporeans demonstrate deep understanding and empathy on the issues surrounding the ambiguous halal status of bazaar at Geylang Serai organised in the month of Ramadhan.

Read the screenshots shared here in this album. They show genuine concern of Non-Muslim Singaporeans on the issue of non-halal status of some foodstalls at Geylang Serai Bazaar, organised in the month of Ramadhan.

Such demonstration of care and concern is a fine example of how diversity is celebrated in the multiracial and multireligious society of Singapore.

Underlying such expression of understanding and empathy is the value of RESPECT, going beyond tolerance. Such thinking also reflects maturity living harmoniously together. Together, regardless of race, language or religion, the multiracial and multireligious society of Singapore should move more in this direction in living harmoniously with one another.

This album is saved here on this HCRS group as it reflects deep halal discernment among Non-Muslim Singaporeans towards the basic dietery needs of the Muslim consumer. Such discernment is very highly appreciated by Muslims who care so deeply on matters pertaining to halal foods.

Source: Mohd Khair

June 10, 2017
Bazaar Ramadan Controversy Unnecessary, More Transparency Needed From PAP MP

Yang Berhormat Ahli Parliament Geylang Serai

Call the Ramadan Bazaar at Geylang Serai by any name, it doesn’t matter. Few will also object if you want to open it to those who want to sell non-halal food.

But do be upfront. Be transparent and please inform the public so as to avoid confusion and creating a controversy. An unnecessary one too, that should be best avoided especially in the month of Ramadan.

Most of us including myself have always thought that the Bazaar which coincides with Ramadan only sell halal food; so try to appreciate how upsetting it could be when we discover otherwise.

To matter matters worse, you seem to be taking the high moral ground and trying to pin the blame on us insinuating that we are against inclusiveness.

We can assure you that we are all for inclusiveness and multiracialism and have no objection to change the nature of the bazaar to include sale of non-halal food.

But don’t do it surreptitiously.

My regrets for speaking so plainly in the month of Ramadan.

Source: Ismail Kassim

June 10, 2017
Wedding Bells Robbed Local Football Fans Opportunity For Messi Appearance In Singapore

Local football fans fume as reports claim Argentina captain and Otamendi will miss Singapore game.

Instead of wowing the National Stadium next Tuesday with his intricate touches, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is likely to be back in his home country, dealing with the intricacies of wedding planning.

Yesterday, reports surfacing from Argentina and Australia, where Argentina play Brazil in a friendly tonight, stated that the Barcelona playmaker and Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi will miss the friendly match against Singapore next week.

According to the reports, they are allowed to fly home to plan for their respective weddings.

“Otamendi and Messi are allowed to travel (home) after the game because the two of them are getting married,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said in yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

Separately, The Clarin, Argentina’s biggest daily newspaper, reported yesterday that Messi’s absence in Singapore was “an open secret”, and that he wanted to be with his loved ones as he finalises preparations for his June 30 wedding to Antonella Roccuzzo, the mother of his two sons Thiago and Mateo.

Also, Otamendi is set to get married on June 16, and thus is given permission to miss the Singapore tie.

In a joint statement yesterday, the Football Association of Singapore and match promoter Unicess said they were aware of the reports concerning the Argentine duo’s impending plans.

The statement read: “We are currently working with the Argentinian FA to determine the authenticity of the claims made in these reports and will provide an update as soon as we are able to.”

Local fans reacted with disappointment at the news yesterday, with some asking if the organisers would consider refunds.

Tickets for the Singapore-Argentina match cost between $40 and $188, with some sections of the 55,000-seater National Stadium already sold out.

Netizen Clemence Chia said: “I hope organisers would be gentlemanly enough to allow refunds for those who bought tickets because of Messi.”

Thomas Hoon added: “I kind of expected it as these trips are generally for second-string players trying to prove themselves.

“I am sure this was known to the organisers beforehand; Messi just woke up in the morning and say ‘I (am) getting married?’”

Source: http://www.tnp.sg/

June 9, 2017
Man Seeks Witnesses After Being Gashed By Turkish Ice Cream Seller At Geylang Serai Bazaar

A man who suffered a 4cm-long wound after a stunt by a Turkish ice cream seller at Geylang Serai Bazaar allegedly went awry is looking for videos of the incident to support his claims for compensation.

Mr Derick Chow, a 26-year-old business development manager, told The Straits Times on Thursday (June 8) that he was at the bazaar with his girlfriend on Friday (June 2) night when the accident happened.

“At about 11pm, after walking around, I decided to get an ice cream from the Turkish stall,” he said. “My girlfriend was standing on my left side and after paying for the ice cream, they did the demonstration.”

Turkish ice cream, or dondurma, is typically served with the vendor twisting the confection around a long-handled metal stick and teasing the customer by repeatedly snatching it out of his reach.

Mr Chow said the vendor first tried to “prank” his girlfriend before turning to him. He said the vendor was waving his stick in front of him, and as he was about to take the ice cream cone from him, he was injured by the stick and suffered a 4cm-long gash.

He said he took a taxi to Raffles Hospital and received 20 stitches for the wound on his forehead, which was “quite deep” and cost him more than $4,000 in medical bills.

Mr Chow said he wanted to get the money back from the ice cream stall’s insurance, but is still in talks with the stall owner.

He said the owner asked for video evidence, and he has appealed to social media users for it, as some people were taking videos when the incident happened.

The Straits Times has reached out to the stall owner for more information.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, police confirmed a report was lodged over the incident.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/

June 9, 2017