Volunteers in Singapore help Muslim neighbors during prayer gathering
August 20, 2019
Singapore
Last week Shinnyo-en’s temple in Singapore made headlines for volunteering as traffic marshals during prayers at the neighboring Abdul Razak Mosque on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha celebration. In recent years more congregants have been coming to the mosque, and due to a lack of space, they would often end up praying by the pavement or on the road which raised concerns about safety. This year, the mosque obtained permission for a partial road closure. Shinnyo-en offered volunteers to man the roadblock.
“We were so happy about that,” said Secretary of the Abdul Razak Mosque, Mr. Syed, adding that they never thought that people from other communities would be willing to help.
Ms. Tan Pia Tiang, manager of the Shinnyo-en temple in Singapore said, “Singapore is a religiously diverse country with many commonalities, one of them being prayer. We understand how important this [celebration] is to our Muslim friends, and wanted to volunteer to help so they did not have to forgo that”.
This act of service to others, irrespective of background or faith traditions, embodies the Shinnyo members’ dedication to be of service to the community and Shinnyo-en’s commitment to interfaith cooperation and action. It shows that even in a metropolis like Singapore neighbors helping neighbors is what matters.
View more news and events
A Shinnyo Perspective on Mindful Parenting
Shinnyo priest Qalvy Grainzvolt joins fellow Buddhist teachers to integrate dharma practice into the work of parenting.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi Observes 25th Anniversary on Oahu
Tens of thousands gathered at Ala Moana Beach to participate in the 25th Anniversary Memorial Day event organized by Shinnyo-en.
Her Holiness Shinso Ito speaks to the Shinnyo-en community in earthquake-struck Ishikawa Prefecture
Her Holiness Shinso Ito paid a special visit to Hokuriku Head Temple in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture to offer words of gratitude, admiration, and encouragement to the community following the January 1st earthquake. Her remarks to Shinnyo-en leaders from regions affected by the earthquake and tsunami are shared below.
Shinnyo-en contributes to relief efforts for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
Shinnyo-en has contributed monetary and volunteer resources in response to the January 1st earthquake that severely damaged buildings and displaced many in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Her Holiness’ inspirational message for 2024
Her Holiness Shinso Ito offers spiritual guidance for the coming Year of the Dragon, 2024
Shinnyo-en Contributes to Preservation of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Representatives attended ceremonies to mark the completion of a restoration project at Angkor Wat, which Shinnyo-en has supported since 1996.
Cultivating Unwavering Regard for Others in the Face of Conflict
Her Holiness encourages the practice of positive regard for others in the face of conflict and urges us to practice it unconditionally.
Shinnyo-en and Nā Lei Aloha Foundation offer donation to Maui United Way
Shinnyo-en and Nā Lei Aloha Foundation made a donation of US$100,000 to Maui United Way in response to the wildfires that devastated the community of Lahaina.
Shinnyo-en Lanka Preschool hosts 32nd annual blood drive
A Sri Lankan preschool operated by Shinnyo-en successfully organized their 32nd annual blood donation campaign.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi returned to Ala Moana Beach for its 25th year
Tens of thousands gathered at Ala Moana Beach to participate in the 25th annual Memorial Day event organized by Shinnyo‑en.
Donation of 20 million yen toward emergency earthquake relief in Turkey
In response to the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, the Shinnyo‑en community offers significant monetary donations toward relief efforts.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i 2022 offers “space to heal”
For a third year, a limited Shinnyo Lantern Floating is held due to COVID pandemic; Her Holiness addresses attendees live from Tokyo.
Prestigious Sri Lankan university awards honorary doctorate to Her Holiness
Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka recognizes Her Holiness’ lifelong commitment to educating underserved children with honorary PhD.
Her Holiness Shinso Ito conducts rites for peace in Ukraine crisis
Her Holiness publicly states her wish that the conflict in Ukraine will swiftly end and Shinnyo-en makes a substantial offering for humanitarian aid.
Shinnyo-en joins global COVID-19 response
Shinnyo-en has made substantial donations to the UN, to Ecuador, and to community service programs in Hawaii in response to the COVID outbreak.
Our human challenge
In the wake of protests following the murder of George Floyd, Shinnyo-en issues a statement regarding racism and the harm it brings to society.
Head of Shinnyo-en shares message in response to Novel Coronavirus outbreak
Her Holiness Shinso Ito offers words of encouragement and advice for spiritual practice in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Shinnyo-en offers donations to Australian bushfire relief efforts
Shinnyo-en has joined other international organizations to offer funds to agencies responding to continent-wide bushfires.
Shinnyo-en supports recovery efforts after Typhoon Hagibis
Shinnyo-en joins efforts following the largest and strongest typhoon in the history of meteorological records in the country.