Mr Samet Samedi

President, Singapore-Turkey Business Association

Mr Sadik Yiidiz

Representative, Zaman Media Education and Financial Institutions

Mr Selvam Satanam

President, Inter-Religious Organisation

I would like to thank the Singapore-Turkey Business Association and Zaman Daily News for inviting me to tonight’s Iftar Dinner.

Ramadan is the month of rahmat and affection. To Muslims, Ramadan brings to mind Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and emancipation from the fires of hell. Whosoever lessens the burden of His servants (bondsmen) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fires of hell.

Allah berfirman that "The reward for fasting, I Myself will give, because it is for Me alone." And in Ahadeeth: "If my ummah would realise what Ramadan really is, they would wish that the whole year should just be Ramadan.

The atmosphere of tolerance and understanding in this function room is actually an atmosphere we need in every country in the world. In his later years in Medinah, the Prophet managed to galvanise the 3 communities: Jews, Christians and Muslims. We must re-create this atmosphere as a challenge for the next century (Ref: TIME magazine – Challenges: Leadership, IT, Globalisation, Ethnicity, Fundamentalism and Environment).

This kind of function should be encouraged. Turkey has a lot to offer with her vast history of Islam. And through functions like this and others, independent and private bodies also could help different countries, nations, cultures and religions be closer to each other, and know each other better. There must exist in us sympathy for the unfortunate. Many organisations have been kind enough to extend their helping hand to the unfortunate, including the Tabung Amal Aidilfitri.

Once again I wish to express my appreciation for being invited tonight. May you have a pleasant Iftar Dinner and may our good deeds please Him. Thank you.