Senior Minister Shanmugaratnam addressed numerous topics with great humility and respect, including how Muslim youths feel today. The dialogue was highly engaging and discussed how meritocracy could reduce inequality, ensuring inter-ethnic engagement in schools, promoting a healthy competitive environment as well as encouraging academic growth in 'unengaged' students. He also responded to a wide range of questions and comments from the youthful audience, including Singapore Ismaili youths.
“SM Shanmugaratnam was generous with his time and thoughts. It was a memorable up and close personal experience with an influential leader who is well recognised on the international stage,” said Iliyan Allana.
The Ismaili Muslim Community of Singapore has had an enduring collaboration with 4PM. Since 2013, the Ismaili Community has supported its Ramadan on Wheels initiative, including volunteering for its unique Cookies For Our Community event in 2019. Last year, the community raised funds to support more than 300 families with essentials to celebrate Eid. Dr Mustafa also hosted Ismaili Muslim representatives in the South Asian Diaspora Convention, organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies and held at the National University of Singapore.
Through volunteerism, civic engagement, and collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations, most notably 4PM, the Singapore diaspora looks to forge closer ties of understanding to build a more inclusive Ummah and strengthen the multicultural fabric of Singapore.
SM Shanmugaratnam highlighted the significance of effective dialogue in building bridges across diverse frontiers and combating a clash of ignorance by offering multiple pathways towards resolving conflict.
The dialogue was moderated by Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, who has volunteered with 4PM for 25 years. He is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the National University of Singapore (NUS). “It is always a pleasure to have members of the highly-respected Ismaili community in Singapore in our midst. They have been doing fantastic work on interethnic, intercultural and interfaith engagement in Singapore for decades, with the history of the community dating back to the late 19th century/early 20th century. The community here, which has a good mix of adults and youths, has helped uplift underprivileged Malay/Muslim families in Singapore. Besides Singapore, the community has diasporas in many other parts of the world, and are known for their philanthropy, diligence and humility,” said Dr Mustafa.
