by Sharon Zheng Xuelun and Lee Zi Ning (River Valley High School), SG United Journalists
THEY were like roses among thorns.
The two ladies who received their appointment certificates as Chairpersons of the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) from Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, at the National IRCC Appointment Ceremony on 29 Mar, stood out among the group.
These two ladies have been contributing their valuable time and effort for the past years to promote inter-communal harmony and to build networks of trust regardless of race, language and religion within their communities. Like "wonder women", they took on multiple tasks, juggling between their roles as mothers, daughters, wives, employers or employees, and leaders of the IRCCs.
Despite having busy schedules, they have managed to strike a balance and performed their different duties well.
One of them is 48-year-old Mdm Sabara Umar. She is the Chairperson of both Sengkang West IRCC and Anchorvale Malay Activities Executive Committee. A working mother, she commits her weekends to grassroots activities and has been actively participating in events of different racial groups such as the celebration of the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival and the Hindu chariot processions.
"Time is not a problem, I try my best to distribute time well. My children are also involved in some forms of community service, I have encouraged them to do so," said Mdm Sabara.
Under her lead, the Sengkang West IRCC is cooperating with the Sengkang West Integrated New Citizen Comittee to help new immigrants and new citizens make Singapore their home. These two groups invite newcomers to Racial Harmony Day celebrations and National Day celebrations to help them integrate into Singapore's multi-racial and multi-cultural community.
Apart from actively participating in IRCC activities, the "IRCC wonder women" also helped spread the message of social harmony to their family and circle of friends. Ms Lim Sok Geok, a member of the Siglap (East Coast) IRCC, encouraged her family to take part in various IRCC activities, such as visits to temples, mosques, together with her.
A member of the Siglap (East Coast) IRCC, Ms Lim Sok Geok.
Alongside racial harmony fostering, IRCCs also focus on promoting the understanding of the different religious groups in Singapore, as mutual understanding and cooperation are essential factors of religious harmony.
Ms Susie Wong, 40, is a member of Radin Mas IRCC and a member of the Bahá'í Community of Singapore. One reason she joined the Radin Mas IRCC was to promote awareness of the Bahá'í Community of Singapore amongst followers of other religions, and by doing so help maintain the religious harmony enjoyed by Singaporeans.
Though there is increasing involvement of females in the IRCCs, their numbers lessen relative to their male counterparts when it comes to heading the IRCCs. Out of the 84 chairpersons, two are females. When speaking to the SG United news team, Ms Lim Sok Geok said she would be encouraging more ladies to join the IRCCs, while Mdm Sabara pointed out that she believed the involvement of females in the IRCCs will be higher in the future.
The sweet fruits of labour provided satisfaction that drove the ladies to continuously help mould Singapore into a harmonious society. "Doing volunteer work gives one satisfaction and fulfilment, and makes one's life more meaningful," said Ms Lim.
