Muslim sisters and brothers in the Labour Movement have spent an entire month fasting.
And tomorrow, 5 June 2019, is when they celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Of course, many in Singapore refer to this holiday as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
For those who aren’t sure, Ramadan is the month in the Islamic calendar where Muslims all over the world observe the fast. This means they abstain from food and drink, among many other things, from sunrise to sunset.
Despite not eating or drinking for most of their days, many of our sisters and brothers didn’t let that get in the way of their work, and they continued to contribute to the best of their abilities.
Buka Puasa – that’s the phrase for breaking fast at sunset in Malay. And if you hear the Arabic word Iftar being said a lot, well, it basically means breaking fast too, just in a different language.
In a show of support to our Muslim workers, unions in the Labour Movement spent time with them in several Buka Puasa sessions over the last 30 days.
We’ve compiled a few photos from these sessions:
Some relief after a long day at work: NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng (in red, middle) and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari (in red, far left) join the Building Construction And Timber Industries Employees Union and Cleaning Express to break fast with 60 cleaners.
In line with the spirit of giving during the fasting month, some 166 children from low-income families received new traditional costumes in time for Hari Raya.
Muslim workers at Singapore Press Holdings break fast together with the Creative Media and Publishing Union.
Hosting and entertaining are the livelihoods for many of the workers at Resorts World Sentosa, but just for a day, they were hosted and entertained by our labour chief and the Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union.
Not many can sit comfortably crossed-legged on the floor to eat, but SG Ng Chee Meng (in green) and Singapore Port Workers Union reps manage to do it at a Buka Puasa event over at PSA Marine.
Some 150 healthcare staff from the National University Health System (NUHS) gather to Buka Puasa with Senior Minister of State Amy Khor, NUHS management, and the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union.
NTUC President Mary Liew and SG Ng Chee Meng share an intimate break fast session with young union leaders from the Labour Movement.
Union leaders dress in traditional costumes to welcome the festive day – from left: BATU GS Noor Irdawaty Jammarudin, SMTU DGS Nurhazimah Abdul Halim, SMTU GT Mohd Jamaluddin Mohd Affandi, UPAGE GS Abdul Samad Bin Abdul Wahab, NTWU President Rosmani Juraini, SISEU GT Nur Rafidah Rosdi, NTUC ASG Zainal Sapari, NTUC SG Ng Chee Meng (seated), AREU President Hassan Abdullah, SISEU President Sazali Zainal.
Here’s to wishing all workers a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!
