Religious groups join hands to promote social cohesion through lifesaving efforts.
SINGAPORE – The sixth Interfaith Blood Donation Drive, held on 30 October 2024 at the Heart of God Church, drew a vibrant crowd of around 200 donors, many of whom were young individuals eager to make a difference.
Among the participants was 16-year-old Clare Leung, the youngest donor, who shared her enthusiasm about the event. “It’s inspiring to come together with people from different religions to save lives and strengthen our community,” said the Secondary 4 student from Anderson Secondary School.
Clare, a member of the non-denominational church, also met Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, who presented her with a gift pack and commended the initiative for fostering unity.
Building Bridges Through Blood Donation
The event was co-organized by Heart of God Church, Khalid Mosque, Geylang United Temple, and Chan Khoo Kong Huay clan association, with support from the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle, Singapore Red Cross, and Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre.
Since its inception in 2017, the drive has collected 250 litres of blood from 840 donors, potentially saving over 1,600 lives. By alternating event locations between places of worship, the initiative encourages youth to explore and appreciate different religions.
Minister Shanmugam emphasized the event’s significance, stating, “This shows that Singaporeans can work, donate, and come together, transcending race and religion to build a strong bond.”
A Carnival of Unity and Purpose
The atmosphere was lively and celebratory, with activities such as arcade games, satay stalls, and ice cream treats creating a carnival-like setting. These interactions allowed participants to connect informally, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding.
Senior Pastor Garrett Lee of Heart of God Church reflected, “When you donate blood next to someone, you realize that regardless of religion, we all bleed red. This unity strengthens our resilience against divisive ideologies.”
Khalid Mosque chairman Alla’udin Mohamed highlighted the initiative’s role in combating prejudices, saying, “This effort shows the beauty of different communities coming together, especially during challenging times globally.”
Interfaith.sg: A Decade of Bridge-Building
The blood donation drive is part of Interfaith.sg’s broader mission to promote understanding and cooperation among Singapore’s diverse communities. Past initiatives have included charity food drives, sports competitions, and academic tutoring for underprivileged students.
As young people played games and participated in dialogues, they embraced the event’s core message of unity in diversity. Mr. Alla’udin aptly concluded, “Breaking walls to build community is what this initiative is all about.”
