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PROFILE

Habib Hassan Al-attas

PreachING & Practice
OF peacE & harmony

The Imam of Ba’alwie Mosque lives by example and is
a strong advocate for the development of inter-faith
dialogue amongst civic society and diplomatic circle in
Singapore. He also recalls how Saudi Arabia has contributed
to the promotion of inter-religious harmony here

Saudi Arabia and Singapore have had (IRO), the oldest interfaith organisation in tonnes.This year we received 40 tonnes which
the world, Habib Hassan shared with us his we distributed to mosques, public religious
great bilateral ties and a regular people-to- observations about the warm and friendly groups and other organizations.”
people ties for generations. Some Arabs who relations that Singapore and the seat of
came here to trade, have made Singapore Islam - Saudi Arabia have been sharing for On 8th November 2015 Habib Hassan
their home and have been an excellent bridge centuries. received the Inter-Religious Organisation
between the two countries. One prominent
name is Habib Hassan, the Imam (IRO) Award, for his outstanding
and head of Ba’ alwie Mosque for contributions to the community
over 41 years. and inter-faith dialogue. Towards
this end, the Imam has made a

Spreading the sweetness of faith great contribution, doing his very
through generations, a prominent best to bring to the people the real
face in the media, Habib Hassan and peaceful teachings of Islam.
or Habib Syed Hassan Bin Recollecting the cooperation of
Mohamed Al-Attas, invited us The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
to his home and to the mosque to he says “We cannot forget what

share with us his life’s mission and the Saudi’s have done, they
the work he does. contributed to the seed funding

for Inter-Religious Organisation

The seeds of spreading the words (IRO) when the then Crown

of Islam were sown in the Al- Last year’s donation of dates was marked by a visit to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador Prince visited Singapore.”
HE Saad S Al-Saleh (2nd from right) led by Singapore Senior Minister of State
Attas family, by Habib’s Hassan (Defence & Foreign Affairs) Dr Mohamed Maliki Osman (3rd from right) leading
Ambassdor’s, Ministers, visiting
father who built the mosque in a delegation with Habib Hassan (centre) and other Singapore civic leaders

1952. Way back in time Arab merchants who had dignitaries and locals also from
made Singapore their home had contributed other faiths are regular visitors to the mosque
The mosque, which is located in Lewis significantly to its economic growth through and can at anytime spend time here in
Road, Bukit Timah can accommodate 1,000 their trading activities, and even today these remembering the Almighty, have water, and
worshippers for daily and Friday prayers. connections continue to be very strong on also sometimes taxi drivers come here to rest
many levels. This also includes the travel to between shifts, shared the Imam.
Spreading the words of harmony and Saudi Arabia,both for the Hajj and the Umra
brotherhood,the mosque has a rare collection each year. In times like these when world peace and
of the Qur’an and other holy scriptures. harmony are being largely threatened by

Welcoming people of various faiths from Annual Gift of Dates radicalism and wrong interpretations, Habib
far and near and giving them a tour of the Sharing with us another important aspect of Hassan, receives guests on a regular basis,
mosque, explaining the teachings of Islam the sweetness of Saudi - Singapore ties, he both local and international,believers or those
with warmth and passion is one of the roles said, “We are grateful for the annual gift of from other faiths, and takes great pride in
Habib Hassan takes on with pride and with bringing them around and walking the talk,

great finesse. dates that we receive from the Kingdom of through his wise words and warm hosipitality.

Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the fasting

A respected member of the Arab community, month.” Always smiling, energetic and optimistic

which made Singapore home long ago, he its little wonder in 2017, the Royal Islamic

can still be seen wearing the traditional long Expressing his gratitude, he said, “We have Strategic Studies Centre, Jordan, placed

Arabic robe or jubah every day. Also a council been involved with distribution of dates Habib Hassan amongst the ranks of the 500

member of the Inter-Religious Organization for over 20 years, which we began with 20 most influential Muslims in the world.

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