Event Report : NEMC Ramadan Youth Camp 2009.

Arrijal Al-Istiqamah collaborates with 6 NEMC youth wings to make RYCamp ’09 a success. This national event was run collaboratively in other clusters as well. The theme set for this year is “The Call To Remember” which aims to instill values like compassion and resilience in our youths.
Overall, 140 youths attended NEMC’s RYCamp. There were also 40-strong Youth Leaders running the camp. In total, there were 180+ individuals that were involved in the Camp. On a micro level, there were 15 Arrijal participants and 10 Youth Leaders involved.
The event was kickstarted with a mass-cheer, meant to break the intangible barrier among the participants. They then sat through a Ramadan aL.I.V.E presentation by Ustaz Khairil and Ustaz Hanafi on the fundamentals of praying and fasting. The workshop was followed by a spiritual jamming session which challenged the participants to search for verses of Al-Qur’an related to vicegerency and responsibilities as human beings.
The camp focused as much on outdoor activities. As a symbol of appreciation, the participants were challenged to distribute porridge to pedestrians at Tampines Interchange, and were treated to a modified game of dog-and-bone afterwards. After Iftar, Maghrib, Isyak and Tarawih, they headed to Pasir Ris Park for the much awaited Need4Deen (ala Amazing Race).
The groups were divided into 15 groups for the race and they had to complete 15 checkpoints; each checkpoint had games they had to go through. At exactly 4am, the race finished and they had Nasi Lemak as Sahur before praying Subuh in congregation.
After reading the doa and a bit of Tazkirah, we made our way back to Darul Ghufran Mosque before saying our goodbyes. It was indeed a great experience for the participants and the Youth Leaders as well. The YDOs are immensely impressed by the work ethics of the leaders. There is a sign of progress and an indication that since the ITQAN camps, our Youth Leaders are progressing well.

Enjoy the shuttertreats :

Event Report : Do Good Feel Good '09

As what the event name suggests, the Social Development Unit of Al-Istiqamah Mosque embarked on another (yes we are already in e 3rd yr!) DGFG project which aims at contributing and appreciating the community, our neighbours specifically. Another main objective is to manifest the ihsan/compassion in us towards others.

The event was organized by various departments of the mosque; Arrijal, Muslimin and Muslimah volunteers, and Al-Istiqamah staffs. It was heavily supported by various organizations namely Hwi Yoh Court RC, MAEC Braddell Heights, Serangoon Moral Family Service Centre, Qaryah Kejiranan Masyarakat Islam Serangoon Ave 2/3, Singapore Nurses Association and St. Gabriel Secondary School.

In total, there were 140 participants in this community service project. The event was further graced by the MP of Marine Parade GRC, Mr. Seah Kian Peng who stayed over for iftar afterwards.

The participants sent items such as Nasi Briyani, canned food, fruits, oil and food vouchers. The recipients of these items consist of three groups:
- 51 Families listed under Al-Istiqamah’s FA list
- 65 Families listed under Serangoon Comcare and Moral Family Service Centre
- 200 Families of two neighborhood blocks

Thus there are 316 recipients in total. Interestingly, some of the participants sent these Ramadan gifts by foot, and some voluntarily send by driving their vehicles to the selected homes making the project even more colorful.

The objectives of the project were met and we got positive feedbacks from the recipients. The event bonded the participants and renew ties between the multi-religious and multi-racial organizations. The spirit of Ramadan relives and Do Good Feel Good looks forward to 2010! Congrats all!

Next Up : Ramadan Youth Camp, 5 - 6 September