Centre for Interfaith Understanding - CIFU

18/06/2026

Reminder: happening this Sunday!

When we speak of Singapore's religious diversity, some communities remain less visible than others.

Join us for an introduction to the Jaafari Muslim community in Singapore as we explore their history, beliefs, traditions, and contributions to our shared social fabric.

This is the first programme in our new Singapore Pluralism Series; a space for curiosity, learning, and meaningful encounters across differences.

📅 Sunday, 21 June 2026
🕒 3.00pm – 5.00pm
📍 Ahlul Bayt Educational and Cultural Centre

Organised by 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨)
In partnership with 𝗝𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 (𝗝𝗠𝗔𝗦) & 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 (𝗛𝗕𝗜)

Scan the QR code or register via this link: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/gtk-01

Bring your questions, curiosity, and listening ears. We look forward to welcoming you!

🕌✨ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨🕌

As part of CIFU’s new 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, we invite you to journey with us as we explore the rich traditions, histories, and communities that shape Singapore’s multicultural and multireligious landscape. 🇸🇬

We are kicking off the series with “𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐉𝐚𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐡𝐢’𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞” — a timely and meaningful introduction to the Jaafari Muslim community as we approach the Islamic New Year. ✨

In this session, participants will:
✅ Understand their cultural and religious practices
✅ Learn about their historical presence within Singapore’s diverse landscape
✅ Build friendships with members of the community

🗓️ Sunday, 21 June 2026
🕒 3.00pm – 5.00pm
📍 AhlulBayt Educational & Cultural Centre (AECC)
(17 Lorong 15 Geylang, Singapore 388608)

Organised by 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨)
In partnership with 𝗝𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 (𝗝𝗠𝗔𝗦) & 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 (𝗛𝗕𝗜)

Whether you’re curious about different faith traditions, passionate about fostering understanding, or simply looking to learn something new, we’d love for you to join us. 🤗

Scan the QR code or register via this link: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/gtk-01

14/06/2026

🕌✨ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨🕌

As part of CIFU’s new 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, we invite you to journey with us as we explore the rich traditions, histories, and communities that shape Singapore’s multicultural and multireligious landscape. 🇸🇬

We are kicking off the series with “𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐉𝐚𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐡𝐢’𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞” — a timely and meaningful introduction to the Jaafari Muslim community as we approach the Islamic New Year. ✨

In this session, participants will:
✅ Understand their cultural and religious practices
✅ Learn about their historical presence within Singapore’s diverse landscape
✅ Build friendships with members of the community

🗓️ Sunday, 21 June 2026
🕒 3.00pm – 5.00pm
📍 AhlulBayt Educational & Cultural Centre (AECC)
(17 Lorong 15 Geylang, Singapore 388608)

Organised by 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨)
In partnership with 𝗝𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 (𝗝𝗠𝗔𝗦) & 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 (𝗛𝗕𝗜)

Whether you’re curious about different faith traditions, passionate about fostering understanding, or simply looking to learn something new, we’d love for you to join us. 🤗

Scan the QR code or register via this link: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/gtk-01

13/06/2026

🤝✨ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬! ✨🤝

Some of our CIFU board members had the pleasure of meeting the new Singapore leadership team of 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 this evening. ☺️

It was a warm and meaningful exchange — over good food (especially durian!) and thoughtful conversation — as we got to know one another better and explored shared commitments to family, community, and service. It was also a blessing to learn about the church’s work in promoting research into family history and genealogy. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

We look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration in strengthening mutual understanding and interfaith friendship in Singapore! 🇸🇬

07/06/2026

☸️🪷✨ 𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗨 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗕𝗙 𝗩𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 ✨🪷☸️

This afternoon (7 June 2026), a few of us from CIFU visited the Vesak Fair organised by the Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) at Singapore Expo, Hall 5B. ☸️

It was a meaningful afternoon of friendship, learning, and shared community spirit. We were glad to reconnect with friends from the Buddhist community, including Sis Sujata and Ven You Guang , and to witness the vibrancy of Vesak celebrations. 🙏

We also enjoyed a delicious vegetarian lunch! 🌱🍱 Some of us also tried our hand at Zentangle! 🎨 It was a calming and creative experience that reflected the reflective spirit of the day. 🪷

Thank you to SBF for the warm hospitality and for creating a welcoming space where members of all communities can meet, learn, and celebrate together. ☺️🙏

02/06/2026

🌏✨ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ✨🌏

CIFU was honoured to be part of the Interreligious Earth Day Dialogue 2026 organised by Caritas Singapore, during which our Vice-Chair, Imran, was interviewed for a video during this meaningful gathering of faith leaders, youth representatives, and community partners. 🤝

Held on 22 April at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, the dialogue brought together more than 70 participants from nine religions — united by a shared commitment to care for our common home. 🏡

Ms Goh Han Yan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, graced the event. The event also saw Mr Ravi Menon, Singapore’s Ambassador for Climate Action, give an excellent speech on what it takes to mobilise every concerned person towards caring for the environment.

The group conversations then reminded us that:
🌱 Care for the environment transcends religious boundaries.
🌱 Faith communities offer moral leadership in responding to climate change.
🌱 Environmental responsibility is inseparable from care for vulnerable groups.
🌱 Dialogue must move beyond words and extend into collaborative action.

From sustainability education and nature regeneration to ecological spirituality and community resilience, the dialogue highlighted how interfaith cooperation can nurture hope, solidarity, and practical change. 💪

We are grateful to Caritas Singapore and AIRDECS .catholic.sg for creating space for continued collaboration — because caring for our planet is also caring for one another. 🌏

See the event report here:
https://catholicnews.sg/2026/05/27/faith-communities-unite-for-earth-day-dialogue-on-care-for-creation/

Video: https://youtu.be/7v_uG2vGdEg?si=5Xn_3LgKlEIPcQG4

📸 : Caritas Singapore

31/05/2026

☸️🪷✨ Blessed Vesak Day from the Centre for Interfaith Understanding (CIFU)! ✨🪷☸️

On Vesak Day, Buddhists around the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha — whose teachings continue to inspire countless people across cultures and generations. 🙏

In a world filled with constant noise, movement, and distraction, Vesak gently invites us to rediscover the value of stillness. It reminds us that wisdom is not always found in certainty or speed, but often in the quiet practice of paying attention — to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us.

The Buddha’s teachings encourage us to cultivate awareness, humility, and care in our daily lives. These are values that resonate far beyond any one faith tradition. Whether through a thoughtful word, a patient heart, or a compassionate act, each of us has the capacity to contribute to a more gracious and understanding society. 🌏🤝

Given Singapore’s rich tapestry of cultures and religions, Vesak also reminds us of the importance of seeing one another not merely through our differences, but through our shared sentience and interconnectedness.

As we mark this sacred occasion, may we find the courage to slow down, listen deeply, and walk gently with one another.

Blessed Vesak Day 🙏 May your hearts be filled with clarity, compassion, and inner peace. 🪷✨

27/05/2026

🕋🌙✨ 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐣𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐂𝐈𝐅𝐔)! ✨🌙🕋

Hari Raya Haji, also known as Eid al-Adha, commemorates the devotion, faith, and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). It is a sacred occasion that reminds us of the values of compassion, humility, generosity, and care for one another. 🤝

As Muslims around the world gather in prayer, reflection, and acts of charity, this occasion also invites us all to reflect on the importance of empathy, service, and solidarity within our shared human family. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

In our multicultural and multireligious Singapore, Hari Raya Haji reminds us that despite our different beliefs and traditions, we are united by common hopes for peace, harmony, and mutual understanding. 🌏🕊️

تَقَبَّلَ ٱللَّٰهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُمْ
𝘛𝘢𝘲𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘸𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘶𝘮
“May Allah accept from us and from you.”

From all of us at CIFU — 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐣𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤! May this blessed season bring peace to your hearts, blessings to your homes, and compassion to our communities. ✨

03/05/2026

📰 𝐂𝐈𝐅𝐔 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝑩𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏

Our Vice-Chair, Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, has penned a thoughtful piece in 𝑩𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 addressing the recent debate over halal meals on Singapore Airlines flights. ✈️

The controversy — sparked by concerns over shared ovens — highlights a deeper issue: the need to distinguish between ‘halal’ as a religious concept and the halal logo as a modern certification system.

In the article, Imran explains:

🔹 Halal certification is a 20th-century development shaped by global migration and minority Muslim contexts.
🔹 The global halal industry is now a multi-trillion-dollar sector, intertwined with economics, politics, and identity.
🔹 Islamic jurisprudence (𝘧𝘪𝘲𝘩) contains legitimate differences of opinion (𝘪𝘬𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘧), showing that ‘halal’ is more nuanced than a logo alone.
🔹 In a multi-religious society like Singapore, wisdom, context, and mutual trust are essential for maintaining harmony.
🔹 Not everything without a halal logo is non-halal — and over-dependence on logos may weaken deeper religious understanding.

Drawing on Muis’s guidance, the article reminds us that halal rulings consider context, practicality, and coexistence in diverse societies. 🤝

📖 Read the full article here:
https://www.beritaharian.sg/singapura/isu-halal-hikmah-agama-landaskan-fiqh-utuh-ambil-kira-kehidupan-bilang-agama-kaum
(Click the “Translate” icon for the English version.)

28/04/2026

Yesterday, the 4th CIFU Management team (2026-2028) met with Advisor Prof Yaacob Ibrahim.

We are excited for the next two years!

We hope you will continue walking with us and support our vision for the embrace of diversity and inclusivity in the space of social cohesion work! 🫶🏽 🇸🇬

24/04/2026

Last Sunday, we brought together migrant workers and local participants for an afternoon of listening, sharing, and reflection.

Through stories of lived experiences, from communities facing environmental change to everyday efforts to live more sustainably, we were reminded that climate change may not be felt equally, but it connects us all.

Participants spoke about their hopes, worries, and the ways they find strength through community, values, and care for one another.

Together, we created a shared tree 🌳 with roots grounded in values like compassion and responsibility, and leaves carrying small actions each of us can take. A simple reminder that while our experiences may be different, we share the same sky and a shared responsibility for the world we live in.

Thank you to everyone who made this space possible: our speakers Wakhit Hasim , Tan Hang Chong , facilitators, partners Migrant Writers of Singapore , MoNo Foods , and participants.

Shared Skies: Stories of Climate, Faith and Home is an interfaith storytelling event organised by Centre for Interfaith Understanding - CIFU, supported by the Harmony in Action Eco-peace Project Grant by Wahid Foundation , in partnership with Temasek Foundation .