When Mr Khairudin Hashim and his family arrived at Al-Muttaqin Mosque in Ang Mo Kio on the morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri in 2022, they did so with prayer mats in hand and masks on.
It was a very different scene on Saturday morning as the family of five turned up at the mosque empty-handed for Hari Raya prayers, with Covid-19 rules such as mask-wearing lifted and congregants no longer advised to take along their own prayer mats.
Pointing to some congregants who stayed behind after prayers to chat and greet one another, Mr Khairudin said he felt like the pre-pandemic atmosphere had returned, as he did not feel like he had to "just pray and leave".
The 60-year-old technician, who was at the mosque with his wife and three sons, was among thousands of Muslims who gathered across the island on Saturday to mark Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is also known as Hari Raya Puasa and comes at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
About 240,000 prayer spaces were provided by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) this year, up from 153,250 in 2022.
Most of the spaces - about 230,000 were at 68 mosques, with five of them offering a single prayer session, 51 offering two sessions, and 12 offering three sessions.
Esta historia es de la edición April 23, 2023 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 23, 2023 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Actor Ryan Lian slashed outside shopping centre
Local actor Ryan Lian fears disfigurement after he was attacked outside a shopping centre and suffered facial injuries.
Blue Man Group to end New York run after three decades off-Broadway
NEW YORK - Blue Man Group, the wordless theatrical troupe of drumbeating, paint-splattering, bald blue performers, will end its run in New York on Feb 2, more than three decades and 17,000 performances after it began.
Author Cormac McCarthy had relationship with teen when he was 42: Vanity Fair
On Nov 20, American magazine Vanity Fair published a bombshell article revealing that Cormac McCarthy, one of the United States' most celebrated and enigmatic novelists, had a relationship with a girl he met when he was 42 and she was 16.
Actor Jung Woo-sung may skip film awards after love child revelation
South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, who was recently revealed to have fathered a child out of wedlock, is reportedly discussing with his agency whether to attend the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Nov. 29.
Imagine Dragons more pensive after six-year absence
Some 10,000 fans attended the concert by the American pop-rock band, who last performed in Singapore in 2018
Team behind Netflix film hopes to spread joy and spark debate on IVF
The makers of a new film about the British pioneers of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) hope it highlights the fragile status of fertility treatment, with perceived threats in places like the United States and dwindling availability in Britain.
Notre-Dame inspired Americans' love and help after fire
Through an avalanche of giving in amounts from US$10 (S$13.50) to US$10 million, Americans have proven their love for Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, mobilizing to support the rebirth of a monument they hold dear.
Wicked revels in the glory of frenemies
The female frenemy plot takes oft-hidden tensions and makes them larger than life for viewers' enjoyment and catharsis
Shell Out for shellfish
Clams, oysters and scallops are nutrient-packed and an environmental success story
Stomping out plantar warts
I get warts on the bottom of my feet. How can I treat and prevent them?
