Last evening, we gathered again for our Friday Circle. It was a small group some familiar faces, some friends from the wider humanist community joining us.
As always, not everyone was comfortable being seen, and that is perfectly alright. In this space, people choose how they show up.
This month, being April, we decided to mark the occasion in our own way, drawing inspiration from the many New Year celebrations observed across different Indian communities during this time. The table reflected it beautifully: murtabak, naan, idli, Indian rojak, and a warm serving of payasam to bring it all together.
But beyond the food, what mattered as always was the conversation.We had our usual round of sharing. Naturally, much of the discussion centred around recent developments, particularly the Ahmadiyya Hari Raya open house.
Members who attended shared their experiences, offering insights into the visit and what it meant to be part of that space.
The conversation deepened as one member, well-versed in the history of Islamic traditions, spoke about the Ahmadiyya movement—its origins, its place within the broader Islamic world, and how minority groups navigate their position both in Singapore and globally.
We also touched on the ongoing exchanges on our Facebook page. It has been an interesting time for us, with more attention, more questions, and more voices engaging with what we are trying to do.
There is a sense of quiet excitement.
CEMSG has even received another invitation, and as always, we will approach it thoughtfully, true to who we are.
But beyond all these discussions, what remains most important is this: For a few hours, people could sit together without needing to explain themselves. No debates. No expectations.
Just presence, conversation, and a shared understanding that does not always need words. And of course, no Friday Circle is ever quite complete without a little unexpected company.
This time, we had both a cat and a dog wandering through the space, moving freely, unbothered, and entirely at ease.
There was something quietly comforting about that.And sometimes, that is enough.
