Cohesive contribution

"Among us tonight are several long-serving individuals who have helped strengthen our community bonds, and deepen our understanding of diverse cultures in Singapore. For example, we have Ervad Rustom Ghadiali. Russi, as affectionately known to many of us, is an unwavering champion of interfaith harmony,” remarked Grace Fu, Singapore minister for culture, community and youth at the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) stakeholder appreciation dinner on October 30, 2018.
In her speech carried on the website mccy.gov.sg, Fu appreciated, "Tonight, we specially recognize 25 friends of the MCCY for working with us to build a 3C nation: a Singapore that is Caring, Cohesive and Confident.” She then proceeded to summarize the contributions of some leading members like Ghadiali. "Having served in the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) for more than 30 years, Russi is the only member to have been elected as IRO president on three occasions (2000, 2009, 2017). A strong supporter of interfaith interactions, he led by example in promoting collaborations at the national and local levels through the years, and hosted many meals at his own home, simply to bring people together. Some of us may not be familiar with Russi’s small faith community of Zoroastrians, but we can certainly recognize Russi’s outstanding contributions to our social compact.”
As admitted Ghadiali who has served as president/vice president of the Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore at different times, "I had not studied other religions until I came to Singapore and joined IRO in 1981 as a representative of the Zoroastrian religion… The bond between the 10 religious leaders and the understanding, trust and respect we have for each other reflects the strength of IRO’s existence… The IRO is a unique organization and many religious heads from other countries visit us in Singapore to learn from our experience in maintaining religious harmony. We appreciate the religious diversity in Singapore and the support received from the Government.”

Currently the longest serving member of IRO, on March 18 this year he was conferred the Long Service Award on the 69th IRO Day. Describing him as "a champion of the interfaith movement in Singapore,” the citation noted, "He is a man driven by a passion to improve the lives of others, in particular the needy and disadvantaged, regardless of their ethnic background or religious affiliation…”
On November 23, Ghadiali was felicitated by Jamiyah Singapore, also known as Muslim Missionary Society, Singapore, when current IRO president Ben Benjamin described him as "IRO’s Rock of Gibraltar,” and IRO general manager Nazhath Faheema remarked that he is "a great inspiration for youths like me.”