The serious fire at Hong Kong’s Hong Fu Court has drawn widespread attention from all walks of life. However, Hong Kong pop diva Sammi Cheng was criticized by netizens who questioned that she “only prays and doesn’t donate.” As a devout Christian, she had posted prayers for the victims both right after the incident and again two days ago. As soon as she finished her filming work, she rushed to attend a prayer meeting, with tears in her eyes as she wrote out blessings for the victims and the firefighters and medical staff on prayer papers. But because she didn’t mention any donation amount, people assumed she hadn’t contributed a cent. Today on IG, she clarified that, like most people, the first thing that came to her mind and that she could do when disaster struck was to donate. On the 28th of last month, through her assistant, she donated 1 million HKD (about 528,000 MYR) to the Red Cross and Yan Chai Hospital.
The serious fire at Hong Fu Court in Hong Kong has drawn widespread attention from all walks of life. Pop diva Sammi Cheng was criticized by netizens for “only praying and not donating.” She explained that she didn’t mention it before because, to her, once a donation is made, it’s done—she doesn’t dwell on whether it’s known or reported by others. She only cares about “whether the donations from all of us are ultimately put to good use and distributed to those in need.” After sharing her prayers for the disaster victims, she received many questions asking “Besides praying, did you donate money?” In the face of such criticism, she chose to clarify the situation now. On the 28th of last month, Sammi Cheng, through her assistant, donated 1 million HKD (about 528,000 MYR) to the Red Cross and Yan Chai Hospital.
Sammi Cheng stated, “Prayer (intercession) has always carried power in my heart; it’s not an empty belief but a trust in God and an expression of love for others.” Praying in church with fellow believers for the victims, their families, and firefighters and medical staff is something she can do when feeling helpless, besides making donations. She was initially unsure how to respond to the criticism but understands and respects the netizens’ doubts. However, fearing more attacks and pressure, she felt compelled to clarify the facts.
She said that while money is important, it’s not the only way to show care. Sometimes, an online greeting, a warm and loving picture, or a few words of heartfelt concern can sometimes comfort broken and displaced hearts even more than money. “I do not regard prayer as something cheap or shameful; interceding for others, or even holding hands and praying together, crying and grieving together, that is power, comfort, and love.” She prays that the deceased rest in peace, the bereaved find comfort, the injured recover. Everyone’s hearts are broken, but she hopes that all people can find the strength to recover and start anew.
Source: Apple Daily News