Fulfilling The Trust: 50 Years Of Shaping Muslim Religious Life In Singapore

Contents
Acronyms
Foreword by Masagos Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs
Foreword by Mohammad Alami Musa, Muis President
Foreword by Abdul Razak Maricar, Muis Chief Executive
Foreword by Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, Mufti of Singapore
Muis at 50: A Personal Reflection by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Former Minister for Communications and Information, Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs and Minister-in-Charge of Cyber Security
	Introduction — A Road Less Travelled
	Building Trust and Professionalism
	Dialogue and Understanding
	Diversity and Sectarianism
	Role of Religion in the Modern World
	Conclusion — The Road Ahead
Acknowledgements
Note on Translation, Spelling, and Other Conventions
Introduction: Towards a Socio-Historical Analysis of Muis Policies
	Objective of the Book
	Central Questions and Book Summary
	References
Part 1 — Building Muis’ Foundations
	1 The Institutionalisation of Islam in Singapore: The Administration of Muslim Law Act and the Birth of a ‘Majlis Ugama’
		Introduction
		Legislation of Muslim Religious Affairs: Pre-Colonial to Independence
		The Idea of an Islamic Religious Council
		The Omnibus Legislation — The Administration of Muslim Law
		Conclusion
		References
	2 Institution Building and Community Development : Dynamics of Muis’ Dual Identity
		Introduction
		Expectations on the Singapore Public Service
		The Case for Institutional Capability Building
			Lack of Trust and Expertise
			Lack of Governance and Systems
		Developing Dynamic Capabilities
			Leadership and People Development
		Strengthening Governance
			Leveraging Technology for Improved Productivity
			Institutionalising Continuous Improvement
			Consultative Strategic Planning
			Benchmarking
			Sector Remodelling
			Corporatisation
		Trade-offs and Challenges
		Balancing Roles and Addressing Criticisms
		What the Future Holds
		References
Part 2 — Shaping Religious Life and Education
	3 Contextualisation and Modernisation: Islamic Thought through Fatwas in Singapore
		Fatwa Tradition in Islam
		Fatwa Institution in Singapore
		Organ Donation
		Inheritance
		Conclusion
		References
	4 Developing Asatizah in Singapore through the Asatizah Recognition Scheme
		Introduction
		Challenges Faced in Post-Independence Singapore
		The Role of Muis and Community Partners in the Early Years
		Asatizah Development Today
		Community’s Readiness for Mandatory ARS
		Conclusion: Further Centralisation of Religious Life?
		References
	5 Madrasah Education: A Journey Towards Excellence
		Introduction
		The Evolution of Singapore Madrasahs
		Juggling Dual Objectives
		Support from Mendaki and Muis
		Impact of Compulsory Education(CE)
		Post-CE Efforts
		Remodelling the Madrasahs
		Financial Sustainability
		Balancing Change and Preserving of Legacy and Heritage
		Conclusion: Future of Madrasahs
		References
	6 Rethinking Islamic Education for the Young
		Introduction
		Background of Part-time Islamic Education in Singapore
		Challenges to the Relevance of Islamic Education Programmes at Mosques
		Review of Mosque Madrasahs
		The Singapore Islamic Education System
		Critiques of the aLIVE Programme
		Future Challenges for Part-time Islamic Education
		References
		Annex A
Part 3 — Managing Assets and Services
	7 Mosques in Singapore: Managing Expectations and the Future Ahead
		Constructing and Sustaining a Place for Worship
		Sustaining Mosque’s Socio-Religious and Developmental Mission
			Manpower
			Structure
			Programme
		Positioning Mosques within the National Landscape
		The Future of Policy-making at Mosques
		References
	8 Doing Things Differently: Zakat and Social Development in Singapore
		The Institutionalisation of Zakat in Singapore
		Modernisation of Zakat Management in Singapore
		Limitations of Zakat
		Incorporating Social Development and Connecting with National Social Assistance
			Programmes
			Controls and Structures
			Capabilities Development
			Connecting with National Social Assistance
		Doing Things Differently
		The Future of Assistance
		References
	9 Enhancing Community Assets: Sustaining the Wakaf Legacy
		Introduction
		Financing Wakaf Development Projects
		First Foray into Property Development
		Asset Migration
		Corporatising Warees
		Enhancing Wakaf Properties: The Next Phase
		Policy Lessons
		Conclusion
		References
	10 Haj Aspirations: A ‘Hybrid’ of Public and Private Models for Singapore
		Introduction
		Background
		Haj Provision Models Around the World
		Haj Management in Singapore
		Contemporary Challenges
		Mitigating Contemporary Challenges
		The Future of Haj
		References
		Annex A
		Annex B
		Annex C
	11 Managing Demand Growth for Halal Food
		Understanding Halal Food
		Halal Food Verification
		Halal Certification
		Drivers of Demand for Halal Certification
			Globalisation of Food Systems
			Increasing Religious Consciousness
			Growth Potential of the Halal Industry
		Emerging Challenges
			Over-reliance on Halal Certification
			Proliferation of Fake “Halal” News
		Conclusion
		References
		ANNEX A: KEY MILESTONES OF MUIS HALAL CERTIFICATION
	12 Seeking the Meaning of Sacrifice: Evolution of Korban in Singapore
		Major Milestones In Korban Implementation
		New Korban Operation Regime
		Criticisms on Korban in Singapore
		Conclusion
		References
Part 4 — Beyond the Singapore Muslim Community
	13 International Networking: Bringing the World to Muis
		Introduction
		Regional Networks
		Expanding mission
		Positive Models
		Silver Linings
		Shaping Discourse
		Recent Developments
		The Way Forward
		Reference
	14 Spirit of Blessings to All: Muis’ Contribution to Social Cohesion
		Introduction
		Community’s Intrinsic Spirit of Inclusiveness
			Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO)
			Individual Efforts: Mufti Syed Isa Semait and Habib Syed Hassan Al-Attas
		Commitment to Religious Harmony and Social Cohesion
			Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act
		9/11 and JI Arrests
		Muis’ Post-9/11 Efforts in Building Social Cohesion
			Positing the Positive Role of Religion in Society
		Forging the Singapore Muslim Identity
		Driving the interfaith agenda
		“Blessings to All”: Community Narrative to Build Social Cohesion
		Conclusion
		References
		Annex A
Conclusion: Diversity and Disruption: Charting New Pathways for the Future
	Reaping the Benefits of Current Structures
	Future Challenges
		Changing Economic Landscape
		Ageing Population
		Maintaining a Sense of Identity
	Impact on the Community’s Socio-Religious Life
	Charting New Paths
	References
Profile of Contributors
Glossary
Past & Present Images
Index