Latest news with #FaishalIbrahim
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
$15m upgrade for Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu; new mosque to be built in Tampines North from mid-2027
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (right) visiting Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu, as part of his engagement with the community. SINGAPORE - Upgrading work on the Alkaff Kampung Melayu mosque in Bedok North has begun and is expected to last more than two years at a cost of $15 million. Separately, construction of a mosque in Tampines North is expected to start in mid-2027 and be completed in 2029. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim made these announcements during a visit to Alkaff Kampung Melayu Mosque on July 25. The upgrading of Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu Mosque started in April and is expected to be completed in two phases over 26 months, said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) in a statement on July 25. The works will improve accessibility with features such as barrier-free amenities, and optimise space in the 30-year-old mosque. 'The current layout and infrastructure need to be refreshed and optimised to better serve the needs of our growing congregants and the aged,' said Muis, adding that post-upgrade it will be able to accommodate up to 3,200 congregants, up from the current 3,000. The project will include expanding the main prayer hall on the first floor to include new wings with classrooms and administrative offices, as well as installing a new passenger lift and refreshing the building's facade. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Singapore More students to get Smart Buddy watches; most schools have gone cashless Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers, without facing penalties Business Microsoft Singapore managing director Lee Hui Li dies while on sabbatical Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly During the upgrading period, the mosque will still be operational for daily and Friday prayers, with a limited space for about 1,000 congregants, added Muis. An artist's impression of the main prayer hall of Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu. PHOTO: MUIS Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu is also actively raising funds for the $15 million project through multiple avenues, such as religious talks, charity drives and donation boxes placed in mosques islandwide. Meanwhile, the construction of a mosque in Tampines North that had been put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic will begin in mid-2027. Prof Faishal announced that design development of the new mosque, located along Tampines North Drive 5, will kick off by the end of 2025. The larger project will be overseen by the management board of the nearby Darul Ghufran Mosque, he said. Former minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli had said in March that the new Tampines North mosque will ease the load of Darul Ghufran – the only mosque in Tampines and Singapore's biggest. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (right) interacting with worshippers during his visit at Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN While the mosque, located next to Our Tampines Hub, can accommodate up to 5,500 worshippers, Mr Masagos said it was overstretched by having to conduct two to three sessions during Friday prayers and Hari Raya prayers. Muis said that Darul Ghuffran mosque's management board would lend their expertise and experience in mosque management, as well as their familiarity with the Tampines area. Speaking to the media after Friday prayers, Associate Professor Faishal said that mosques are vital institutions that play a central role in fulfilling the socio-religious needs of the Muslim community. Earlier in July, he had announced that Darussalam Mosque in Clementi will undergo a $10.3 million upgrade from September, while a site for the future mosque serving the new Tengah town has been reserved along Forest Drive. 'We welcome feedback and views from the community on how we can shape the two new upcoming mosques together,' said Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs. 'This is an exciting chapter for Muslim residents in the Tampines area, and I look forward to building these mosques together – a space that will serve many generations to come.'
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Over 8,000kg of korban meat to be distributed to 4,232 low-income households in Singapore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – A total of 8,464kg of korban meat will be distributed to low-income residents in Singapore in July and August. The first meat distribution exercise took place at the void deck of Block 12 Eunos Crescent on July 13, where Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim handed out packets of frozen mutton to 120 residents. The meat, which came from Australia, was donated by participants of 2025's Ibadah Korban, organised by Jamiyah Singapore with the help of the People's Association and Residents' Network. Korban refers to the Islamic ritual of slaughtering farm animals such as sheep and lambs, followed by the distribution of the meat to worshippers and the needy. A total of 4,232 low-income households will each receive 2kg of frozen meat, which will be distributed at 28 constituencies across the island from July to August. Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the event, Associate Professor Faishal said he has received feedback from members of the Muslim community about opening more mosques for korban to be conducted locally. In 2025, six mosques in Singapore were used as sites for the local korban ritual. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys Business 29 Jollibean workers get help from MOM, other agencies, over unpaid salaries Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Asia Dr Mahathir resting in hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore Singapore Why the vape scourge in Singapore concerns everyone Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Another 52 mosques offered overseas korban services, where the livestock is slaughtered overseas and the meat is chilled, packed and sent to Singapore. Prof Faishal said that he is discussing the matter with the relevant authorities. He said: 'Please give us time to look further into the feasibility with our local agencies as we have to be mindful of the important factors such as animal welfare, public hygiene, safety as well as cost.' Since he became Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Prof Faishal said, he has been walking the ground to understand the concerns of the Muslim community in Singapore. These include concerns about the long waiting times to obtain visas to perform the haj in Saudi Arabia and increasing the quota for haj pilgrims . Since 2018, Singapore has been allocated 900 slots for Singaporeans to perform the haj pilgrimage. The number of haj slots each year depends on Saudi Arabia's allocation, with 2018 being the last time the quota was increased, up from 800. Amid the volatile geopolitical situation in the Middle East, Prof Faishal said he recently reached out to local students studying in Egypt and Jordan over Zoom to hear their concerns. 'Many of them are back in Singapore for their break, and I welcomed them back at the airport,' he said. 'Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muis (the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), through our student liaison offices in Jeddah and Cairo, we'll continue to work closely with them to monitor developments in the region. 'I want to assure them that their safety and well-being are foremost in our minds.'
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
$10.3m upgrading for Darussalam Mosque; new Tengah mosque to be built along Forest Drive
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Upgrading for the Darussalam Mosque will be conducted over a two-year period. SINGAPORE – From September, Darussalam Mosque in Clementi will undergo a $10.3 million upgrading, which will enhance accessibility in the 37-year-old place of worship. Meanwhile, a site for the future mosque serving the new Tengah town has been reserved along Forest Drive. These developments were announced by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim during a visit to the Darussalam Mosque on July 11. Speaking to the media after Friday prayers, Associate Professor Faishal said that the Darussalam Mosque is the latest to undergo improvements under the Mosque Upgrading Programme of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). The most recent was the Darul Makmur Mosque in Yishun , which reopened on Hari Raya Haji in June after a two-year, $15 million renovation. Upgrading for the Darussalam Mosque will take place over two years. 'During this period, the mosque will remain operational,' said Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore boosts nuclear viability, safety research with new institute and $66m in additional funding Singapore Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term Singapore More than 14,300 people checked during 7-week-long anti-crime ops Singapore Over 150 e-bikes and other non-compliant mobility devices impounded in last 2 months: LTA Singapore S'porean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times Singapore Over 12,000 lower-income households to receive $60 in transport vouchers by end-July Business CEO salaries: At Singapore's top companies, whose pay went up and whose saw a drop? Singapore NDP 2025: Leopard tank transmission fault identified, vehicle to resume role in mobile column He said he had a 'close attachment' to Darussalam Mosque, having previously volunteered there and served on the management board between 2001 and 2005. 'This is a significant milestone for the jemaah (congregation) in Clementi and the surrounding neighbourhoods,' he added. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim participating in Friday prayers on July 11. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Located along Commonwealth Avenue West, Darussalam Mosque is known for its distinctive cuboid-like architecture. It was officially opened in 1988, having been built under the second phase of the Mosque Building Fund. The upgrading works will include a new two-storey space for the atrium, as well as a lift and a central staircase to improve crowd flow. The mosque's ventilation systems will also be enhanced, while its facade will be refreshed. In addition, there will be advanced mechanical and electrical systems that meet the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark 2021 Super Low Energy Building standards. The construction will be in two phases, with the first phase involving the main prayer hall. The second phase will include the annex building, which has an auditorium and other facilities. The upgrading works will include a new two-storey space for the atrium, as well as a lift and a central staircase to improve crowd flow. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO After the upgrading, Darussalam Mosque is expected to have up to 3,300 prayer spaces, up from around 3,000 currently. As part of fundraising efforts, the mosque will hold religious talks and charity drives, and place donation boxes in various mosques throughout the island. Details about the fundraising and other key initiatives will be shared at a later date, Muis said. Meanwhile, design development for the new mosque in Tengah, which has yet to be named, is expected to begin in 2027, said Prof Faishal, describing it as an 'exciting chapter' for Muslim residents in the area. 'I look forward to the support from the community as we shape this new mosque together,' he added. Prof Faishal noted that the development of mosques in Singapore has been made possible because of the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund, which working Muslims contribute to. 'We must plan these projects carefully to ensure their long-term financial sustainability in the midst of rising costs,' he said. In 2021, it was announced that plans to build new mosques were deferred in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In March, however, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that a new mosque would be built in Tengah , with Muis working with the relevant agencies to identify a suitable site. A new mosque in Tampines North, whose construction was suspended during the pandemic, will also see construction resume in 2027, PM Wong said then.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Straits Times
Muis launches undergrad scholarship to cultivate talent pipeline for mosques, madrasahs in S'pore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim chatting with the scholarship recipients on July 9. SINGAPORE – A new undergraduate scholarship has been introduced by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) to strengthen the talent pipeline for community institutions such as mosques and madrasahs. Called the Muis Scholarship, the new scholarship will support undergraduate studies, providing recipients with up to $120,000 in funding. Upon completing their studies, recipients will have to serve a three-year bond, either at one of the 72 mosques or six full-time madrasahs in Singapore. On July 9, Muis presented the scholarship to the first batch of four students. They were chosen based on their academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to serve the community, Muis said in a statement. The four received their scholarships at a ceremony held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. One of the recipients, Ms Saqina Qamilia Suwandi, 20, said she was grateful to receive the Muis Scholarship. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire more than 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Singapore Govt watching job situation for fresh graduates closely, exploring further support: Gan Siow Huang Singapore Man who killed cats by throwing them off HDB blocks has jail term doubled to 27 months Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore Tough questions lie ahead as Singapore accelerates push for driverless vehicles Singapore People working in air-conditioned spaces prefer 24 deg C and warmer: Survey In 2024, she was the top scorer in the A levels among the students at Madrasah Wak Tanjong. Her other accomplishments include awards at national-level competitions, such as best speaker in the National Malay Debate Competition in 2021. 'InsyaAllah (God willing) I am determined to use this opportunity to do good and to give back to the community,' she said, adding that she hopes to be able to contribute in matters concerning family development in the future. The Muis Scholarship will help support more talented and deserving students here, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim, who attended the ceremony. 'We remain committed to developing our asatizah (religious teachers) who can guide Singapore Muslims to practice their faith confidently in our modern society,' said Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs. Singapore's Islamic religious teachers must possess not only deep theological understanding, but also connect meaningfully with younger generations while upholding religious traditions, he said. They should also be able to navigate complex social issues harmony in the Republic's multireligious society, as well as provide thoughtful guidance on emerging social and ethical challenges, he added. The new scholarship complements the existing Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS), which awards recipients up to $240,000 and requires them to serve a six-year bond at Muis, the Syariah Court or the Registry of Muslim Marriages upon graduation. At the ceremony, three students were presented with the SISS, named after Singapore's second mufti, who died on July 7, 2025. Since its inception in 2022, the scholarship has been granted to six recipients. The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Syed Isa, who served as Singapore's mufti between 1972 and 2010, with a video presentation of his contributions. Singapore's current mufti, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, said at the event that the naming of the scholarship after Sheikh Syed Isa goes beyond merely recognising his role as an illustrious religious leader. 'The Syed Isa brand is much more than that. It is as much about the spirituality of the man and his character, his humility and kindness, as it is about his formal role,' he said.
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Southeast Asia facing hidden extremist threat
In May, Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit arrested an 18-year-old man in Gowa, South Sulawesi, on charges of spreading Islamic State (IS) propaganda and inciting bomb attacks on social media. Identified only as MAS, the suspect represents a deeply troubling development in Southeast Asia's struggle against terrorism: the rise of youth radicalisation driven entirely by online exposure. While militant networks across the region have suffered operational setbacks in recent years, their ideological campaigns have not only persisted -- they have evolved. Today's battleground is no longer limited to physical spaces or clandestine training camps. It is digital, decentralised, and disturbingly effective. As extremist propaganda migrates online, the radicalisation of youth has become a growing security and societal concern. This is Cyber Jihad 2.0 -- a sophisticated, borderless war for minds, fought in newsfeeds, private chats, and encrypted forums. New battlefield, younger target The internet has become the primary theatre for modern extremist movements. Since the collapse of IS's territorial hold in the Middle East, groups aligned with its ideology have increasingly embraced cyber-based strategies to sustain their influence. In this digital evolution, social media platforms are used not only for propaganda but also recruitment, indoctrination, and tactical instruction. In Indonesia alone, the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) recorded over 180,000 pieces of extremist content circulating online throughout 2024. Instagram accounted for the highest volume, followed by Facebook and TikTok -- platforms where Southeast Asia's digital-native generation spends most of its time. Teenagers like MAS are not only susceptible to these narratives but may also become amplifiers -- resharing, remixing, and spreading radical content across platforms. In this way, digital radicalisation is peer-driven, self-replicating, and largely invisible to traditional counterterrorism frameworks. Singapore, too, has had to confront this threat head-on. At the Religious Rehabilitation Group's (RRG) annual retreat on June 24, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim revealed that 17 youth have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the past decade, with two-thirds of them detected in just the past five years -- most of them radicalised online. Some cases have been especially alarming. In 2020, a 16-year-old Singaporean boy plotted to attack two mosques after being radicalised by far-right content inspired by the Christchurch massacre. He planned to use 3D-printing technology to fabricate a firearm and carry out a mass shooting. He was stopped in time, but not before admitting that the only reason he failed was his inability to obtain a weapon. In February 2025, a 15-year-old girl became the first female teenager in Singapore to be issued a restriction order under the ISA. She had aspired to marry an IS fighter, raise a pro-IS family, and die as a martyr in Syria. These cases demonstrate that radicalisation is no longer tied to a single ideology. Digital platforms are increasingly agnostic to ideology -- they simply reward emotional, sensational, and binary content. Whether driven by Islamist extremism or far-right nationalism, youth radicalisation now emerges from ideological echo chambers where misinformation and hate find fertile ground. Singapore's proactive infrastructure -- such as the SGSecure movement, Emergency Response Teams, and elite counterterrorism units -- provides critical deterrence. But as Prof Faishal noted, today's digital threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and our prevention strategies must evolve with it. Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has also emphasised the importance of early community intervention, especially by parents and guardians. In its guidance for families, ISD underscores that radicalisation often begins subtly -- through excessive consumption of extremist content, emotional withdrawal, or sudden changes in worldview. Young people may express intolerant views, glorify violence, or isolate themselves into online echo chambers. The ISD encourages families to foster open dialogue, promote critical thinking, and report early signs of ideological shifts. This approach reflects an important shift: counter-radicalisation is no longer the sole domain of security agencies, but a responsibility shared by schools, religious leaders, and especially families. Radicalisation by stealth Yet radicalisation does not happen solely in cyberspace. A more insidious dimension is unfolding in the form of transnational ideological mobility -- where young Southeast Asians travel abroad for religious studies, only to find themselves absorbed into more rigid, and sometimes radical, networks. On Feb 7, 2025, four Indonesian nationals were arrested at the Saudi–Yemen border for allegedly using falsified student visas to enter Tarim, a centre of Islamic scholarship in Hadramaut. Though their journey appeared academic, the men -- alumni of conservative pesantren and graduates of Middle Eastern universities -- were reportedly working to expand ideologically aligned networks abroad. Investigations accusingly linked their activities to institutions previously associated with Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and noted efforts to connect with diaspora-linked clerics managing informal Islamic learning hubs. Their meetings and outreach have been doubted as a systematic strategy to embed ideological infrastructure under the cover of education. This case marks a shift in modus operandi. Instead of underground routes or fake NGOs, actors now mask their mobility in legitimate-looking religious or academic travel, using manipulated visa classifications. It is a form of stealth jihad -- ideological expansion under the cloak of scholarship. These developments point to a need for deeper scrutiny of outbound student flows, tighter vetting of overseas religious institutions, and stronger intelligence-sharing across borders -- particularly among countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, which face overlapping risks from youth radicalisation and transnational ideological movements. But the threat is not static. As extremist groups evolve, so too do their tools. Increasingly, artificial intelligence is being weaponised to generate deepfake propaganda, hyper-personalised content, and automated recruitment messaging. Sophisticated language models can now mimic religious discourse, producing seemingly authentic sermons, fatwas or manifestos tailored to appeal to specific youth subcultures. These developments blur the line between real and synthetic influence, making it harder for both youth and authorities to discern authenticity. In the near future, the ideological battlefield may be shaped not just by human preachers or influencers, but by algorithms trained to radicalise at scale. This underscores the urgency of building resilience -- not only in content moderation systems, but in the cognitive and moral faculties of the next generation. A generational fault line Cyber Jihad 2.0 represents a generational shift in how terrorism manifests. It is decentralised, deeply personal, and often camouflaged as religious awakening or ideological conviction. Its victims may never step foot in a conflict zone, yet their actions -- shaped entirely by online exposure or institutional influence -- can lead to real-world violence. From the teenager in South Sulawesi to those in Singapore and the students detained in the Arabian Peninsula, the message is clear: radicalisation today is multi-layered, multi-platform, and increasingly hard to detect. And while Southeast Asia has made commendable progress in dismantling militant groups like Jamaah Islamiyah, it now faces a more elusive adversary -- one that mobilises through hashtags, visas, and digital incantations. If we fail to act, the ideological soundness of an entire generation hangs in the balance.
