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CNA
07-07-2025
- General
- CNA
Shaikh Syed Isa Semait, Singapore's longest-serving Mufti, dies at 87
SINGAPORE: Singapore's longest-serving Mufti, Shaikh Syed Isa Semait, died on Monday (Jul 7) at the age of 87. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), in a media statement, said that it was "deeply saddened by the passing of a senior religious scholar and leader", adding that his death was a "great loss to the Singapore Muslim community and the nation". Shaikh Syed Isa was appointed Mufti at 33. He held the position from 1972 to 2010. As Mufti, he was a strong advocate for education and a key figure in promoting inter-religious harmony. His tenure saw the establishment of many key institutions that had helped propel the religious life of the Muslim community, said MUIS. This included implementing the system to determine the Islamic calendar, developing the institution of zakat collection and disbursement, social development programmes for the poor and needy and the Mosque Building Fund, which finances the development of mosques in Singapore. He also supported the formation of the Harmony Centre, located at the An Nahdhah Mosque in Bishan, as a hub to promote interfaith engagement and harmony, as well as the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, which champions charitable and humanitarian causes. He also oversaw the establishment of an internationally credible and reliable Halal certification system in Singapore, and the management and growth of the community's wakaf properties. These are properties that have been permanently dedicated by a Muslim for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. Shaikh Syed Isa also steered the Fatwa Committee in working out solutions for challenging and contentious issues, said MUIS. He presided over issues such as the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), where he rallied the authorities and the Muslim community to accept a unique solution for Muslims before they fully embraced the HOTA system in 2007, said the council. He also led efforts to deal with the arrest of the Jemaah Islamiah groups, supporting the establishment of the Religious Rehabilitation group, which rehabilitates the detainees and their families. A firm believer in education, Shaikh Syed Isa saw seeking knowledge as a religious obligation. 'He recognised the importance of religious teachers continually updating their skills and knowledge to guide the community in a rapidly changing environment,' said MUIS. His commitment to education led to the establishment of the Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS) in 2015, to honour his vision of cultivating promising talents dedicated to leading and serving Singapore's religious sector. Shakih Syed Isa 'was known amongst the interfaith leaders' circle as playing a significant role in providing leadership and inspiration in enhancing bonds of relationship among the many faith communities for the greater good of Singapore and beyond', said MUIS. He was a council member of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore (IRO) in 1975, before becoming a life member. He moved on to become the organisation's president in 1993. He was also a member of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony from 1992 to 2010. For his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to public service, Shaikh Syed Isa was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 1982 and the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 2009. He also received the IRO Lifetime Award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in Singapore. In 2011, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. In its statement, MUIS hailed Sheikh Syed Isa's wisdom and leadership as 'instrumental in shaping a forward-looking and self-confident Muslim community'. 'With his passing, the community has lost a dedicated community leader who worked tirelessly to uplift the community and promote interfaith harmony,' said the council. Shaikh Syed Isa's unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to promote a confident and progressive Muslim community have left a lasting impact on Singapore and beyond, said MUIS.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Aisyah lost her mum, fought cancer but never gave up her teaching dream
BANGI: The road to achieving her dream of becoming a teacher was anything but easy for 23-year-old Aisyah Humaira' Mohd Aqbal. She lost her mother during the first year of her studies, and her situation was compounded when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in her fourth year. Despite the odds including enduring nine rounds of chemotherapy, the Teacher Education Institute (IPG) graduate who specialised in Malay language education persevered and completed her degree. "I wasn't too disheartened when I was first diagnosed with cancer. All I wanted was to complete my studies as soon as possible. "My doctors were very encouraging and urged me to begin treatment immediately. "Some of my friends were shocked and saddened when they found out," she said when met at the 15th Convocation Ceremony of the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM) in Bangi today. Aisyah said she had to miss several classes during her recovery, as each chemotherapy session left her too weak to attend lectures. "There were many challenges. I had to skip classes while undergoing treatment because I couldn't return right after chemo. "That was one of the sacrifices I had to make to finish my studies. For me, I had to keep fighting to complete these five years," she said. Aisyah said her mother died due to Covid-19 and a stroke during her first year at IPG, a tragedy that became a source of strength and motivation to carry on. "My late mother was a Malay language teacher, and I inherited my passion for teaching from her. "When she fell ill, I was able to return home to take care of her before she passed away." Due to her medical condition, Aisyah was transferred from the Sarawak campus to IPG Darulaman so she could continue her studies while receiving treatment at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital. Meanwhile, the ceremony turned sombre when the parents of the late Nurul Alya Fatnin Mohd Mawardzi took to the stage to receive their daughter's scroll on her behalf. Nurul Alya, an Islamic Education student from IPG Sultan Mizan Campus in Besut, Terengganu, died in a road accident shortly before completing her studies. Her scroll was presented by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
CNA
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore College of Islamic Studies advisory panel holds first meeting
SINGAPORE: The advisory panel for the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) gathered for its inaugural meeting on Tuesday (Jun 24), bringing together scholars from global institutions. The panel comprises leading academics and experts who have developed various programmes worldwide, said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). "Their collective expertise spans decades of scholarly excellence in both traditional Islamic sciences and contemporary education," it added. In his opening remarks at Swissotel The Stamford on Tuesday, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said the SCIS is a 'longstanding aspiration' of the Singapore Muslim community and a key milestone in the country's Islamic education landscape. "It will offer a distinctive pathway that seamlessly integrates Islamic scholarship with contemporary disciplines, underpinned by robust pedagogical foundations," said Associate Professor Faishal, who is also chairperson of the advisory panel. With the rapid advancement of technology, evolving social norms and global interconnectedness creating increasingly complex problems, fresh approaches to religious guidance and education are required, said Assoc Prof Faisha. Therefore, graduates from SCIS need to become religious scholars and professionals who are deeply anchored in Singapore's multiracial and multireligious context, as well as thought leaders who can effectively articulate and guide the practice of Islam in modern, plural societies, he added. 'Looking ahead, our success will be measured not just by the institution we build, but by the impact our graduates will have on society - as religious scholars who understand both their faith and their context, as thought leaders who can guide our community through challenging times, and as bridge builders who can foster understanding across communities.' PRODUCING SCHOLARS AND LEADERS Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, said that at the undergraduate level, many religious teachers and scholars who study abroad have gaps in knowledge, skills and competencies. There are knowledge gaps in understanding Singapore's 'unique context', not only because of its cultural and religious diversity, but also the broader way of life, he added. As for skills and competencies, Dr Nazirudin said shortcomings are mostly work, language and technology related. 'We've always been supportive of our students to study in renowned Islamic institutions – Al Azhar, Jordan, Morocco and many others. But we also acknowledge that there is an equally significant degree of uniqueness in our conditions and experience that needs serious attention," he said. He added: "If this uniqueness is not carefully addressed in the way Islam and its cultures are studied and taught, or it's not given enough attention in terms of how to deal with the unique challenges that this brings, eventually it will grow to become a big challenge in matters of religious leadership for a community that is almost impossible to overcome." The SCIS needs to strike the right balance between the focus of tradition and the emphasis on context, Dr Nazirudin said. "This is a balance we must continue to work on. And in fact, if anything, this will be one of the most major contributions of the college – to be able to find the right balance and to reduce the divergence between the two." Joining Assoc Prof Faishal and Dr Nazirudin on the advisory panel are eight other members: Professor Tan Tai Yong, president of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) Professor Lily Kong, president of Singapore Management University (SMU) Professor Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at Edinburgh University Dr Nazir Mohmaed Ayyad, the grand mufti of Egypt Dr Salama Dawood, president of Al-Azhar University Professor Driss Fassi Fihri, vice-president of Al-Qarawiyyin University Professor Dr Abdul Rahman Alkilani Professor Koutoub Moustapha Sano, secretary-general of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy The new Islamic college will offer a full-time undergraduate degree programme allowing students to major in either Islamic Studies or Social Sciences, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in November 2024. The Islamic studies track will enable graduates to be fluent in the application of Islamic traditions and principles that are appropriate for the modern world and contextualised to Singapore's society, said MUIS. The Social Sciences route will allow students to develop competencies in vocational skills, such as social work and counselling. MUIS has partnered SUSS to develop the social science track, and with three foreign Islamic institutions to develop the Islamic Studies track. SCIS will take in its first cohort of 60 students in 2028, with classes held at MUIS' learning campus near Bencoolen Mosque. "I'm confident our graduates will emerge as religious scholars who understand both Islamic principles and Singapore's unique social fabric," Assoc Prof Faishal said. "Together, we will ensure SCIS serves the religious needs of Singapore's Muslim community and contributes towards Islamic thought leadership, and at the same time, help to develop our nation," he added.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- The Sun
Mother seeks prayers for injured UPSI student Nur Erika
JERTIH: The mother of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student Nur Erika Alisya Mohd Zaidi, who was seriously injured in the tragic road accident on the East-West Highway in Gerik, Perak on June 9, has called on the public to pray for her daughter's speedy recovery. Noorzailizan Zakaria@ Ariffin, 41, said her daughter, who sustained injuries to both hands and her neck, could only lie in bed at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu after being flown from the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, Perak, via the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department helicopter on Saturday (June 21). 'She's in stable condition and has shown positive development, but she needs help with her movements because she can't move her hands properly due to the many fractures sustained. 'Nur Erika Alisya's right hand has had rods inserted into her shoulder, elbow and wrist as well as into the elbow and wrist of her left hand. She also has to wear a neck brace due to a fracture,' she said when contacted by Bernama today. The housewife, who lives in Kampung Alor Keladi in Hulu Besut near here, said that she and her 45-year-old husband, who works as an assistant handyman, currently take turns to care for the eldest of three siblings. Noorzailizan said that the 21-year-old Nur Erika Alisya is still traumatised and often recalls the tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 15 of her campus friends. 'For example, during the ambulance ride from the Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Nerus to HSNZ on Saturday, she was scared and cried throughout the journey. She also dislikes having the ceiling fan switched on at full speed as it causes her to recall the tragic incident,' she said. Noorzailizan hopes that her daughter, who is a Bachelor of Islamic Education student, will recover quickly so that she can pursue her ambition to become an ustazah (religious teacher). In the early morning incident on June 9, 15 UPSI students died when a bus specially rented from Jertih to return to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after being involved in an accident with a Perodua Alza on the highway. The accident also resulted in 33 others being injured, including the bus driver and co-driver, as well as the driver and three passengers of the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Barnama
UPSI Bus Crash: Please Pray For My Daughter's Speedy Recovery
JERTIH, June 23 (Bernama) -- The mother of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student Nur Erika Alisya Mohd Zaidi, who was seriously injured in the tragic road accident on the East-West Highway in Gerik, Perak on June 9, has called on the public to pray for her daughter's speedy recovery. Noorzailizan Zakaria@ Ariffin, 41, said her daughter, who sustained injuries to both hands and her neck, could only lie in bed at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu after being flown from the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, Perak, via the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department helicopter on Saturday (June 21). "She's in stable condition and has shown positive development, but she needs help with her movements because she can't move her hands properly due to the many fractures sustained. "Nur Erika Alisya's right hand has had rods inserted into her shoulder, elbow and wrist as well as into the elbow and wrist of her left hand. She also has to wear a neck brace due to a fracture,' she said when contacted by Bernama today. The housewife, who lives in Kampung Alor Keladi in Hulu Besut near here, said that she and her 45-year-old husband, who works as an assistant handyman, currently take turns to care for the eldest of three siblings. Noorzailizan said that the 21-year-old Nur Erika Alisya is still traumatised and often recalls the tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 15 of her campus friends. "For example, during the ambulance ride from the Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Nerus to HSNZ on Saturday, she was scared and cried throughout the journey. She also dislikes having the ceiling fan switched on at full speed as it causes her to recall the tragic incident,' she said. Noorzailizan hopes that her daughter, who is a Bachelor of Islamic Education student, will recover quickly so that she can pursue her ambition to become an ustazah (religious teacher). In the early morning incident on June 9, 15 UPSI students died when a bus specially rented from Jertih to return to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after being involved in an accident with a Perodua Alza on the highway.
