Muslim inmates value religious guidance, care for their families: Fitrah
SINGAPORE – Spiritual and family needs are highly ranked by Malay/Muslim inmates, said Mr Mohamed Farik Omar, executive director of Fitrah (Family and Inmates Throughcare Assistance Haven).
Knowing that there are provisions for both these needs gives inmates hope, said Mr Farik. Fitrah is a programme by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) to provide enhanced support services for Muslim inmates and their families in Singapore.
'Spiritual guidance helps to manage their emotions (during incarceration),' Mr Farik told The Straits Times on the sidelines of a faith-based motivational talk for Muslim inmates on May 7.
'Family touchpoints through visits and letters are also important, as these give them a sense of hope that their families are supportive of them. These are the two important things they (inmates) will consider.'
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) works with the Yellow Ribbon Community Project, which visits inmates' families to monitor and assess the types of assistance they require.
Added Mr Farik: 'In a way, the inmates who are (serving time) feel assured that the Community is helping their families to meet their socio-economic needs through the grassroots or the Community.'
The motivational talks, a collaboration between the SPS and Muis through Fitrah, have been jointly organised since 2021.
They provide deep religious insights and personal reflections to inspire inmates to take ownership of their rehabilitation journeys, said SPS, which added that there are other faith-based programmes for non-Muslim inmates.
Ustaz Dr Izal Mustafa Kamar (left) and Fitrah executive director Mohamed Farik Omar at Tanah Merah Prison School on May 7.
PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
Roughly 30 inmates attended the talk at the SPS Cluster C auditorium, and Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, was also present to observe the session.
Themed 'Understanding Destiny and Strengthening Faith', the talk was delivered by Ustaz Dr Izal Mustafa Kamar, Deputy Mufti of Singapore (Fatwa Development and Research).
He quoted examples from the Quran and simplified the content so that inmates could better understand the wisdom and lessons behind the examples.
Among some of the questions asked by inmates were the dua or personal prayer, and the issue of fate.
The speaker explained that the essence of the stories in the Quran is to take responsibility for one's actions and not blame others for one's wrongdoing.
One inmate, known only as Afiq, said motivational talks, religious guidance and Friday prayers have kept him grounded after he was sentenced in 2024 to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking.
Prison inmate, Afiq (not his real name), said motivational talks, religious guidance and Friday prayers have kept him grounded.
PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
Afiq told ST that he had not been close to his religion for the last 30 years. But seven months in remand helped him adjust and adapt to prison life.
'I found myself working out more, reading more and turning more to God spiritually, which I have not done in my life,' said Afiq, who is single and had graduated in March 2025 with a diploma in media (content production and management) via the prison school.
'Going back to God keeps me grounded and calms me when I'm feeling down.'
While unsure about the future, Afiq said he welcomed the positive changes he is going through in prison.
After graduating from the media course, Afiq, previously an audio technician, now works at the prison's multime dia hub. He gets to dabble in videography, photography, podcasts, subtitling and translations. The 44-year-old is also i n charge of setting up the prison's auditorium.
Afiq said he hopes to get a job in the media industry when he is released from prison.
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times.
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