Latest news with #Maliki
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Dr Maliki Osman on his personal touch in foreign affairs, bringing social work into government
Building deep relationships helps Singapore establish a sense of trust with its foreign partners, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI SINGAPORE - Over his decade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman has tried to bring a personal touch to building relationships. Among the ways he has tried to do so is by inviting foreign ambassadors to his home for Hari Raya celebrations, together with his friends, neighbours and community leaders, to help establish a sense of friendship. Building such deep relationships helps establish a sense of trust, allowing Singapore to hold discussions with its foreign partners to negotiate new agreements and plans, said Dr Maliki, who is also Second Minister for Foreign Affairs. 'Because once you have trust, you know that you are working with a friend, you're not just working with a business partner,' he said. 'You know that these are people who have your mutual interests at heart. 'When you engage at the international level, you need to be sincere, honest and genuine, and that's what I have done over the last 10 years in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.' Galvanising like-minded partners Dr Maliki – who was first appointed as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2015 – was speaking to reporters in an interview at the MFA building in Sherwood Road on May 19. On April 21, he announced his retirement from politics after 24 years, ahead of the 2025 General Election. An assistant professor at the National University of Singapore's social work and psychology department when he joined politics in 2001 at the age of 36, he was part of a six-member team that won Sembawang GRC during the general election that year. After first becoming a political office-holder in 2004 as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Maliki served in various ministries, including the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Development. Following the 2020 General Election, he was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, as well as Second Minister of Education and for Foreign Affairs. Much of his work with MFA has involved travelling and advocating Singapore's interests, Dr Maliki said. Singapore's actions are in the country's best interests, he said. 'It's not self-centredness, but it's just being practical. Being a small country, we need to ensure our survival,' he noted. 'At the same time, Singapore's interest is not just about what Singapore means, but also galvanising like-minded partners, like-minded countries who are just like us, who face similar challenges,' he added. This includes initiating groupings such as the Forum of Small States and Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation, as well as acting as a member of other groups such as Asean and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Even amid trade tensions between the US and China, Singapore has sought opportunities by establishing partnerships in regions such as Africa and the Pacific Islands, allowing the country to 'put our eggs in other baskets', he said. Seeking longer-term solutions for Israel-Palestine On the issue of Israel-Palestine, Dr Mali ki reiterated the Republic's position that Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip have gone beyond what was allowed in international law. 'What we hope to be able to do is to encourage both sides, and the other interlocutors in the region, to bring them to the table to find longer-term solutions,' he said, adding that this was facilitated by Singapore maintaining a line of communication with Israel. This allowed the R epublic of S ingapore A ir F orce to be one of the few air forces given entry into Israeli airspace to deliver humanitarian aid via air drop in March 2024, he said, noting that Singapore had already delivered eight tranches of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian victims in Gaza. In December 2024, Dr Maliki – who noted he had visited Ramallah in the West Bank numerous times – represented Singapore at a ministerial conference in Egypt on the Gaza crisis. There, he met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and reaffirmed the Republic's continued commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority's capacity-building efforts, such as by increasing the number of annual scholarships offered under the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package. And, in January, Dr Maliki travelled to Jordan to give $1.3 million in humanitarian support for Gaza. 'Our immediate priority now is to encourage the resumption of delivery of humanitarian assistance to the victims of Gaza,' he said. Creating a variety of pathways As Second Minister of Education, Dr Maliki said his greatest sense of satisfaction came from leading a review of the pathways and opportunities for students in polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), to better support their strengths and aspirations. 'I think it's important for us to create that variety of pathways, for students to know that they may develop at different paces, and they may have different talents. We want that diversity, to acknowledge those talents and to harness those talents.' He pointed to the 2024 enhancement to the work-study diploma programme, which allows students to work full time while concurrently attending diploma courses at ITE. New courses were added, allowing about 15 per cent of ITE graduates to progress to a diploma qualification. This has allowed those who may have to work to support their families to also pursue further education, so they can achieve salaries similar to those of polytechnic graduates, Dr Maliki said. Dr Maliki also spearheaded efforts to provide more resources for special education, such as by increasing funding to special education schools to raise teachers' salaries to attract and retain talent. 'We believe that every child, even with special needs, has the ability to harness their potential to the best of their ability, and we do want to do that. I think we can do more still, because more needs to be done,' he said. Dr Maliki, who has a PhD in social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said his background in social work helped inform his political career. One of the most meaningful experiences was when he served in the Ministry of National Development (MND) – first as parliamentary secretary in 2005, before becoming Minister of State in 2013 – where he said the issues of people living in rental flats resonated with him. During his time in MND, Dr Maliki established Project 4650, which brought together different government agencies and community groups to help residents in two Bedok South Interim Rental Housing blocks become self-reliant. Project 4650 served as a key reference point for the Ministry of Social and Family Development when designing ComLink, which coordinates social service support for low-income families that face multiple challenges. 'It gives me a lot of satisfaction that what I've done with a group of families, challenging as they were , is now being implemented upstream to help families in rental flats, so that we can try to stabilise their lives and move them to purchase flats,' he said. Listening to differing views During his time in office, Dr Maliki – described by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as 'a key member of our team of Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs' – supported the Malay/Muslim community through initiatives such as Project Dian, which supports Malay families living in rental flats by connecting them with national and community initiatives. When asked if the expectations that Malay/Muslim voters have of their elected representatives have changed – given community matters had been a hot-button issue in the recent general election – Dr Maliki said the community was maturing, with younger people exposed to different ideas via avenues such as social media. 'Their view of the world may be very different, and that's why I think politics has to respond,' he said. Politicians must listen to the differing views of their constituents, but, at the same time, be able to articulate why the Government takes the position it does on certain issues, he stated. These views should not be disregarded as they may be based on rational opinions, Dr Maliki said. 'If things change, we may come back to those views again,' he said. Even as Malay/Muslims achieve greater academic and economic success, the community is also becoming increasingly interested in spiritual matters, Dr Maliki noted. In line with this, the Committee on Future Asatizah, chaired by Dr Maliki, was established with the aim of improving the development and competencies of Islamic religious teachers in Singapore. Another step taken to develop religious leaders here is the establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS), which will open its doors in 2028 and offer students a four-year full-time undergraduate course to major in either Islamic studies or social sciences. When asked if he would consider taking up a role in SCIS, given his own background in social work, Dr Maliki said he was keeping his options open. 'If, as I engage the different stakeholders, and if I see that it's of value for me to contribute, I'll be more than happy to contribute,' he said. His retirement from politics is a bittersweet move for his family, he said, noting that it is the end of making personal sacrifices to change people's lives, but also allows him to see his wife and two children more. His commitment to work, which sometimes saw him sleep just four hours a day, resulted in a number of health scares over the years, he said. Still, his family knows his passion for contributing to the community, he said, adding that he views his work as an amanah ('trust' or 'responsibility' in Malay). 'While they know my passion, while they know that I want to continue, they know that I will continue in other forms,' he said. Stepping down from politics has freed up his time. He noted that over the weekend he was able to catch two plays – Wild Rice's Tunggu Sekejap: The P. Ramlee Suite and the Singapore Repertory Theatre's production of Macbeth. Retirement will also allow him to travel more often with his family, he said, noting that his schedule previously limited him to only take vacations in December. 'Now, we can plan different times of the year to take a break,' he said. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Sharjah 24
07-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Ruler donates 3 rare books to the Manuscripts House
Saeed Al-Maadawi, the General Supervisor of the Manuscripts House , shared details about the new items. Among them is a special manuscript called "Sharh Mukhtasar Khalil al-Saghir," which focuses on Maliki jurisprudence—a school of Islamic legal thought. This was written by Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Ali Al-Kharashi. The first of the three rare books is "Al-Bahjah fi Sharh al-Tuhafa," which explains another text on Maliki jurisprudence and was printed in Fez, Morocco. The second book is an explanation of a work by Mohammed bin Abi Al-Qasim, which also addresses Maliki jurisprudence. The final book provides insights into logic and was similarly printed in Morocco. Al-Maadawi, during an interview with 'Sharjah 24,' emphasized that these new additions will be beneficial for students both within the UAE and around the world.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - Let's make ‘No Tax on Tips' fair for all tipped workers
When President Donald Trump proposed 'No Tax On Tips' on the campaign trail last year, it struck a chord with millions of Americans. The idea resonated because it addressed something real: working people trying to keep up with rising costs and doing everything they can to stay ahead. But as Congress begins drafting this policy, there's one key group at risk of being left out: millions of tipped workers who get tipped every day for delivering meals, groceries and more. Most people don't realize this, but current versions of the 'No Tax On Tips' legislation would only apply to certain employees, like restaurant servers. It would leave out independent contractors, including the drivers and delivery workers so many of us rely on daily. That means there would still be a tax on tips for someone like Maliki, a mother of three in Florida who runs a small business and delivers with DoorDash to help cover her son's diabetes care. Or Joe, a retired dad and grandfather in Wisconsin who started making deliveries to help pay for his kids' college expenses and stay ahead of rising living costs. They're not alone. More than 7 million Americans work as independent contractors in the app-based economy. Many rely on app-based platforms to earn extra income on a schedule that fits their lives. A recent report from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee also found that one in three Americans engages in some form of independent work. This isn't a small group — it's a major part of today's workforce. People like Maliki and Joe choose this model because it gives them control. They can be their own boss, work when it makes sense for them, and adjust their hours as life demands. And when they're tipped, they keep 100 percent of it. That extra money often goes straight to rent, gas, groceries or family needs. A tax break on those tips would go a long way in helping them reach their goals. And here's the simple truth: a $5 tip given to a restaurant server is no different than a $5 tip given to a delivery driver. Both represent appreciation for service. Both help workers make ends meet. The tax code should treat them the same. In 2022 alone, delivery and rideshare platforms contributed an estimated $212 billion to the U.S. economy, and that number could rise to $500 billion over the next decade. Our laws cannot ignore this huge and growing slice of our economic landscape. This discussion isn't just about taxes. It's also about the future of independent work and the benefits workers need. One idea gaining traction is portable benefits — programs that offer things like health care, paid time off and retirement savings that move with workers from job to job. These programs are already being piloted in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, with bipartisan support. In Congress, newly introduced 'safe harbor' legislation could help pave the way for more innovation on this front. Still, we don't need to wait for every detail of a new system to do what's right today. Let's not make the perfect the enemy of the good. Congress has the opportunity to make this tax policy more inclusive right now. That's why we're helping app-based workers to speak up. Through our DashRoots advocacy network, more than 40,000 'Dashers' have already written to their representatives to ask for change. These are everyday people trying to make their voices heard, and they deserve to be listened to. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they want to help working Americans. Including all tipped workers in this tax break is one way to follow through on that promise. Let's make sure the people we tip every day get the fair treatment they've earned. Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean is Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at DoorDash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Let's make ‘No Tax on Tips' fair for all tipped workers
When President Donald Trump proposed 'No Tax On Tips' on the campaign trail last year, it struck a chord with millions of Americans. The idea resonated because it addressed something real: working people trying to keep up with rising costs and doing everything they can to stay ahead. But as Congress begins drafting this policy, there's one key group at risk of being left out: millions of tipped workers who get tipped every day for delivering meals, groceries and more. Most people don't realize this, but current versions of the 'No Tax On Tips' legislation would only apply to certain employees, like restaurant servers. It would leave out independent contractors, including the drivers and delivery workers so many of us rely on daily. That means there would still be a tax on tips for someone like Maliki, a mother of three in Florida who runs a small business and delivers with DoorDash to help cover her son's diabetes care. Or Joe, a retired dad and grandfather in Wisconsin who started making deliveries to help pay for his kids' college expenses and stay ahead of rising living costs. They're not alone. More than 7 million Americans work as independent contractors in the app-based economy. Many rely on app-based platforms to earn extra income on a schedule that fits their lives. A recent report from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee also found that one in three Americans engages in some form of independent work. This isn't a small group — it's a major part of today's workforce. People like Maliki and Joe choose this model because it gives them control. They can be their own boss, work when it makes sense for them, and adjust their hours as life demands. And when they're tipped, they keep 100 percent of it. That extra money often goes straight to rent, gas, groceries or family needs. A tax break on those tips would go a long way in helping them reach their goals. And here's the simple truth: a $5 tip given to a restaurant server is no different than a $5 tip given to a delivery driver. Both represent appreciation for service. Both help workers make ends meet. The tax code should treat them the same. In 2022 alone, delivery and rideshare platforms contributed an estimated $212 billion to the U.S. economy, and that number could rise to $500 billion over the next decade. Our laws cannot ignore this huge and growing slice of our economic landscape. This discussion isn't just about taxes. It's also about the future of independent work and the benefits workers need. One idea gaining traction is portable benefits — programs that offer things like health care, paid time off and retirement savings that move with workers from job to job. These programs are already being piloted in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, with bipartisan support. In Congress, newly introduced ' safe harbor ' legislation could help pave the way for more innovation on this front. Still, we don't need to wait for every detail of a new system to do what's right today. Let's not make the perfect the enemy of the good. Congress has the opportunity to make this tax policy more inclusive right now. That's why we're helping app-based workers to speak up. Through our DashRoots advocacy network, more than 40,000 'Dashers' have already written to their representatives to ask for change. These are everyday people trying to make their voices heard, and they deserve to be listened to. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they want to help working Americans. Including all tipped workers in this tax break is one way to follow through on that promise. Let's make sure the people we tip every day get the fair treatment they've earned.
See - Sada Elbalad
24-04-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
ICESCO Participates in Seminar on Early Islam in Morocco
Mohamed Mandour Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated in the scientific seminar organized by the Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania Institute, under the theme: 'Early Islam in Morocco: Historical Context, Characteristics, and Expansions.' The event was attended by Dr. Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco; Dr. Amal Jallal, President of Al-Qarawiyyin University; Dr. Abdelhamid Achak, Director of Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania; along with prominent figures including professors, experts, and researchers in the field. Dr. Benarafa presented a scholarly paper at the seminar entitled 'Establishing the Legitimacy of the Schools of Thought Coming from the East to the Maghreb,' in which he discussed the spread of the Maliki school of thought in Morocco. He stated that 'the Hanafi school was among the first schools to reach Ifriqiya from the schools of Iraq. Following that, Moroccans began traveling to the Hijaz in pursuit of knowledge and Hajj, and narrated directly from Imam Malik. Their return led to the dissemination of the Maliki school, which gained wide renown, and Ifriqiya and Cordoba became among the most renowned centers of jurisprudential study across the Islamic world.' The ICESCO Deputy Director-General explained that the choice of the Maliki school by the people of the Maghreb was due to several reasons, such as the nature of the Maliki school, its compatibility with reality, and its distance from forced interpretations. He added that the Maliki school is a practical jurisprudence linked to real-life contexts and people's interests, while remaining firmly rooted in foundational Islamic principles. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
