Latest news with #MuslimAffairs
CNA
25-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim aims to strengthen networks
Newly appointed Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim says he wants to strengthen networks, especially in the Malay-Muslim community. One way is through broadening outreach by engaging more informal groups. Dr Faishal was speaking at two community events – a cycling programme and a Malay language Scrabble competition. Muhammad Bahajjaj with more.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Singapore's new Muslim affairs minister lays down firm stance on Gaza issue
Singapore 's newly appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs began his first hours in the role by condemning a controversial social-media commentator for attacking former president Halimah Yacob's support for Palestinians in Gaza – taking a markedly firmer stance than his predecessor. 'Many in our Muslim community, as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life, continue to feel deeply about the tragedy unfolding in Palestine. That includes our former president, Mdm Halimah Yacob, whose views are widely respected across our communities,' wrote Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim in a social media post on Friday night, just hours after being sworn into office. 'In times like these, we need more understanding, not division,' he urged. 'We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric – local or foreign – to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build in our multicultural society.' Halimah was a 'deeply respected national figure', he said, adding that he shared her sentiments. This was in response to a post by the Critical Spectator, Polish national Michael Petraeus, known for his pro-establishment and often inflammatory commentary on political and social issues.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Faishal Ibrahim to be Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
SINGAPORE - Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, who is being promoted to Senior Minister of State, will be appointed Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, as part of Cabinet reshuffle moves. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on May 21 that Prof Faishal will take over the Muslim Affairs portfolio from Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who held the position for seven years. During a press conference about the reshuffle, PM Wong also said that Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad will take over the chairmanship of self-help group Mendaki. He is currently deputy chairman. 'So Faishal and Zaqy, together with other Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs, will continue to engage the Malay/Muslim community closely, building on the strong foundations we have today and working with the community to realise our shared goals,' said PM Wong. He added that he too will work closely with the community. 'Engaging the Malay/Muslim community was a priority for me in the last term, and it will continue to be a priority in this new term of government,' said PM Wong. Leadership transition in the Malay/Muslim community has been a matter that PM Wong said he had discussed with Mr Masagos. PM Wong noted that Mr Masagos had done a good job during his tenure, having advanced many initiatives such as M³ – a partnership between Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (Mesra). Mr Masagos had also championed efforts such as the establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies. These contributions, PM Wong added, were valued and appreciated by the community. Both he and Mr Masagos had agreed that it was time to refresh the Malay/Muslim leadership and give new and younger office-holders the opportunity to step up, engage the community, and work with them to achieve shared goals. In consultations with his Cabinet colleagues and Mr Masagos himself, it was agreed that Prof Faishal would be the best person to take over as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, said PM Wong. PM Wong said Mr Zaqy would assist Prof Faishal, alongside other Malay/Muslim office-holders. New additions to the team include Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, who will be a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, and Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who will serve as a Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Education. They will join Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam. PM Wong said that together with the other Malay/Muslim MPs, these individuals will work hard to engage the Malay/Muslim community and listen to their concerns and aspirations. Responding to a question on what his priorities for the community would be, Prof Faishal said that he was grateful for the trust placed in him by PM Wong, adding that he recognised the significant responsibility that comes with his new appointment. 'This is a very important area, and it's a big responsibility,' he said. Thanking Mr Masagos for his contributions, Prof Faishal said that he intended to continue and build on key programmes in the community. Reflecting on his experience, Prof Faishal noted that he has been involved with the Malay/Muslim community for nearly 30 years, beginning as a grassroots and community leader before becoming an MP and subsequently holding roles in government. In those roles, he worked with the community across a range of areas, from education to social and family development, housing, and most recently, the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. Through his work, he said, he has found value in connecting both widely and deeply with the community. Prof Faishal said that when he works closely with residents, people become more involved as they begin to understand the challenges involved in supporting others. He noted that this approach allows the community to celebrate small victories, which cumulatively lead to larger achievements. But Prof Faishal also acknowledged that progress takes time and effort, and that building momentum requires bringing people together and creating opportunities for collective action. 'What is key is how we work together as a community,' he said. PM Wong was also asked about the chairmanship of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG), which was established in 2000 to strengthen the Government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and deepen its understanding of the Chinese community. He said the role, currently held by Mr Edwin Tong – who will be taking over the Ministry of Law – will be handed over to Mr Chee Hong Tat, who will be appointed Minister for National Development. Hariz Baharudin is a correspondent at The Straits Times covering politics. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Faishal Ibrahim appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs in Cabinet reshuffle
SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim has been appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Wednesday (May 21) as part of changes to the Cabinet following the recent General Election. The full ministerial post had been held since May 2018 by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, who took over from Dr Yaacob Ibrahim. Mr Wong said Mr Masagos, who will remain minister for social and family development, had advanced many initiatives during his tenure that are now valued and appreciated by the Malay-Muslim community. 'We agreed in our discussion that … it's time to refresh the (Malay-Muslim) leadership and let new and younger office holders take over,' he said, adding that Assoc Prof Faishal was the 'best candidate' for the role. He will be assisted by Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, who takes over as chairman of the Yayasan MENDAKI self-help group. Mr Wong added that Assoc Prof Faishal, Mr Zaqy and other Malay-Muslim political officeholders – such as Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, incoming Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, as well as incoming Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi – would work hard to engage the Malay-Muslim community and listen to their concerns and aspirations. Assoc Prof Faishal said he appreciated the faith placed in him, and thanked Mr Masagos for his work over the past seven years, including the development of a new Islamic college in Singapore. 'Some of these programmes, I will continue and strengthen,' he said, adding that he has been involved in the community for close to 30 years. Engaging widely and deeply with the community has been useful in rallying it to do good and contribute to society, he said. Assoc Prof Faishal added that the Malay-Muslim community has received much support, and he reflected on how this was true even after the foiled 2001 bomb plot by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group. At the time, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean told grassroots leaders that Singaporean Malay-Muslims were part of the social fabric and not like JI members. 'I was really touched, and I told myself, not many countries would have that kind of position and that kind of care for the people,' said Assoc Prof Faishal, who was then serving as a community leader. 'This is something that is quite deep in my heart and mind. 'With this role, I want to rally the community to come together, to work together, help one another, not only to build and help to raise our young children and to provide opportunities for growth in the community; but also to contribute to the Singapore story.' Assoc Prof Faishal will also be promoted to Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs, but will no longer hold a position in the Ministry of National Development, where he had been a Minister of State since July 2020. In response to a question about the to-do list for Assoc Prof Faishal, Mr Wong said the starting point was continuing engagement, to better understand the community's concerns and aspirations. Some of the concerns are not unique, but there are also times when there will be disagreements, he said. 'That's bound to happen, but I think our differences and our diversity should not weaken us,' said Mr Wong. Instead, Singapore should find ways to forge consensus and become more united. 'Embrace our diversity, find, expand the common ground we have as Singaporeans, and through that sense of solidarity and unity, have confidence in Singapore's future,' he said.
