Together We Serve, A Community United (Bersatu Berkhidmat, Masyarakat Sepakat)

Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir

 Parliamentary colleagues,

 Community leaders,

 Ladies and gentlemen.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good evening.

Opening

1.          Thank you for making time for our annual Hari Raya Get-Together. This is my first time celebrating this special occasion with you as the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

2.          I dedicate this evening to our volunteers, our M³+ partners including Malay/Muslim and Indian Muslim Organisations, and the many individuals who serve our community from the heart. Please join me to give them a big round of appla

3.          Like you, Hari Raya is special for me, as it signifies the close relations, mutual respect and understanding that we have for one another as a community. This is crucial, for as long as we are one strong and united people, we can navigate and overcome any difficulties.

4.          We saw this in action over Ramadan and Syawal.

a. Generosity in the many efforts to support families in need.

b. Commitment in the work of our mosques, our volunteers and our partners.

c. And unity in the way people came together across generations and backgrounds.

5.          This is why for tonight’s theme, we have chosen “Bersatu Berkhidmat, Masyarakat Sepakat”, or “Together We Serve, a Community United”.

6.          It is this spirit that grounds my vision for the Malay/Muslim community – for every member to be the best version of themselves, at every stage of their lives.

7.          This vision is a collective one, built on my engagements with different segments of our community over the last year, and guided by the shared values of Amanah (trust), Kesyukuran (Gratitude), and Keikhlasan (Sincerity).

8.          To achieve this vision together, we must build a stronger community, where we care for each other, and uplift our community with our strengths and resources. With these foundations in place, we can better seize economic opportunities to improve our lives, and nurture a vibrant religious life.

Building a Stronger Community

9.          Let me start by speaking about building a stronger community and identity.  

10.      Many in our community are following developments in the Middle East with heavy hearts. I know that this has been unsettling, and even distressing for some.

a.         We pray for peace and protection of innocent lives, and hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts will lead to a sustained ceasefire. But we also know that such crises can have wider implications for Singaporeans too, including disruptions to travel, and higher costs at home.

b.         In times like this, our long-term planning has allowed us to respond decisively. We have managed to avoid power and fuel disruptions, and even brought overseas Singaporeans home safely from the Middle East. We are also making good use of our fiscal strength to support Singaporeans, especially those who are less off.

c.          Such challenges remind us to live out our shared values as individual citizens. Amanah reminds us that we each have a responsibility to safeguard the harmony, not weaken it. Kesyukuran reminds us to appreciate the peace and stability we enjoy in Singapore. And Keikhlasan reminds us to always respond with compassion and sincerity, especially when emotions run high.

11.      Beyond what the Government can do, and how we respond as individuals, it is what we do for each other that defines us as a community. This spirit of gotong-royong remains one of the greatest strengths, and we must continue to build on this.

12.      That is why we have expanded M³ to M³+, to better harness our collective efforts and strengthen partnerships across agencies, organisations and community networks, so that we can support one another more effectively.

13.      I encourage all of us to step forward and do our part, as I believe that each of us has something meaningful to contribute.

a.         A good example is Mr Hashim Bin Yusof. Outside his day job as an Education Workshop Instructor, Mr Hashim volunteers with Project Dian, visiting families in public rental flats to build meaningful relationships and provide necessary support. His dedication has inspired his daughters, Ms Nur Afiah and Ms Nur Izzah, to join him in serving others through Project Dian. Mr Hashim and his daughters show us what it means to be the best versions of ourselves, and to use our strengths in service of others. And there are many more of you like Mr Hashim and I thank you.

b.         Similarly, during Ramadan and Hari Raya, our qaryahs worked closely with mosques and MUIS to provide additional spaces for Tarawih and Hari Raya prayers. At these sessions, many of our seniors and those with mobility needs expressed their gratitude for the collective effort which allowed them to pray together with the community.

14.      This is the difference we make when we come together with a shared purpose to serve the community.

15.      At the same time, we are strengthening our collective identity by stepping up efforts to develop and nurture our Singapore Malay culture and heritage. As I shared before, the Malay Heritage Centre will play a more active role as a centre for cultural development, placemaking and community engagement and development. I look forward to the reopening festival of MHC later this month, and would like to invite everyone to join in our celebrations. 

16.      I am proud of how far our community has come, and I am even more encouraged by the potential of what we can achieve together.

Preparing our community for the future economy

17.      One way that we can harness the strengths of strong communities, is to support each other to seize new opportunities in the future economy.

18.      The world is changing quickly. Geopolitical tensions are reshaping supply chains, and many countries are adopting more defensive trade policies. New technologies, especially AI, are rapidly transforming industries and jobs. As a free and open economy, these changes will have an impact on Singapore.  

19.      Some of you have shared with me your concerns about what lies ahead. I fully understand – it is not easy when our businesses and our jobs are at stake. We must support each other through disruptions and transitions, and help each other prepare for, and seize new opportunities which will emerge.

20.      We are already taking steps to do so. This evening, I am glad to announce that the Government will enhance the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme, that has benefitted many of our young people in our Malay community. We will better support Malay students and their families with the costs of tertiary education. This is critical in equipping our students with the knowledge, skills and expertise to enter new industries in growth sectors.

21.      We will also set up a new Committee for Economic Resilience, or Jawatankuasa Daya Ekonomi, to study the recommendations of the national Economic Strategy Review, and mobilise our community to translate strategies into better jobs, broader opportunities, and higher wages for our businesses and workers.

22.      Let me elaborate further.

Enhancements to TTFS

23.      First, on the TTFS enhancements. Preparing for the future economy starts with investing in our young.

24.      In this regard, tertiary education is one of the strongest enablers of progress over the long term. It opens up new career pathways and improves employment prospects. We want to encourage as many of our students as possible to go for it.

25.      But the cost of tertiary education can be a concern for some families, especially those with many school-going children. So, in addition to other national schemes like the MOE Tuition Grant and Higher Education Bursary, we will make two enhancements to the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme, which provides additional support to Malay students as they pursue their studies in local polytechnics and universities.

a.         First, we will raise the income eligibility criteria across all tiers so that more households can be covered. For the 100%, 75% and 50% subsidy tiers, we will increase the per capita income threshold to $1,700, $2,000, and $2,200 respectively.

b.         We will also introduce an additional 25% subsidy tier for middle-income Malay households with per capita income of up to $2,400, so that they can also benefit and receive some level of support to defray the cost of tertiary tuition fees.

26.      These enhancements will be implemented with effect from Academic Year 2026/2027, and I encourage those who are eligible to apply.

27.      The enhancement of the TTFS scheme is just the start. Our broader goal is to help more Malay students attain tertiary qualifications in Singapore, particularly to qualify for university. So in the coming years, our focus will be to help Malay students, particularly those from lower-income families, prepare and position themselves well to get in.

28.      MENDAKI is already doing good work in these areas. This includes utilising the MENDAKI’s Education Development Fund (EDF) to support education-related programmes for the wider community, such as:

a.         Firstly, the enhanced MENDAKI Achievement Programme;

b.         Secondly, the revamped ReadySetLearn (RSL) that empowers parents to support their child’s learning; and

c.          And thirdly, MENDAKI’s mentorship programmes and professional networks to support youths in navigating career pathways.

29.      We will do more in the coming years, and I invite our community partners to step forward and partner us on this journey

30.      I hope that our students will take full advantage of these support schemes, and for those who have done well, to give back and lift others up in the process. That is how our community can move forward together, with one heart.                                         

Committee for Economic Resilience

31.      Second, we will do more to strengthen our community’s economic resilience. Investing in our students is a long-term commitment to Singapore’s future. But we can already take steps today to prepare our current workforce and businesses to adapt and thrive in the new economy.

32.      At the national level, the Government has embarked on an Economic Strategy Review (ESR) together with our businesses, workers, and tripartite partners, to secure Singapore’s economic growth and create good jobs for Singaporeans in a changing world.

a.         The ESR committee gave a mid-term update in January and will publish its full set of recommendations in the middle of this year to reset, rethink, and refresh Singapore’s economic challenges.

33.      Our community shares the same concerns and aspirations. Many are concerned about how we can use and benefit from AI, and how we can navigate a more competitive job landscape. At the same time, our companies are keen to explore international opportunities, including in the region and the Middle East. We also have dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs, as well as workers who are keen to upgrade themselves to raise their productivity, develop new capabilities, and move up the value chain.

34.      I am glad that our community has been participating in the national conversation of Singapore’s economic future. What we must do now is to strengthen the nexus with the ESR’s recommendations, find tangible ways to secure good jobs and growth prospects for our community, and deliver them through the M³+ network.

a.         This could include helping our workers acquire new skills to respond and adapt to changes throughout their careers, supporting our businesses to capture the transformative powers of AI, and bringing our SMEs overseas to connect with potential partners.

35.      This is why we will be setting up a new Committee for Economic Resilience, or Jawatankuasa Daya Ekonomi, led by Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Saktiandi Supaat. Thank you for helping with the committee.

a.         The Committee will comprise corporate leaders and industry experts across various segments of our community, who will study the recommendations from the Economic Strategy Review, understand what it means for our community, and identify practical ways to better support our workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and young people

b.         And we will implement these strategies together with our partners under M³+, and our wider networks of Malay/Muslim and Indian Muslim organisations.

c.          This matters because we want our community to harness knowledge, develop capabilities, seize opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to succeed in a changing economy. In this way, our community can also contribute to the overall resilience of our economy in the midst of global uncertainty.

d.         As I shared earlier, I am grateful that Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Saktiandi Supaat will help lead this Committee, and I look forward to the valuable insights that our community representatives will bring to the table.

Strengthening Our Religious Life

36.      Securing our future is not just about economic readiness; it is also about spiritual strength. As we prepare for the future economy, we are also taking steps to strengthen our faith and religious life.

37.      Mosques and Islamic religious institutions remain central to our Muslim community, as spaces built by the generous contributions from our community over many decades. They are places for prayer, learning, guidance, and support, and are especially important anchors when the future seems unpredictable. They also enable our community to practice our faith with confidence and conviction in Singapore’s diverse society.

38.      That is why we continue to invest in our mosques and religious spaces thoughtfully, ensuring that we steward our funds well to meet the practical and spiritual needs of our congregants.

a.         For example, we announced yesterday that for this year's Hari Raya Haji, Jamae Chulia Mosque and Al-Istighfar Mosque will also offer local Korban spaces for the community.

Building and expanding our mosques

39.      We are also pressing ahead with our plans for new mosques in Tampines North and Tengah, while continuing the upgrading of existing mosques so that they remain accessible, inclusive and able to serve the changing needs of the community.

a.         Over the last few months, MUIS and Darul Ghufran Mosque have conducted community engagements, to hear your ideas for the design of the new mosque in Tampines North. Many of you raised the need for mosque facilities to serve key segments of the community, such as young families and elderly residents. We will incorporate these suggestions into the development of the new mosque, and will unveil the design of the mosque at a design roadshow later this year.

b.         At the same time, I also understand the pressing need for prayer spaces. As we wait for this new mosque to be built, I am pleased to announce that we will be building a new temporary prayer site near Al-Istighfar Mosque. This request has been raised during my visits to the mosque on multiple occasions. We will support the community’s request and ensure that everyone has a safe and comfortable space for their prayers. The temporary prayer site will be ready by Q4 this year, and will remain until the new mosque in Tampines North opens. This space will also accommodate the increasing demand during Friday prayers in Pasir Ris and the Changi industrial area.

c.          Alongside our developments in the East, we are also making progress on the new mosque in Tengah in the west. MUIS and the mosque committee will be commencing community engagements in the coming months, and there will also be a design competition for the new mosque. I invite members of the community to share ideas on how the mosque can better serve your needs, including ways to preserve the rich heritage of Al-Firdaus Mosque

40.      In addition to building new mosques, the MUIS Mosque Upgrading Programme is also underway to ensure that our mosques remain relevant, inclusive, and future-ready.

a.         I am happy to share that Ar-Raudhah Mosque will be upgraded over the next two years to rejuvenate the mosque, optimise its existing prayer spaces, and improve its facilities and accessibility features to better serve the community. Construction works will commence in Q3 2026, and we are looking to secure a temporary prayer site to minimise disruptions to congregants. I thank our colleagues from MUIS for their hard work and achievements

Nurturing the Next Generation of Religious Leaders

41.      Strengthening our religious life is not only about developing its spaces, but also about nurturing its people. Looking ahead, we must continue to develop a new generation of religious leaders who are grounded in Islamic scholarship, confident in Singapore’s diverse society, and able to guide the community with wisdom and compassion.

a.         Today, we see young, promising asatizah who are applying their skills in different sectors, including in the Public Service. An example is Ustaz Muhammad Zulkarnain Bin Azman, a MUIS officer seconded to the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY) to work on policies that support the Malay/Muslim community. Ustaz Zulkarnain’s background in Islamic Theology has enabled him to provide valuable perspectives on the religious life of the Muslim community and how they are adapted to Singapore’s context.

42.      We want to continue building the capabilities of asatizah like Ustaz Zulkarnain throughout their career, to provide them the skills and exposure to contribute beyond the religious sector. This will not only create broader employment opportunities for our asatizah, but also greater impact on the wider community.

43.      It is with this conviction that we are developing the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS). The SCIS will nurture future asatizah with strong religious foundations and practical skills, such as in counselling and social work, to serve in social and community organisations. And with a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s multicultural context, they will play a vital role in strengthening trust between communities and steering our community through the challenges of the future.

44.      To groom the next generation of religious leaders, we must ensure that our aspiring and current asatizah continue to be well supported.

a.         To achieve this, MUIS is developing a new leadership development programme for Tier 1 asatizah to strengthen their capabilities in the course of their career. This initiative will enable our asatizah to not only build deep religious scholarship, but also develop strong organisational skills, community engagement abilities, and adaptive leadership qualities to address contemporary challenges. MUIS will share more details later this year.

45.      I encourage our madrasah students and our asatizah to boldly pursue your aspirations, take advantage of these opportunities to broaden your horizons, and contribute to the community in more ways than one.

46.      Allow me to conclude in Malay.

Conclusion

47.      Sebentar tadi, saya telah berkongsi beberapa perkembangan penting yang wajar diberikan tumpuan oleh masyarakat kita. 

a.         Pertama, Pemerintah sedang memantau perkembangan konflik di Timur Tengah dengan penuh prihatin. Ramai di kalangan masyarakat kita turut rasa cemas, terutama tentang bagaimana konflik ini mungkin menjejas Singapura dalam bulan-bulan yang akan datang. Kami bersyukur kerana Singapura mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga dan memberikan sokongan kepada mereka yang memerlukan.

b.         Kedua, di Singapura, kami sedang berusaha untuk membangunkan masyarakat Melayu/Islam kita dengan:

                          i.               Pertama, mempersiapkan masyarakat kita untuk menggarap peluang masa depan melalui Jawatankuasa Daya Ekonomi yang dipimpin oleh Dr Wan Rizal dan Encik Saktiandi Supaat;

                        ii.               Memenuhi keperluan sosio-agama masyarakat kita, melalui perluasan ruang solat serta penyediaan lebih banyak pilihan korban tempatan; dan

                       iii.              Ketiga, menyokong lebih ramai anak-anak muda kita di institut pengajian tinggi dengan perluasan Subsidi Yuran Tuisyen Pengajian Tinggi (TTFS).

48.      Demi membina masyarakat yang teguh imannya, kukuh jati dirinya, serta mampu bersaing dan maju dalam ekonomi masa hadapan, kita perlu terus bersatu hati dan berusaha. Saya dan rakan-rakan sekerja komited untuk bersama-sama anda semua menyingsing lengan dalam usaha membangunkan masyarakat kita. Kami akan mencapai wawasan ini dengan bersikap rendah hati, dengan minda dan hati yang terbuka agar dapat memanfaatkan kebijaksanaan dan pengalaman kita semua.

49.      Dengan penuh harapan saya menyeru anda semua – tidak kira anda pelajar yang bercita-cita tinggi, ibu bapa yang gigih mendidik generasi akan datang, karyawan yang sedang sibuk membina kerjaya, mahupun pesara yang kaya dengan pengalaman – marilah kita bersatu hati dan sama-sama renungkan: Bagaimanakah saya dapat menjadi versi terbaik diri saya? Bagaimanakah saya dapat menyumbang untuk memperkasakan masyarakat kita untuk menghadapi masa hadapan?

50.      Acara malam ini bukan sahaja untuk memeriahkan sambutan Aidilfitri, tetapi juga peluang untuk kita sama-sama memperbaharui azam, harapan dan membuka lembaran baharu. Marilah kita mengorak langkah sebagai satu masyarakat yang berpegang teguh kepada nilai-nilai murni, agama, warisan dan budaya. Marilah kita berusaha untuk berjaya dalam ekonomi masa hadapan, dan beriltizam untuk saling menyokong pada setiap peringkat kehidupan kita. Kerana akhirnya “bulat air kerana pembentung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat”.

51.      Izinkan saya mengakhiri ucapan dengan serangkap pantun:

Syawal tiba disambut meriah

Hati disatu tekad diperkasa;

Bersatu berkhidmat dengan amanah

Masyarakat sepakat maju bersama.

52.      Sekian, terima kasih.

Wassalamualaikum Wr. Wb.