Family development
The past two years had been economically trying times for many members of the
Muslim community because of the regional recession and assistance had been
appropriately rendered. More importantly, major plans had been implemented.
These included the Baseline Research And Needs Survey. A study on ‘Divorce
Among Malay/Muslims in Singapore’ has also been conducted.
A public education campaign comprising a radio programme, TV advertisements,
press ads and a quiz also went into full swing.
An on-line matchmaking programme was given a pilot run at four centres. MUIS
also completed the redevelopment of the Marriage Guidance course with changes
to the Marriage Preparation Course curriculum and the training of 20 trainers
to run the programme.
Rehabilitation programmes
Rehabilitation programmes for the homes were enhanced. In 1999, four teachers/
counsellors were assigned to conduct Islamic religious classes-cum-counselling
sessions in the Singapore Boys’ Home, Singapore Boys’ Hostel and Bukit Batok
Hostel. About 145 Muslim residents benefited from this new arrangement. To sharpen
the focus of the rehabilitation programmes in the centres, MCS-SANA has agreed to
take over these programmes with effect from 2000. MUIS will provide the annual
grant for the programmes.
Administration of converts
MUIS ensures that all Muslim converts are equipped with a basic knowledge of
Islam. In an effort to improve the daily registration of converts, an Intranet
Conversion System was implemented in July.
This system not only reduces the man-hours required to register new converts but
also creates a database on them.
