Mosque development
Constant regeneration of mosque leaders and volunteers is vital if mosques are
to remain relevant and dynamic. Indeed, 31% of those appointed to sit on the
Mosque Management Boards were new blood – with more coming from a younger age
group and from tertiary backgrounds.
In terms of mosque renewal activities, the Young Muslim Secretariat’s agenda of
creating youth wings at mosques has been realised. Eighteen Young Muslim Wings
(YMW) have been formed in mosques to help accelerate qualitative change to meet
the demands of our ever evolving society.
Haj
Further achievements had been made in the overall haj arrangements. The haj section
managed to obtain an additional quota of 500 for Singapore pilgrims performing haj.
In 1999, a total of 4,004 pilgrims per formed haj. Despite the economic downturn,
MUIS managed to fill the quota for Singapore pilgrims. The Singapore haj delegation
was led by MUIS council member, Syed Abdullah Haroon Aljunied, who also acted as
Manasik adviser. As in previous years, welfare and medical needs were met by five
doctors, 20 nurses and four Assistant Pilgrim Officers. In 1999, the Singapore
pilgrims were also accommodated at a fibreglass tent in Mina for the first time.
Various haj packages, including economy packages, had been provided by 28 appointed
travel agents. In the year too, the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Mr Abdullah
Tarmugi, led a Singapore haj delegation and met with the Saudi Minister for Haj to
obtain a higher quota for Singapore pilgrims. The meeting was a success, leading to
the quota being raised by 500 to 4,500 for the year 2000.
Halal certification
For 1999, new halal certification schemes such as the Food Preparation scheme
were introduced. The categories in highest demand for certification in the Food
Preparation scheme were supermarket halal-certified corners and catering services.
At the end of the year, 12 supermarket corners and four catering services were
given MUIS halal certification.
