Fatwa Lab Symposium

Ustaz Dr. Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Mufti of Singapore

Mufti Dr. Nazirudin will speak on the core objective of the Fatwa Lab, which is to respond to the complex and multi-faceted challenges faced by the Muslim community through thoughtful, interdisciplinary research-based fatwas. Mufti will highlight how this process aims to nurture communities that are intellectually and ethically grounded, confident in their faith, and resilient in the face of modern challenges.

Ustaz Dr. Nazirudin Mohd Nasir was appointed as Mufti of Singapore in March 2020. As the chair of the Fatwa Committee, he takes the lead in providing guidance for the Muslim community's religious life. He is also a member of the Presidential Council of Religious Harmony, Singapore. Mufti Dr. Nazirudin is also the Chair of Steering Committee for the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS).

Prior to becoming Mufti, Dr. Nazirudin led religious policy and development work in MUIS. He has a wealth of experience in areas such as Islamic education, fatwa and religious policies, and interfaith and social cohesion work. He was instrumental in developing fatwas such as, cultivated meat, organ donation and joint-tenancy, and in formulating ethical positions on biomedical issues. In recognition of his exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was awarded the prestigious Imam Al-Qarafi Award in 2022 by the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, led by Egypt's Dar al-Ifta.

Dr. Nazirudin obtained his degree in Islamic law from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, as well as an M.A. (with distinction) in comparative law from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and an M.St. in religion from Oxford. He was conferred a D. Phil in the study of Abrahamic religions from the University of Oxford, UK. He was a Chevening scholar, Institute of Advance Studies of the Humanities-Alwaleed fellow at the University of Edinburgh, He was recently conferred Singapore’s Public Administration Service Medal (Silver).

H.E. Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Grand Mufti of Egypt

H.E. Dr. Nazir Ayyad will address the emerging challenges faced by fatwa institutions in an increasingly complex, globalised world. He will explore how new realities require renewed tools, methodologies, and institutional thinking to ensure that fatwas remain relevant, principled, and compassionate. In view of this, he will share his reflections on the Fatwa Lab approach, and how such a model can contribute meaningfully to a comprehensive religious guidance.

Dr. Nazir Ayyad earned a Bachelor’s degree in the Fundamentals of Religion (Theology and Philosophy) from the University of Al- Azhar in 1995. He later obtained a Master’s degree in 2000 and a PhD in 2003, specialising in Theology and Philosophy. He has taught at Islamic universities in Libya and Saudi Arabia as well as in Egypt, notably at Mansoura University and the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Girls in Kafr El Sheikh.

Dr. Nazir is a member of the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates, an organisation aimed at spreading Al-Azhar's moderate Islamic teachings and combating extremism. Additionally, Dr. Nazir is involved in Egypt's "Family House" which promotes interfaith harmony, and contributes to various initiatives, including environmental protection efforts and anti-addiction campaigns with the Ministry of Youth.

Dr. Saumya Shekhar Jamuar, Senior Consultant in the Genetics Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Dr. Saumya Shekhar Jamuar is a clinical geneticist at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and genomics co-lead of SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal Child Health Research Institute.

He strongly believes in using the advancements made in technologies related to genetics to improve the health of people. His training in paediatrics allows him to appreciate the severity of rare but lethal childhood illnesses and, more importantly, recognise the fact that a significant proportion of these illnesses have a genetic component.

Dr. Saumya holds an MBBS from National University of Singapore. He also holds a Membership of the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health (M.R.C.P.C.H), UK, and is a Fellow of Academy of Medicine (F.A.M.S), Singapore and American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, USA. He has completed his Clinical Genetics training from the Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Liu Shuling, Senior Consultant, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Dr. Liu Shuling is the Director of the KKIVF Centre and the National Sperm Bank in Singapore. She also serves as a Senior Consultant in the Department of Reproductive Medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), where she has contributed extensively to the field of fertility and reproductive health.

Dr. Liu is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and a Clinical Lecturer at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Ustaz Dr. Izal Mustafa Kamar, Deputy Mufti, Office of the Mufti, Singapore

Ustaz Dr. Izal Mustafa Kamar is currently the Deputy Mufti at MUIS. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Studies from the University of Technology (UTM), Raja Zarith Sofiah Center for Advanced Studies in Islam, Science, and Civilization, Malaysia. He graduated with a master's degree in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh from the University College of Da'wah, Beirut and Al-Azhar University for his bachelor’s degree.

Ustaz Dr. Izal joined MUIS in 2009 followed by the appointment as the Head of the Office of the Mufti, and Deputy Director (Office of the Mufti - Religious Policy).

In his experience for more than a decade, he has played an important role in managing fatwa research. He is involved in the development of fatwas on key issues, such as cultivated meat, joint tenancy, CPF and Insurance Nomination and is involved in matters related to astronomy (falak). He is currently also a member of the Bioethics Advisory Committee.