A new beginning for Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah

1. The new Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah (MAI) was a hive of activity earlier this morning, as the school moved into its new 5-storey campus. To mark the beginning in the new premise, students and teachers took part in the Hijrah (migration) Walk from the old to the new campus on the first day of school.

2. Some 350 students, along with 40 teaching and staff members and 30 guests were at MAI’s new campus at Toa Payoh Lorong 6, located just next to the old campus. The Madrasah also sees the new intake of Secondary 1 students who mark this milestone in their learning journey. The MAI building project which have been through a 20-month construction period, cost $17.5 million. It was co-funded by MUIS and the school’s fund-raising efforts backed by kind donors within the community.

3. Mr Herman Cher Ma’in, Principal of MAI thanked and congratulated the board of govenors, parents, donors and in particular teachers who helped develop the school from its humble beginnings in 1930s. The madrasah currently offers dual curriculum, placing strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, while still continue to teach Islamic subjects. With the aim to nurture a pool of future-ready leaders for the community, a strong foundation in the fields of STEM are incorporated as these are crucial areas to meet the demands of changing social and economic landscape.

4. Speaking to media at the sidelines of the school’s first day of operations, Mr Herman who has helmed the school’s leadership since 2011 expressed his delight at the success of the smooth migration and was glad to be part of this historic journey, from start to finish. Mr Herman said:

“At the end of the day when students leave the school, we hope they can become contributive Muslim to the community at large. If you compare to the previous building we have an additional science lab and other facilities here which allow teachers to engage students more meaningfully and enable them to try new pedagogies that will enhance learning experience. On behalf of MAI, I would also like to extend our thanks to MUIS and the community for all their kind contributions to fund the school new campus.”

5. For most students, the move is bittersweet. One student, 15-year old Imam Ghozali Othman, shares his many pleasant memories of the old campus.  The Secondary 3 student however, is ready for a fresh start and is looking forward to continue his secondary education at the new premise. 

“I feel quite sad as there were many fond memories from the old building having been there for the past two years with my friends and teachers. But I am sure that the new facilities here will enhance the learning for us students and also to create new fond memories as I embark on my ‘O’ level journey.”

6. In her Secondary 2 this new year, Faria Mehnaz Khan candidly shared her excitement and delight to finally attend classes at the new campus. She shared:

“Today we come to the new building that everyone have been anticipating for longest time and I am pretty sure all of us are in a lot of joy and excitement to be here. I am excited to enter the new classrooms which I believe will provide a more conducive learning environment and I also look forward to the wider range of food in the new canteen” chuckled the 14-year-old student.

7. To mark the move, MAI also unveiled its new school flag to commemorate the migration to the new campus. The unveiling of the flag and the move to the new compound was graced by Mr Esa Masood Chief Executive of MUIS along with other board members.

Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura