Appointment of the new Fatwa Committee (2025-2028)

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is pleased to announce the appointment of the new and expanded Fatwa Committee (Legal Committee), welcoming seven Full Members, as well as 22 Senior Associate and Associate Members who will support the Mufti in Fatwa deliberation for the term 2025-2028. The expansion of Full and Associate members reflects MUIS's commitment to addressing the evolving religious needs of Singapore's Muslim community. The Fatwa Committee’s three-year term has begun from 7 August 2025 and will end on 6 August 2028.

Enhanced representation and expertise

2      The Fatwa Committee serves as a platform to nurture the next generation of Asatizah in providing contextualised guidance to the Muslim community. The expansion of the Committee marks a significant step forward, with more Asatizah appointed as members of the Fatwa Committee following an amendment to Section 31(1) of Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966 (AMLA)¹. This move reflects the growing challenges and complexities that lie ahead, and the need for the Fatwa committee to strengthen its composition to effectively address increasingly complex and multi-dimensional issues faced by Singapore’s Muslim community.

3      The expanded Committee will see a broader representation of Asatizah from diverse backgrounds and organisations. Among the 22 Senior Associate and Associate Members, there are four new members whose expertise include research, curriculum development and social issues. The new Committee also includes more female Asatizah, who will bring with them their unique expertise and perspectives. This enhanced representation will further enrich the Committee’s ability to provide robust and holistic guidance.

4      Refer to Annex A for details of the Fatwa Committee and its role, and Annex B for the list of Fatwa Committee members for the term 2025-2028.

Continuing excellence through senior associate membership & robust secretariat support

5      In line with MUIS’s 8M3YP initiative to build a confident and resilient Muslim community by nurturing trust and confidence in religious leadership and guidance, MUIS will continue the Senior Fatwa Associate sub-category membership that was first introduced for the term 2022-2025, which played an important role in supporting the Committee in issuing key Fatwas during its term. Refer to Annex C for the key fatwas issued during the term 2022 - 2025.

6      The Fatwa Committee's work is supported by its Secretariat residing in the Office of the Mufti (OOM), which is headed by the Secretary, Deputy Mufti Ustaz Dr Izal Mustafa Kamar. Additionally, Deputy Mufti Ustaz Dr Mohd Murat Md Aris holds the position of Fatwa Senior Associate member. Meanwhile, Ustaz Dr Mohamad Hannan Hassan who has left his position as Deputy Mufti in MUIS will continue as a Fatwa Senior Associate member contributing to the Fatwa Committee. The Secretariat also comprises of Deputy Secretary, Ustazah Raihanah Halid and other MUIS officers.

Inaugural Al-Imam Al-'Izz Award

7      The Fatwa Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony also features the inaugural Al-Imam Al-’Izz Award for Excellence in Fatwa. This award draws inspiration from the exemplary scholarship of Al-Imam 'Izz al-Din ibn 'Abd al-Salam (587/588-660H), who is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and Maqasid al-Shariah and his ability to combine scholarly rigour with practical wisdom.

8      The inaugural Al-Imam Al-'Izz Award recognises Fatwa Members who demonstrate similar excellence in developing fatwas that address modern challenges while maintaining Islamic principles, which in turn shape and enhance Singapore’s Islamic jurisprudential landscape. Similar to the MUIS Awards, the Al-Imam Al-‘Izz Award aims to be the pinnacle recognition for excellence in Fatwa development.

9      The award recipients for 2025 are:

• Ustaz Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, Former Mufti of Singapore (2011- 2020)

• Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, Fatwa Committee Member (1992-1998, 2004-2007, 2013-present)

10      Refer to Annex D for details of the recipients of the Al-Imam Al-’Izz Award for Excellence in Fatwa.

MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM SINGAPURA

¹ Section 31(1) of Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966 (AMLA) took effect on 7 August 2025, in which the Legal (Fatwa) Committee of MUIS shall consist of the Mufti; and not more than 8 other fit and proper Muslims. 7 full members, excluding the Mufti have been appointed for the upcoming term.