MUIS appoints 239 Mosque Management Board members for District East mosques

1. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) appointed 239 Mosque Management Board (MMB) members to serve in all 18 mosques located within the District East, at the District East Mosque Board Appointment Ceremony 2025 held at Masjid Al-Ansar today. Gracing the ceremony was Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

Mosques gearing for future challenges

2. This latest appointment has increased the total MMB membership by about 37% compared to the previous term, with 81 members serving their first term. The expansion marked significant leadership growth for District East mosques. The profile of MMB members continued to attract expertise and talent from various professions including lawyers, engineers, IT, educators and business owners, alongside religious scholars (asatizah). MUIS has also observed greater inclusion of women (Muslimah) and younger members, with 40% of MMB members being under 45 years old - reflecting an inclusive philosophy that helps mosques stay relevant and prepared for future challenges.

3. In his speech, Mr Kadir Maideen, Chief Executive of MUIS, was heartened to see the transformation taking place within the mosque leadership. “We are seeing more individuals from all walks of life with diverse talents coming forward to serve our mosques. This is a testimony of how our mosques have progressed in our efforts to remain relevant and responsive to current and future challenges.”

4. Among the new MMB members is Miss Sri Nur Asma-Ul-Husna Mohamed Hussain, 29, who will serve on Masjid Darul Aman's board. Her appointment reflected the younger generation's commitment to mosque leadership. "What inspires me most is the opportunity to serve the community that prays, learns, and grows within the mosque. Having benefitted from mosque programmes throughout my spiritual journey and working with youth, I feel a strong responsibility to give back," she shared. "This drives my desire to contribute as an MMB member, ensuring future generations can access the same meaningful opportunities that enriched my faith journey." As a first-time MMB member, she hopes to bridge generations through fresh perspectives in youth engagement and digital communication, ensuring the mosque remains a safe and welcoming space for people of all ages.

5. The diverse professional expertise of new board members was exemplified by Shahrez Shah Rahmansa Marican, 37, who will serve on Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu's board. As a first-time MMB member, he aims to leverage his background in training and digital transformation: "I look forward to contributing in areas where my background can be most valuable, particularly in training, development, and digital transformation," he shared. He plans to support capability development, enhance operational processes, and explore innovative community engagement methods to help mosques evolve as dynamic centres of knowledge, faith, and service.

Leadership continuity and strategic rotation

6. As part of the strategic leadership development, several experienced MMB members have been rotated to take on key appointments at different mosques within District East. This rotation system allows for the sharing of best practices and expertise across the district whilst fostering stronger inter-mosque collaboration and knowledge transfer.

7. Witnessing the ceremony, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said: “Strong mosque management ensures that resources are used wisely and that programmes meet the growing and diverse needs of the Singapore Muslim community. Every contribution is important, whether it is helping with religious programmes, youth activities, senior care, or administrative support. And our mosque volunteers work hard to ensure we provide impactful and quality programmes for our community.”

8. Continuing for a third term, Madam Zulraidah Mohamed Arsad, who will be serving as Secretary of Masjid Al-Mawaddah, noted significant developments and progress made by the District throughout her two previous terms at Masjid Kassim. "The District East focus groups - covering areas like Community Religious Life, Social Good, and Organisational Excellence - have successfully addressed our congregations’ needs while fostering a responsive, community-driven culture. Moving forward, our youth and senior-focused initiatives will provide mosques with strategic guidance for programme planning, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of these vital demographic groups with purpose and relevance."

9. The collaborative spirit among MMB members was evident as they prepared for the challenges ahead. Mr Muhammad Haikal Bin Mohamed Harun, who served previously at Masjid Al-Islah, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, as Vice-Chairman II of Masjid Kassim. "I'm excited to work with our newly appointed members, as each brings unique experiences and expertise that will strengthen our team. Our priority is building synergy and strategic planning to prepare the mosque for future challenges. We remain committed to building on existing legacies that serve both our Muslim community and the broader society."

Innovative learning and community support initiatives

10. District East mosques have adopted innovative approaches in delivering Islamic learning. Notable initiatives include QuranBit, a virtual Quranic learning platform launched by Masjid Wak Tanjong that now serves over 1,600 students through 90 qualified teachers, and Rumah Ngaji by Masjid Darul Ghufran offering home-based learning. The mosques have also embraced modern outreach through social media initiatives like The Talking Dome and The Ladies Minaret podcasts from Masjid Al-Istighfar.

11. The mosques in District East have also shown strong commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. The ZakatSD project piloted in District East in 2023, provides a “no wrong door” approach for financial assistance. It is now implemented at 61 mosques across Singapore. Other unique initiatives in District East include the Tazkiyah programme for former transgender inmates at Masjid Haji Mohd Salleh Geylang, and the Madanis programme for children with intellectual disabilities at Masjid Al-Istighfar. Masjid Al-Islah and Masjid Kampung Siglap have also initiated efforts to offer Islamic education for the hearing-impaired community.

Strategic vision for Singapore's mosque community

12. At the last One Mosque Sector Summit held in February 2025, the mosque sector has identified youth and seniors as key priorities for the next three years and beyond. Mosques are moving towards developing more creative programmes to attract more youths to participate and be connected to the mosque community. Plans are also being initiated to develop more senior-friendly spaces and programmes for seniors seeking spiritual and social engagement.

13. In addition, the mosque sector will continue to strengthen its organisational capabilities, service standards and operational delivery. This would include improving prayer facilities and raising the quality of delivery of Islamic learning and community services - as part of its commitment to better serve the community.

14. This appointment ceremony represented MUIS's commitment to nurturing a dynamic, responsive, and impactful mosque community that can serve the diverse and evolving needs of the Singapore Muslim community. Through these efforts, MUIS will ensure that mosques remain vibrant centres of spiritual life and community engagement for generations to come.