MUIS appoints new leaders for two madrasahs

1. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) today announced leadership transitions at two madrasahs under the purview of the Joint Madrasah System (JMS)¹, effective from July 2026.

2. Ustaz Dr Afif Pasuni and Mr Abdul Ghani Mohammad Isa will be appointed as Principal (Designate) at Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah respectively from 1 July 2026, before assuming full duties as Principal at both madrasahs from 1 January 2027. Mr Abdul Ghani's appointment follows the retirement of current Madrasah Al-Arabiah Principal Ms Aisha Abdul Manaf. Meanwhile, current Madrasah Aljunied Principal Mr Herman Cher Ma'in will continue serving as Superintendent of JMS (Secondary).

3. The change is part of MUIS’ continuing process of leadership renewal across its educational institutions to ensure our madrasahs continue to provide quality religious and academic education for our students.
   
   Incoming Principals

4. Ustaz Dr Afif Pasuni brings extensive experience in Islamic education, research, and policy development. He holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick. He previously served in research roles at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) before joining MUIS in curriculum development and completing Management & Leadership Studies (MLS) at National Institute of Education (NIE).

5. Mr Abdul Ghani Mohammad Isa contributes strong educational assessment and leadership experience, holding a Master of Education from NIE with experience across mainstream education, specialised education, and the madrasah sector.
   
   Transition and Recognition

6. The phased transition is designed to ensure continuity while giving incoming leaders time to prepare for their expanded responsibilities.

7. Ms Aisha Abdul Manaf leaves behind a distinguished 26-year legacy at Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah. She joined in 1999 and was appointed as Vice-Principal in 2003 and subsequently as Principal in 2023. Over the years, she strengthened the madrasah's Arabic language curriculum and Islamic studies department and was a strong advocate for student well-being.

8. Mr Herman Cher Ma'in, who has been double hatting as Principal of Madrasah Aljunied and Superintendent of JMS (Secondary) since April 2025, will focus fully on his role as Superintendent from 1 January 2027. In this role, he will oversee both madrasahs, responsible for monitoring school performance, driving improvement efforts and building leadership capabilities, while fostering closer collaboration between the two institutions through joint programmes and knowledge sharing.

9. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State of Home Affairs, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said the appointments reflected our long-term commitment to developing strong educational leadership within the madrasah system. "The change in leadership at our madrasahs reflects MUIS’ efforts to strengthen leadership development across its educational institutions. I thank outgoing Principals, Ms Aisha and Mr Herman for their service and wish them well in their future endeavours. They have laid strong foundations for incoming Principals Ustaz Dr Afif Pasuni and Mr Abdul Ghani Mohammad Isa. I am confident they will build on the good work of their predecessors and bring fresh perspectives and continued excellence to their new roles. I look forward to their contributions towards strengthening Islamic religious education and institutions" he said.

10. MUIS Chief Executive Mr Kadir Maideen said both incoming principals were well-placed to deepen each madrasah's integration with the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS). "As MUIS continues to invest in leadership development across our madrasahs, we are heartened to see this transition take place. We thank Ms Aisha and Mr Herman for their years of dedication, and welcome Ustaz Dr Afif Pasuni and Mr Abdul Ghani Mohammad Isa into their new roles. Both are well-placed to deepen each madrasah's integration with SCIS, and together, they will help equip madrasah graduates to contribute meaningfully to our Muslim community and to Singapore," he added.

11. The appointments are the latest milestone for the JMS, established in 2009 to enhance the quality of madrasah education. By bringing three madrasahs under an integrated framework that offers students diversified pathways to pursue holistic learning of religious and secular curriculum, while being rooted in Islamic tradition.

¹ The JMS, established in 2009, represents MUIS' integrated approach to Islamic education, bringing together 3 madrasahs under a unified framework. Under this system, Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah focuses on primary level education, while Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah provides secondary and pre-university level education and Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah offers secondary level education, each with distinct specialisation.