Singapore Mufti calls on MABIMS nations to strengthen the region's model of balance and moderation in religious life

1. Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, called on regional religious leaders and delegates to strengthen the values of balance and moderation that define Southeast Asian Islam, as a model of how Muslim communities can successfully navigate the modern world, thrive in multicultural societies, and drive sustainable progress and development.

Regional model of balance

2. Speaking to delegates from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore at Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Seminar – held in conjunction with the 49th SOM of MABIMS¹ on 15 October 2025 – Mufti observed that international discourse on Islam has traditionally focused on either Middle Eastern Arab nations or Muslim minority communities in Western countries, and therefore, often highlighted challenges and difficulties. While acknowledging the historical reasons for this focus, he noted that such perspectives may present an imbalanced view of the global Muslim experience.

3. "We should strive together to shift the world's attention eastward to the Southeast Asian region, where Muslims have long championed values such as balance and moderation. Not to seek recognition, but to provide an alternative example of how Islam can thrive in today's diverse and modern world," Dr Nazirudin stated.

4. Dr Nazirudin highlighted how the region's values of compassion, nobility and good character, combined with religious principles and healthy relationship between different races and religions, have helped create greater social harmony and stability.

Leadership as the key to achieving sustainable progress

5. Underscoring the importance of leadership in guiding communities achieve balance and sustainable progress, Dr Nazirudin outlined three essential qualities of religious leadership for the future:

   • Contextual understanding – leaders need to have the ability to navigate complexities and challenges unique to one’s society;

   • Visionary outlook – leaders should have high aspirations and clarity in what success looks like for the community and society;

   • Authenticity and integrity – leaders should have a deep conviction in, and embody the values and aspirations they stand for.

Singapore's religious leadership development

6. In this regard, Dr Nazirudin highlighted Singapore's commitment to develop future religious leadership through the Singapore College for Islamic Studies (SCIS), recently announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The institution aims to equip religious leaders with strong foundation in both traditional Islamic disciplines and the social sciences, incorporating contemporary skills and technologies to meet future needs.

A shared regional aspiration

7. Dr Nazirudin also addressed Singapore's multicultural context, where Muslims are able to maintain their religious identity and practices while actively contributing to national development. He noted that all segments of society have worked together for diversity as a factor that strengthens social cohesion and not weaken it.

8. Dr Nazirudin expressed confidence that through the MABIMS platform, the region can shape a model that is unique and rooted in its religious and cultural values—one that will benefit not only the Muslim society, but humanity as a whole. This, he said, is especially vital at a time when the world is lacking in successful models, amid growing confusion, imbalance in growth and development, and polarisation in political and social attitudes.

9. The 49^th Senior Officials' Meeting of MABIMS brings together senior religious officials from the four member countries to discuss regional Islamic affairs and cooperation under the theme "Strengthening the regional Muslim community in the journey towards success (Al-Falah)."

¹The Unofficial Meeting of Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (MABIMS)