The passing of Haji Shafawi bin Ahmad

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is deeply saddened by the passing of a highly respected community leader, Haji Shafawi bin Ahmad. His demise is a great loss to the Singapore Muslim community and the nation.

Almarhum Haji Shafawi bin Ahmad has contributed widely in various capacities and across several institutions and sectors including MUIS, Madrasah and the mosque sector. He was also a founding member of Yayasan MENDAKI since 1982.

Almarhum Haji Shafawi’s key contributions in MUIS began in 1986 when he was appointed a Council member. He served in this role until 2020, making him the longest serving MUIS Council member. He also assumed the position of Acting President of MUIS between January and June 1991 as well as the Vice President of MUIS from July 1991 to August 1995. During his service in the Majlis, Almarhum was involved in many policy making decisions aimed at improving the socio-religious life and welfare of the Singapore Muslim community. He discharged his responsibilities with deep commitment, dedication and critical thinking.

Almarhum Haji Shafawi’s other contributions include his role as Chairman of the Haj Pilgrimage Committee for more than two decades where he ensures the fair and effective allocation of the haj quota and the smooth-running of the annual haj operations as well as the safety and welfare of the pilgrims. He was also the Head of the Haj delegation on three occasions (1990, 1994 and 2005) where he led a team of doctors, nurses, haj welfare officers in providing medical and welfare officers to Singapore pilgrims. He represented MUIS at various meetings with the Saudi Haj Authorities to ensure compliance of directives from the authorities for the safety and security of Singapore Haj pilgrims.

Almarhum Haji Shafawi also had a significant footprint in both the mosque and madrasah sectors.

He was also an important contributor to the Mosque and Madrasah Sector. He was the Chairman of Masjid Al-Muttaqin (1988 – 1991). Being an educationist and understanding the power of education in transforming lives, he ensured that the mosque became a focal point for Islamic learning and social development in the neighbourhood.

As the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the National Madrasah Education in 2000, Almarhum Haji Shafawi and his team was critical in ensuring that the curriculum and educational standards of the madrasah is at par with the national benchmarks. His service to the madrasah continued in his role as a member of the Board of Governors for Madrasah Al-Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah (2008 – 2020).

At the national level, Almarhum Hj Shafawi also served on various boards and committees such as the National Committee Against Drug Abuse and Probation Committee. For his meritorious contributions, he was appointed a Justice of Peace in 1989 as well as member of the Presidential Council of Minority Rights (1996 – 2011). 

For his long and outstanding service to MUIS and the community, Almarhum was conferred the BBM, PBS, the MUIS 40th Anniversary (2009), SG50 (2015) and MUIS 50 Distinguished Awards (2018) & MUIS Anugerah Jasa Cemerlang in 2020.

MUIS would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Almarhum Haji Shafawi for their loss. May Allah s.w.t. shower His blessings for all his great deeds and contributions towards the well-being of both the community and nation.