Brief remarks by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at the One Mosque Sector Townhall 2025

Mr Khairul Anwar, Deputy Chief Executive, MUIS,
Mr Azree Rahim, Deputy Chief Executive, MUIS,
Respected mosque leaders, staff and volunteers,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Assalamu'alaikum wr wb

Reflect on engagements and thanking mosque leaders

I am honoured to be here with you today for the One Mosque Sector (OMS) Townhall. Since stepping into this role, I have had the privilege of visiting mosques across all our districts. At every visit, I saw firsthand the unwavering dedication of our mosque leaders, staff and volunteers who serve the community with sincerity and excellence.

2. Each of you play a vital role in uplifting and strengthening the Singapore Muslim community. Your service ensures that our mosques remain as trusted pillars of support and guidance for our people. Thank you for continued commitment and heart.

Central role of mosques in shaping Community Religious Life (CRL)

2. Our mosques today are more than places of worship. They have evolved into dynamic community hubs guided by the four goals of Community Religious Life (CRL): Worship, Learn, Guide, and Connect. Our mosques therefore play a vital role in strengthening our social fabric and prepares our community for the challenges ahead. And there is more we can do, through our mosques, to uplift and advance our community.

3. Community Religious Life (CRL) is essential because our community looks to our mosques for clarity, compassion and consistency in purpose. In today's dynamic environment with diverse perspectives and evolving community needs, CRL provides the framework for our mosques to develop Confident Muslims with deep conviction in their faith, nurture Resilient Families who can overcome adversity with patience and trust in Allah and build an Empowered Community that transforms society through collaboration.

4. Since the launch of the CRL framework at the OMS Summit 2025, we have seen steady progress in engaging youth and seniors, and in building stronger capabilities for Islamic spiritual care.

Acknowledge collaborative work & campaigns

5. I am impressed by the collaborative spirit across the mosque sector. This year, we saw strong sector-wide efforts, especially during Ramadan and through QuranSG programmes, Maulid celebrations and Korban operations, made possible by the strength of working together as One Mosque Sector. From Ramadan programmes like the Night of Power to the Mosque Comms Network's coordinated outreach across more than 50 mosques, and successful Korban operations fulfilling 5,700 orders locally and overseas.

6. It is not just about organising programmes. These programmes demonstrate that our mosques continue to remain relevant to the community in meeting their needs and that the mosque sector can work as one to deepen engagements and build trust with the community. This is particularly important in today's digital landscape where misinformation and conflicting narratives can create confusion. Mosques act as steady anchors of unity and calm, providing authentic guidance when our community needs it most. Alhamdullilah, well done!

Initiatives for youth and seniors

7. Our focus on youth, seniors and Islamic spiritual care is a strategic response to these changing community needs. Young Muslims today navigate complex identity questions whilst being exposed to diverse online influences and alternative narratives that may not align with our values. Meanwhile, our seniors require more socio-emotional and spiritual support as they progress towards their twilight years and experience health challenges.

8. Without strengthening these areas, we risk our youths becoming disconnected with the mosque and the community. Similarly, our seniors may live in isolation without adequate spiritual care and support during their most vulnerable moments. This is why your leadership is critical.

9. Through initiatives like NextGen25: SG Mosque Youth Symposium, Santunan Emas for seniors and the development of Islamic spiritual care and guidance capabilities, our mosques are well-positioned to address these needs of youth and seniors, and those who seek to address their spiritual well-being. This would mean building a pool of asatizah at mosques with the competencies to be present, listen and journey with compassion with those in need whether to deal with anxiety, grief or trauma. We have started such efforts through FITRAH and BersamaMu. We could certainly do more to support various segments in the community. such as getting asatizahs to perform the role of listeners and spiritual care providers, our mosques are well-positioned to address these needs of youth and seniors, and those who seek to address their spiritual well-being

Commend support for vulnerable groups

10. Our mosques demonstrate the moral leadership expected of them that is to serve with dignity, look out for the vulnerable and model compassion in everything that we do. This is a fundamental Islamic obligation that defines our community's character. Through initiatives like ZakatSD@Mosques, our mosques provide services and support that are accessible and reach those who need it most.

11. Your exemplary work with migrant workers, individuals with special needs and other underserved groups embodies the highest Islamic values by ensuring no one is left behind. These efforts demonstrate true leadership in action, reflecting our commitment to justice and mercy for all.

Vision for the future & mosque support

12. My vision for our community is to be spiritually grounded, to look after one another, to be progressive, to stand with dignity and to remain united. Together, we must build a "Cohesive, Connected and Impactful Mosque Sector" that embodies these values. This is not merely an aspiration; it is our calling as a Muslim community in Singapore.

13. This vision only becomes real when every mosque leader, staff, volunteer and religious leader sees themselves as part of the same mission. The way a mosque responds, with wisdom, calm and responsibility, will shape the tone for the rest of the community. Your leadership sets the standard for how we navigate challenges, embrace opportunities and demonstrate our values to the wider society.

14. I call upon you to aim higher and think bigger. Our mosques must be more than places of worship. They must be centres of excellence that inspire, unite and elevate our entire community.

15. The CRL Steering Committee, co-chaired by our Mufti, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, and Chief Executive MUIS, Mr Kadir Maideen, has been established to provide strategic direction for the community’s religious needs. This is supported by a new $1 million CRL Collaboration Fund to drive innovative programme development towards this goal.

16. I am confident that the CRL Steering Committee will provide the leadership and guidance that will enable our mosques to create a more vibrant community religious life that strengthens the connections between the mosques, the community and the wider Singapore society. This can only be achieved through strong partnerships with various public and private organisations.

17. Strong partnerships help us respond faster to challenges and efficiently reach more people to scale our impact. Through working together with M³, PPIS, Muhammadiyah, Health Promotion Board, Agency of Integrated Care, National Youth Council, Harmony Circles, MHA, CNB and others, we leverage collective expertise and resources to serve our community and nation more effectively.

Look forward to dialogue

18. Today’s dialogue is a valuable opportunity for us to come together to discuss the issues affecting our Muslim community. Your insights from the ground help us better understand the daily realities and emerging needs faced by our congregants. I look forward to hearing your ideas on how we can work together to ensure our mosques remain relevant, responsive and impactful.

19. With your dedication, I am confident our mosque sector will continue to rise to future challenges, serving as sources of strength, wisdom and unity. Thank you.

20.Please allow me to address briefly in Malay.

[In Malay]

21. Berbesar hati dapat bersama anda semua hari ini di Perhimpunan Sektor Satu Masjid. Sejak dilantik sebagai Pemangku Menteri bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam, saya berkesempatan mengunjungi masjid-masjid di merantau Singapura dan kagum melihat dedikasi luar biasa para pemimpin masjid, kakitangan dan sukarelawan kita yang berkhidmat dengan penuh komitmen dan keikhlasan.

22. Masjid-masjid kita kini telah berkembang menjadi pusat-pusat masyarakat yang dinamik. Seperti badan-badan agama yang lain, masjid-masjid kita memainkan peranan penting dalam mengukuhkan perpaduan sosial dan menyokong masyarakat yang lebih harmoni di Singapura. Kita dapat lihat kemajuan yang memberangsangkan melalui inisiatif kolaboratif seperti kempen Ramadan, Korban, program QuranSG dan sambutan Maulid, yang mencerminkan kekuatan Sektor Satu Masjid. Saya juga bangga melihat sikap tolong-menolong dan sokongan yang diberi kepada inisiatif ZakatSD@Mosques di 61 masjid bagi membantu mereka yang memerlukan. Dengan visi ‘Sektor Masjid yang Padu, Terhubung dan Berimpak’, kita bersedia menghadapi masa depan dengan penuh keyakinan.

23. Semoga dedikasi dan semangat kerjasama ini terus menjadi sumber kekuatan dalam membimbing ummah ke arah kebaikan, InsyaAllah. Izinkan saya menutup dengan serangkap pantun:

Bunga melur harum semerbak,
Mekar mewangi di pagi hari,
Pemimpin amanah bijak bertindak,
Membimbing ummah ke jalan Ilahi.

Terima kasih.