Speech by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at Singapore Halal International Seminar

Mr Sa’at Abdul Rahman, President of MUIS;

Mr Kadir Maideen, Chief Executive of MUIS;

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen;

Assalamu’alaikum wr wb and good morning.

Introduction

1. I am delighted to join you at the inaugural Singapore Halal International Seminar today. Let me thank the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) for organising this timely and significant seminar. This gathering represents more than just a conference.

2. It is a convergence of minds and expertise from around the world, where regulators, halal certification bodies, and industry leaders come together to exchange knowledge, network and forge new partnerships. You collectively shape the future of the global halal ecosystem. And your presence here today underscores our shared commitment to advancing halal standards worldwide.

Singapore's strategic imperative and MUIS's role in Singapore's halal ecosystem

3. As a small nation with limited land and resources, Singapore imports most of our food. For our Muslim community, who make up about 15% of our population, this also means that we will need a steady supply of halal food imports. This reality makes halal certification critical to our food security. Beyond ensuring that our food products meet the religious requirements, it is about building up our network of partners to ensure that our people have reliable access to food they can trust.

4. As the sole halal authority in Singapore, MUIS ensures all halal-certified products and establishments meet the stringent Singapore’s Halal Standards. These standards, rooted in Islamic principles and international best practices, provides assurance to Muslim consumers and industry stakeholders through comprehensive audits and compliance checks.

5. At the same time, we must recognise the need to evolve with the changing global landscape – embracing digital tools, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting industry transformation. Beyond Singapore’s borders, MUIS actively collaborates with regional and international partners through strategic partnerships and mutual recognition frameworks towards building an integrated and resilient halal ecosystem for all.

Trusted global partnerships - Foreign Halal Certification Bodies

6. Halal Certification Bodies (FHCBs) are essential partners in our halal assurance ecosystem. As guardians of halal certification in their respective jurisdictions, FHCBs act as our trusted partners in ensuring that halal-certified food exported to Singapore meet the same high standards that we uphold locally.

7. Over the years, MUIS has built a strong network of recognised FHCBs to uphold integrity in cross-border halal assurance to support the growing demand of halal products in Singapore.

Enhanced FHCB recognition framework

8. Building on this strong foundation, I am pleased to announce our enhanced FHCB recognition framework. This transformation brings four key innovations: First, fully digital submissions that eliminate paperwork. Second, a structured fee framework for long-term sustainability. Third, rigorous online competency assessment that raise professional standards industry-wide. And fourth, real-time application tracking that will enable FHCB to monitor the status of their application and recognition.

9. This enhanced framework is part of our digital transformation efforts to streamline the application process whilst maintaining high halal certification standards. These improvements provide greater clarity on MUIS’s recognition of FHCBs and assurance to the industry in streamlining work processes. Ultimately, it will also give local consumers greater confidence in the integrity of imported halal-certified products available in our market.

10. On the local scene, MUIS will also be introducing digital Halal certificate (e-certs) for halal certified establishments and products, marking significant step towards digitalising Singapore’s halal certification ecosystem from 1st October 2025. This initiative leverages advanced technology to enhance certifications integrity and accessibility while supporting Singapore’s digital transformation goals. Each certificate features a QR code that provides instant access to certification details.

Conclusion

11. I am glad that Singapore's halal food certification standards have been a symbol of trust over decades, and hopefully in the wider region. They embody Singapore's unwavering commitment to meet strict quality standards to serve both our diverse local community and global food industries. Additionally, it is also a collaborative effort by different players in the industry to work together – not just exchanging best practices, but strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and creating new opportunities for partnership and growth.

12. As we continue this journey together, let us strengthen our partnerships and uphold the trust that consumers place in us. Through our collective efforts, we can ensure the halal ecosystem remains strong, credible, and responsive to our communities' needs.

13. Thank you, and I wish you all a meaningful and fruitful seminar ahead.