Speech by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah Haflah 2026

Ustaz Muhammad Azri Azman, President Muhammadiyah
Mr Khairul Anwar Mohamed Abdul Alim, Deputy Chief Executive MUIS
Ms Aisha Abdul Manaf, Principal of Madrasah Al Arabiah Al-Islamiah,
Members, Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah’s Board of Governors
Parents, Educators, Students,

Ladies & gentlemen.

1. Assalamualaikum wr. wb. Good morning to all.

2. I am very happy to come back, and I was very happy to have met the students and the teachers for their Dadah Itu Haram (DIH) campaign, and I also remembered I joined a similar evet a few years ago, if you remember – that was a Haflah event as well. And that was a nice moment, as a few years later when I engaged these students, they remembered. I am really proud of their progress. So I must really congratulate the teachers, parents and alumni, for continuing this journey in developing our students. I am very happy and touched by the warm welcome and I am pleased to be here in this meaningful Halfah Day.

3. As I entered the hall, I was greeted by eager students, proud graduates and supportive parents, a reminder that behind every student’s success is a family and community who believes in them. This is something as a fellow human being, we must remind ourselves to not forget the people who have contributed to our lives, to become what we are today. As a parent myself, I would like our children, me included, to not forget those who have contributed to our lives.

4. This is testament to the strong trust and support that Madrasah Al-Arabiah has built over the years. I commend Madrasah Al-Arabiah for its commitment to good governance, quality teaching and holistic education. Congratulations!

80th Anniversary of MAI - A Legacy of Ilm, A Future of Rahmah

5. On my way here, the signboard celebrating Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah’s 80th Anniversary caught my eye. MasyaAllah, eight decades is no small milestone. It speaks of perseverance, sacrifice and faith across generations.

6. Let me take you back to 1946 when MAI began as a humble madrasah, serving the neighbourhood around Haji Yusoff Mosque. Like many fledgling institutions of that era, MAI faced her share of challenges—limited funding, the constant struggle to raise resources, and the search for a suitable location that could provide a conducive learning environment for her students.

7. Yet, despite these early struggles, her dedication to serve and educate the young, never wavered. Teachers and staff remained loyal to the school, weathering every challenge, not just as colleagues, but as a family.

8. Then came the fire in 1965, which burnt the madrasah down. bringing operations to a devastating halt. But from these ashes, MAI rose once again to flourish as a trusted institution we know today. This remarkable recovery was made possible through the support from the community and the perseverance, dedication, and personal sacrifices of the teachers and staff. That same resilience and struggle continue to live on in the dedication we witness in the leadership and staff of this institution.

9. May this legacy continue to grow, InsyaAllah.

10. What makes this anniversary especially meaningful is how it brings together students, graduates, staff, parents, alumni, and partners, not just to celebrate but to reconnect. With the first Alumni Homecoming and Hari Raya gathering in April, we are reminded that education is more than what happens in classrooms, it is also about belonging, continuity, and returning to the place that helped shape who we are.

11. The theme “A Legacy of Ilm, A Future of Rahmah” captures this journey beautifully.

12. A Legacy of Ilm - means the past is not forgotten. Madrasah Al-Arabiah continues to draw strength from its founder, Shaik Omar Abdullah Bamadhaj, whose wakaf endowment continues to benefit students today. Guided by this foundation, the Madrasah has persevered through challenges, nurturing students who are grounded in faith and ready to contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s multi-religious and multi-racial society.

13. Today, we celebrate what education truly means – not just excellence in results but excellence in character. For example, our valedictorian, 16-year-old Laiqa Rasyiqah, excelled academically by achieving 8 distinctions for her “O” level examinations. Amazing ya? When I see this, MasyaAllah. I am very proud. Beyond academic success, she has served others through community initiatives locally and overseas, including installing water filters in Bintan and organising food distributions for families in need. She also volunteers at Sengkang General Hospital and aspires to become a doctor. Her story is a powerful reminder that each of us, can step up forward to serve others. I hope it inspires more to play an active role in the community and strive to be the best versions of themselves, wherever they be on their journey.

14. The second part of today’s theme, “A Future of Rahmah” speaks directly to our students. Knowledge is an Amanah. When we are given the opportunity to learn, we are also entrusted to uplift others with what we know. This principle aligns with the Madrasah’s mission "to develop future-ready learners who radiate blessings to all".

15. To our students, I encourage you to stay the course. The journey may have its challenges, but it is one filled with purpose and meaning. Our community looks to scholars who are grounded in faith, thoughtful in perspective, and guided by compassion in their service. Remember that you are never alone on this path — your families, teachers, and the wider community are always beside you, supporting and cheering you on.

16. Today, we honour your achievements. You do your families proud, you honour your teachers, and you carry forward the legacy of this Madrasah.

17. I am encouraged to see Madrasah Al-Arabiah graduates pursuing diverse pathways, whether as asatizah, doctors, lawyers, teachers, counsellors or professionals, contributing positively wherever they are placed. With SCIS on the horizon, Madrasah Al Arabiah graduates, like Mohamad Haikal bin Nazri, now a first-year IBDP student in Madrasah Aljunied, will have the opportunity to further their studies there and subsequently pursue their careers as asatizah. In fact, just a few days ago I answered a Parliamentary Question by Ms Hazlina about the SCIS I shared we will build the SCIS for Madrasah students. We are putting the best of minds there, the best people from the Islamic fraternity and the best of people who have the experience and knowledge to build a university. It is important to get the right people so that we can curate the best future for our students, children and future generations.

18. In Singapore we are blessed with one of the best education systems in the world. I was from MOE, and I must tell you, looking at our counterparts from overseas, and the standards of our education system, even though it is not perfect, it is amongst the best in the world. So I want our students to benefit from that. That is why we are bringing people from different backgrounds and expertise to help us in this journey.

19. To all graduates and award recipients, remain steadfast, resilient and purposeful. You represent the hopes and dreams of your families and the aspirations of our community. Continue to rise, give back, and inspire others.

20. Before we end, I just wanted to add some of my thoughts further. Today, we are living in a different world and to be honest, the world we live in requires a very strong grounding and balance, understanding the context of the global landscape including in Singapore and also what is happening around the world.

21. It will be very difficult to refer to the past years, because technology will shift our lives, whoever we are, whether we are asatizah, or if we come from a diverse educational background - we need to be united and together. The diversity will make it much more challenging for us to navigate because people will be more agitated as a human being you want to have our say. We think we are right, because these are our experiences and perspectives. But when diversity is not handled well, it becomes liability for the society. That is why we must always come together, engage, and build our society.

22. May Allah s.w.t. bless your journey ahead and grant you strength and wisdom and guide you towards success in all your endeavours.

23. Thank you.