Speech by Chief Executive of MUIS, Mr Kadir Maideen at Wakaf Disbursement 2026

Members of the MUIS Council and Finance Committee

Beneficiaries of Wakaf and esteemed Wakif

Mr Azree Rahim, Deputy Chief Executive of MUIS

Mr Azam Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of Warees Investments Pte Ltd

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

1. Alhamdulillah, it is my pleasure to join all of you at this year’s Wakaf Disbursement Ceremony. Today is a celebration of Wakaf and the lasting good it brings to our community.

2. I am especially pleased to see our Wakif, beneficiaries and community partners here today. Thank you for being part of this important journey.

Wakaf is a lasting legacy

3. Wakaf is one of the most beautiful forms of sedekah jariah. A single act of giving continues to benefit others for many years. A Wakaf property may support a mosque. It may educate a student. It may help a family through difficult times. It may even provide dignity to someone at the end of life.

4. Many of those who benefit will never meet the Wakif. Yet they continue to benefit from that generosity. That is the extraordinary beauty of Wakaf. Every Wakaf is also an amanah. It is a trust. We all have a responsibility to honour the wishes of every Wakif and ensure their legacy continues for generations.

More than $8 million for the community

5. Alhamdulillah. I am delighted to announce that MUIS will disburse $8.48 million from the income generated by MUIS-administered Wakaf this year. About $4.5 million will go to beneficiaries in Singapore. This is a 6.6% increase from last financial year. Another $3.98 million will be disbursed to overseas beneficiaries in accordance with the intentions set out in the respective Wakaf deeds.

6. This year alone, Wakaf disbursements will support 18 mosques, seven full-time and part-time madrasahs, and 30 Muslim organisations in Singapore. It will strengthen our mosques. It will support Islamic education. It will help organisations care for seniors, vulnerable families and those facing hardship. It will also continue supporting community burial needs and eligible family beneficiaries.

7. These numbers tell an important story. Every dollar fulfils the wishes of a Wakif. Every dollar helps someone. Every dollar continues a legacy of giving.

A story that inspires

8. Behind every Wakaf is a story. Today, we are honoured to recognise Mdm Mahiran Abdul Rahman, the Wakif of Wakaf Hajjah Maimunah Binte Abdul Karim, which was vested last year. She has endowed a property valued at $5 million. It will benefit Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah and her grandchildren, according to the Wakaf deed.

9. What inspires us is not only the value of her contribution. It is her decision to create something that will continue benefitting others long after her lifetime. Her story reminds us that Wakaf is still very much alive today. Every new Wakaf creates new opportunities for future generations.

Everyone can be part of Wakaf

10. Some people think Wakaf is only for those who own property. That is no longer the case. Through Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura, everyone can contribute according to their means. Every contribution matters. Together, many small contributions become a lasting endowment for our community. This reflects the spirit of gotong-royong. When we give together, we build something much bigger than ourselves.  I encourage individuals, families and businesses to be part of this shared legacy.  

Safeguarding the amanah

11. Under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA), MUIS is entrusted to safeguard the Wakaf. MUIS’s responsibility is clear. MUIS must ensure Wakaf assets continue generating sustainable income for the beneficiaries named in every Wakaf deed. This is about more than managing properties. It is about protecting an amanah. Every decision is guided by one principle. MUIS must honour the intentions of every Wakif while ensuring future generations continue to benefit from their generosity.

Closing

12. Today's disbursements are made possible by Allah's grace, the generosity and foresight of our wakif and forefathers, and the dedication of everyone working behind the scenes.

13. I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Board of Directors, management, and staff of Warees Investments. As MUIS's wholly owned subsidiary, Warees plays a vital role in safeguarding our Wakaf assets through the day-to-day management of tenancies, maintenance, and asset enhancement. Their dedication and professionalism help ensure that Wakaf properties remain sustainable and continue to generate returns that benefit our mosques, madrasahs, charitable organisations, and the wider community. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to preserving this amanah for future generations.

14. I thank MUIS Finance Committee, Warees Investments, our beneficiaries, community partners and the officers at MUIS for carrying this amanah faithfully. The true value of Wakaf is not the amount announced today. It is the lives that has been impacted by contributions from this long-lasting act of giving legacy.

15. Please allow me to address briefly in Malay.

Para hadirin yang saya hormati,

16. Alhamdulillah, pada tahun ini MUIS akan mengagihkan sebanyak $8.48 juta daripada hasil Wakaf yang diuruskan oleh MUIS. Dana ini akan dimanfaatkan oleh masjid, madrasah, pertubuhan masyarakat Islam serta golongan yang memerlukan, selaras dengan hasrat para wakif.

17. Wakaf bukan sekadar sumbangan. Ia adalah satu legasi yang berterusan. Setiap sumbangan yang diwakafkan akan terus memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat, bukan hanya untuk hari ini, tetapi juga kepada generasi akan datang.

18. Sebagai pemegang amanah, MUIS akan terus memastikan setiap Wakaf diuruskan dengan baik supaya hasrat para wakif terus dipelihara dan manfaatnya dapat dinikmati oleh mereka yang berhak. Saya berharap lebih ramai anggota masyarakat akan bersama-sama menyumbang melalui Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura agar kita dapat terus membina legasi kebaikan untuk masa depan.

19. I hope today’s ceremony inspires more members of our community to become part of this legacy. Every contribution matters. Every Wakaf makes a difference. May Allah s.w.t. accept the deeds of all our Wakif, reward them abundantly, and guide us in fulfilling this amanah with wisdom, integrity and compassion.

Thank you.