Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Encyclopedia
The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Abbreviation
: MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore is a statutory board
in Singapore
. Its role is to look after the interests of Singapore's Muslim community.
The principal functions of MUIS are:
Under AMLA, MUIS is a statutory board of the Singapore
Government. It comes under the Ministry for Community Development, Youth & Sports, and under the direct supervision of the Minister-In-Charge of Muslim Affairs.
Its primary statutory role is to advise the President of Singapore
on all Islamic matters as well as the religious interests and issues faced by the Muslim Community in Singapore.
The Council comprises the President of MUIS, the Mufti of Singapore, persons recommended by the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs
and other persons nominated by Muslim organisations. All members of the Council are appointed by the President of Singapore.
The current President of MUIS is Haji Mohd Alami Musa and the Mufti of Singapore is Mohamed Fatris bin Bakaram.
The SIH, which is also known as the Hub of the Community, is a landmark of progress for Islamic development in Singapore.
The SIH comprises the Muhajirin Mosque (which symbolises Iman or Faith), Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah (Ilmu or Knowledge) and Muis Headquarters (Amal or Deeds).
In 2009, Muis certified more than 2,600 premises and has played an important role as the custodian of Halal food assurance for Singapore’s 15% Muslim population. Furthermore, the promising Halal food industry with the availability of many Halal-certified eating establishments has helped to foster social interaction between individuals from diverse racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
: MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore is a statutory board
Statutory boards of the Singapore Government
The statutory boards of the Singapore Government are organisations that have been given autonomy to perform an operational function. They usually report to one specific ministry.*Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Its role is to look after the interests of Singapore's Muslim community.
History and role
MUIS was established in 1968 when the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) came into effect.The principal functions of MUIS are:
- Administration of Muslim affairs e.g. zakatZakatZakāt , one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the giving of a fixed portion of one's wealth to charity, generally to the poor and needy.-History:Zakat, a practice initiated by Muhammed himself, has played an important role throughout Islamic history...
, wakaf (endowment), pilgrimage affairs, and halalHalalHalal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law...
certification - Construction and administration of mosques development and management
- Administration of MadrasahMadrasahMadrasah is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, whether secular or religious...
and Islamic education - Issuance of fatwas (religious rulings)
- Provision of financial relief to poor and needy Muslims
Under AMLA, MUIS is a statutory board of the Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
Government. It comes under the Ministry for Community Development, Youth & Sports, and under the direct supervision of the Minister-In-Charge of Muslim Affairs.
Its primary statutory role is to advise the President of Singapore
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
on all Islamic matters as well as the religious interests and issues faced by the Muslim Community in Singapore.
The Council of MUIS
The Council of MUIS is the overall decision-making body and is responsible for the formulation of policies and operational plans.The Council comprises the President of MUIS, the Mufti of Singapore, persons recommended by the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs is a position in the Cabinet of Singapore that oversees policies and issues related to the Muslim community in Singapore. In 1977, Dr. Ahmad Mattar was appointed Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs. Previously, there were no minister with a reference to Muslim...
and other persons nominated by Muslim organisations. All members of the Council are appointed by the President of Singapore.
The current President of MUIS is Haji Mohd Alami Musa and the Mufti of Singapore is Mohamed Fatris bin Bakaram.
Singapore Islamic Hub (SIH)
MUIS is located in the SINGAPORE ISLAMIC HUB (SIH) at 273 BRADDELL ROAD, SINGAPORE 579702.The SIH, which is also known as the Hub of the Community, is a landmark of progress for Islamic development in Singapore.
The SIH comprises the Muhajirin Mosque (which symbolises Iman or Faith), Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah (Ilmu or Knowledge) and Muis Headquarters (Amal or Deeds).
Halal Certifications
The Muis’ Halal services formally started in 1978. The move to set up its Halal Certification Strategic Unit was driven by the increasing demand for Halal-certified products and eating establishments, as well as the need to regulate the Halal industry.In 2009, Muis certified more than 2,600 premises and has played an important role as the custodian of Halal food assurance for Singapore’s 15% Muslim population. Furthermore, the promising Halal food industry with the availability of many Halal-certified eating establishments has helped to foster social interaction between individuals from diverse racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.