NDR 2024: New Singapore College of Islamic Studies to nurture future Islamic leaders

SINGAPORE – A new Islamic college which has been in the works for eight years is coming to fruition.

Speaking in Malay, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his first National Day Rally address on Aug 18 that the college will be called the Singapore College of Islamic Studies.

As the “newest project” for the Malay/Muslim community, it will nurture future Singapore Islamic leaders, he added. More details will be shared when they are ready.

The college was mooted in 2016 by then Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.

The goal is to train religious scholars and teachers, also known as asatizah, who are able to provide sound and relevant religious guidance to Muslims in Singapore’s multiracial and multi-religious context. 

Since then, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has gone on study trips to Islamic colleges in countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Morocco, Britain, the US and Canada to better understand how such programmes can be formatted.

In 2022, Muis opened a five-storey campus in Bencoolen Street for a postgraduate programme called the Postgraduate Certificate in Islam in Contemporary Studies to upskill asatizah.

At the time, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said the campus would allow Muis to build local expertise and expand its networks with local and foreign scholars, as well as academic institutions. He characterised this as a key step towards the long-term plan to develop the Islamic college.

On Aug 18, PM Wong said he was committed to continue what his predecessors had done in working closely with Malay/Muslim leaders on many issues. These include improving educational attainment, countering radicalisation and terrorism, and uplifting vulnerable segments, he said.

“We have dealt with such issues head-on with courage,” he said.

“Each time, the Malay/Muslim community has rallied together, full of determination, and with a strong sense of gotong-royong. You have always looked out for each other and celebrated your successes together.”

Gotong-royong is a Malay term that captures the ethos of mutual assistance within the community.

Addressing Singaporeans, PM Wong added that he values all feedback and views, and will work with people to address issues close to their hearts.

“I will ensure that everyone in the Malay/Muslim community benefits from our nation’s progress and is able to play a full role in shaping our nation’s future,” he said.

He also said he will support the community in its efforts to become modern and progressive, while still maintaining its distinctive customs and way of life.

“I will continue with our engagements and ensure our Malay/Muslim community continues to make progress. Together with our Malay/Muslim ministers, Members of Parliament and community leaders, I will work with you to realise our vision – the vision of a community of success,” he added.

PM Wong also gave an update of his progress in learning Malay – a language he said he was familiar with as a child but did not manage to learn properly. 

His parents had sometimes spoken in Malay between themselves, given that his father was from Ipoh in Malaysia and his mum from Kampong Amber, a village that existed in the area between East Coast and Amber roads in Singapore, he pointed out.

“I am diligently learning it now. I hope that my Malay will improve,” PM Wong said, as he thanked those who had encouraged him along the way.

PM Wong also said he sometimes meets the Malay friends he made during his school days at Haig Boys’ and Tanjong Katong Secondary Technical School. 

These friends have done well and their children have grown up, he added, noting that the Malay community has made significant progress over the decades, in tandem with Singapore’s own progress. 

Among younger Malays, he sees even more who are well educated and who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields, he said.

One example he raised was Ms Guy Ghazali, a former district judge and assistant registrar in the Family Justice Courts, who was made the first female senior president of the Syariah Court in 2020.

The 41-year-old has paved the way for future generations of female leaders, with her professional excellence and community efforts marking a significant milestone in the legal profession, PM Wong said.

MPs who spoke to The Straits Times after PM Wong’s Malay speech showed support for the new Islamic college.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) said the school will add to the diversity of platforms for aspiring Islamic leaders in Singapore, while Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) sees the move as a way to hone young religious and community leadership at the national level and on the world stage.

“A college of this standing would put any of our graduands, our young asatizah, at an advantage in the region,” Mr Zhulkarnain said.

“It also makes sure our Singapore brand of multiculturalism, and being multi-religious, remains intact, and that we can straddle the progress of our nation while preserving our roots and our values,” he added.

Mr Rizal Anwardeen, who is part of the Henderson Community Club Malay Activity Executive Committee, added that there is a demand for Islamic studies in Singapore.

Such tracks are rare and would require people to go overseas for further studies, the 42-year-old said.

Read more: Key announcements from PM Wong’s first National Day Rally

Watch PM Wong’s National Day Rally speech here: