Thriving in a Plural World: Principles and Values of the Singapore Muslim Community
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75mm THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE SINGAPORE MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF THE SINGAPORE THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES “THRIVING IN A PLURAL OUR VISION WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE SINGAPORE A Gracious Muslim Community of THRIVING IN A MUSLIM COMMUNITY” Excellence that Inspires and Radiates PLURAL WORLD: Blessings to All PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE This publication articulates anew the Singapore Muslim Identity (SMI), the religious values that underpin it and the OUR MISSION SINGAPORE MUSLIM COMMUNITY new horizons in the socio-religious life of Muslims in Singapore. It synthesizes To work with the community in key ideas generated from the various developing a profound religious life and ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF SINGAPORE discourses organized by Muis in shaping dynamic institutions FRONT FLAP a Gracious Muslim Community of Excellence that inspires and radiates blessings to all. A community that thrives OUR PRIORITY with diversity, and develops a profound religious life and dynamic institutions, To set the Islamic Agenda, shape in a multi-religious society, secular state Religious Life and forge the Singapore and globalized world. Furthermore, it Muslim Identity postulates the way forward for a thriving religious community based on continued critical reflection and mindful civic OUR CORE VALUES engagement. Integrity | Consultative & Inclusive | Transformational 75mm THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE SINGAPORE MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF THE SINGAPORE THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES “THRIVING IN A PLURAL OUR VISION WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE SINGAPORE A Gracious Muslim Community of THRIVING IN A MUSLIM COMMUNITY” Excellence that Inspires and Radiates PLURAL WORLD: Blessings to All PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE This publication articulates anew the Singapore Muslim Identity (SMI), the religious values that underpin it and the OUR MISSION SINGAPORE MUSLIM COMMUNITY new horizons in the socio-religious life of Muslims in Singapore. It synthesizes To work with the community in key ideas generated from the various developing a profound religious life and ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF SINGAPORE discourses organized by Muis in shaping dynamic institutions FRONT FLAP a Gracious Muslim Community of Excellence that inspires and radiates blessings to all. A community that thrives OUR PRIORITY with diversity, and develops a profound religious life and dynamic institutions, To set the Islamic Agenda, shape in a multi-religious society, secular state Religious Life and forge the Singapore and globalized world. Furthermore, it Muslim Identity postulates the way forward for a thriving religious community based on continued critical reflection and mindful civic OUR CORE VALUES engagement. Integrity | Consultative & Inclusive | Transformational THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE SINGAPORE MUSLIM COMMUNITY This publication is a commemoration of Muis’ 50th Anniversary. It documents Muis’ journey in developing religious thought leadership that shapes a thriving religious life of a Muslim Community of Excellence that radiates blessings to all. Researcher and Writer: Basma Abdelgafar Editor: Mohammad Hannan Hassan Editorial Team: Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Zalman Putra Ahmad Ali, Hanna Taufiq Siraj and Irwan Hadi Mohd Shuhaimy Copyright © 2018 Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura Published by Muis Academy Cover page design: Noor Iskandar Anyaman Cahaya, which refers to Weave of Light in Malay, is the theme coursing through the artistic facet of the conference. Inspired by the complexities of contemporary realities that of straying tension, consciousness, colours, rhythms, the act of weaving attempts to unify these nuances unto a radiating pattern quite emblematic of the Nusantara. The artwork depicts images of these diverse strands; the modern, the traditional, the East, the West, the nature, the concrete… thereafter, the process converges these layers into a symbiotic tapestry where Faith embodying Nur (Light) becomes the anchor of a volatile world. Like a nexus that offers a regenerative hope for an ever-dynamic future. Typeset and print by Hobee Pte Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN: 978-981-11-9313-2 Title: Thriving in a Plural World: Principles and Values of the Singapore Muslim Community. Printed in Singapore. THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD: PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE SINGAPORE MUSLIM COMMUNITY Basma Abdelgafar TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms i Foreword v Acknowledgements ix Introduction 1 PART 1: Principles and Values 1. Framework for a Community of Excellence 17 2. Attributes of a Muslim Community of Excellence 41 3. Clarifying the Foundational Religious Values 57 4. Essentializing Human Dignity 85 PART 2: Institutionalization of Principles and Values 5. Tradition and Authority Reframed 107 6. Reform and Fatwa in Practice 131 7. Principle-Based Approaches Manifested 157 8. Strengthening Socio-religious Institutions 177 Epilogue 203 Glossary 207 Bibliography 225 ACRONYMS i ACRONYMS aLIVE Learning Islamic Values Everyday AMLA Administration of Muslim Law Act ARB Asatizah Recognition Board ARS Asatizah Recognition Scheme CEDAW The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women CPF Central Provident Fund DF Islamic Discourse Framework DVP Distinguished Visitors Programme HBI Himpunan Belia Islam (Muslim Youth Assembly) HOTA Human Organ Transplant Act IECP Islamic Education Centres and Providers IRCC Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles IRO Inter-Religious Organisation Jamiyah Muslim Missionary Society JI Jemaah Islamiah JMS Joint Madrasah System KBE Knowledge-Based Economy MA Muis Academy MBF Mosque Building Fund MBMF Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund Muis Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) Pergas Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association Perdaus Association of Adult Religious Students Pertapis Islamic Theological Association of Singapore PRISM Programme for RISEAP Members PSLE Primary School Leaving Examination RICAP Religious Resilience, Inclusive, Contributive, Adaptive, Progressive RISEAP Regional Islamic Da‘wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific RLAF Rahmatan lil Alamin Foundation RO Restriction Order ROMM Registry of Muslim Marriages RRG Religious Rehabilitation Group SIES Singapore Islamic Education System SMI Singapore Muslim Identity FOREWORD FOREWORD v FOREWORD Five decades ago, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) was established as a statutory board under the Administration of the Muslim Law Act (AMLA) to advise the President of Singapore in matters relating to Islam and Muslims in Singapore and to administer religious affairs including endowments (awqāf) and charity (ṣadaqah), mosque building, madrasahs, pilgrimage, and collection of zakat. Fifty years on, we witness a more connected world which allows for social, economic, cultural and intellectual exchanges which inter alia contributes to the competition of ideas both in the online and offline domains. This development also demands of religions and religionists to rethink, review and reconsider how religion can and will continue to not only remain relevant but also contribute in guiding its followers in an increasingly fast-paced technologically driven world while staying true to its traditions, creed and values. Religions need to continue to play an important role in our daily lives yet maintain an open, secular public space that allows people of different faiths, cultures and tradition to peacefully coexist. The Singapore International Religious Conference 2018 and the launch of this book is part of Muis’ golden jubilee celebrations. It is a sharing of how Muis and the Singapore Muslim community has adapted and developed itself. Moving in tandem with Singapore’s progress in almost the same period, Muis too has evolved beyond its statutory function of administrating conventional Muslim affairs to a more strategic function in forging the Singapore Muslim Identity (SMI). As a communal project, the SMI is an endeavour to ensure that the Singapore Muslim community remains cognizant of and is responsive to life in a highly diverse and plural globalised society. Its primary aim is to crystallise specific Islamic attributes, values and teachings which have been part of the ethos of Singapore Muslim community which contributes to nation-building and full social citizenship for members of the Muslim community. Hence, the SMI drives Muis’ effort in shaping a progressive, moderate religious outlook with the community while being deeply rooted to religious traditions yet remain confident and thrive in a plural world. It serves as our guiding principles. This book and the International Religious Conference will further illuminate these principles, values and our aspirations as a minority Muslim community but with a burning desire to vi THRIVING IN A PLURAL WORLD dream big with a bigger heart for compassion, kindness and positive change for humanity. Muis and the Singapore Muslim community remains steadfast in its journey of excellence – to build a Muslim Community of Excellence that inspires and radiates blessings to all with a uniquely SMI-outlook that thrives with diversity and humbly serves humanity. Over the next five decades, and beyond, it