Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad assured lawmakers that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore will maintain equilibrium between developing the new tertiary institution and supporting broader community needs. The state is underwriting critical non-religious infrastructure, but the institution will still rely on private donations and sponsorships to operate. Operations will commence with an intake of 60 students in 2028 before eventually scaling up to 120 admissions annually. Concurrently, separate legislative updates were introduced to grant the Syariah Court expanded powers to protect children during contentious cross-border custody battles.
Key points
Existing community funds such as zakat and the MBMF will not be diverted away from mosque…: Existing community funds such as zakat and the MBMF will not be diverted away from mosques, madrasahs, or low-income households.
The new Islamic college must actively secure sponsorships and conduct independent fundrai…: The new Islamic college must actively secure sponsorships and conduct independent fundraising alongside receiving government financial support.
Upcoming reforms to the Administration of Muslim Law Act will bolster procedural discreti…: Upcoming reforms to the Administration of Muslim Law Act will bolster procedural discretion and safeguard child welfare in divorce disputes.
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- SCIS will not take funds from other Muslim needs, Zaqy said. Muis will balance support for the college with mosques, madrasahs, religious education and low-income families.
- MPs asked for clear rules on zakat and MBMF use. Zaqy said spending will follow Muslim law, be shown in annual reports, and SCIS must also raise funds and sponsorships.
- The Syariah Court is adding faster safeguards for child abduction and divorce cases. It can speed up urgent hearings, use more evidence in fasakh cases, and keep child contact with parents.
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SINGAPORE – The setting up of Singapore’s first Islamic college will not come at the expense of other needs in the Muslim community, even if community funds such as zakat and the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) are used to support it.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad said on Nov 4 that Muis will continue to balance its support for the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) against the needs of mosques, madrasahs, religious education and lower-income families.
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