Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

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The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Abbreviation: MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Chinese: 新加坡回教理事会) is a statutory board in Singapore. Its role is to look after the interests of Singapore's Muslim community.

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[edit] History and role

MUIS was established in 1968 when the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) came into effect. It is responsible for the promotion of religious, social, educational, economic and cultural activities in accordance with the principles and traditions of Islam as enshrined in the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah.

The principal functions of MUIS are: [1]

  • Administration of zakat, wakaf (endowment), pilgrimage affairs, halal certification and da'wah activities
  • Construction and administration of mosques development and management
  • Administration of Madrasah and Islamic education
  • Issuance of fatwas (religious rulings)
  • Provision of financial relief to poor and needy Muslims
  • Provision of developmental grants to organisations

Under AMLA, MUIS is a statutory board of the Singapore Government. It comes under the care of 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.

[edit] Council

The MUIS Council is the apex governing body in MUIS. It handles the formulation of policies and major operational plans.

The Council comprises the President of MUIS, the Mufti of Singapore, the Secretary of MUIS and other member representatives from the major Malay/Muslim non-governmental organisations nominated by the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

All members are then appointed by the President of Singapore on a three-year-term.

The current President of MUIS is Haji Mohd Alami Musa and the Mufti of Singapore is Syed Isa bin Mohamed bin Semait. [2]

[edit] Islamic Centre

MUIS is located at the Islamic Centre of Singapore in Braddell which comprises a seven storey building and a two-storey auditorium. The centre also houses the Shariah Court of Appeal.

[edit] Halal certification

A list of restaurants in Singapore that are Halal approved is published. [3] Certification of a restaurant as being compliant allows Muslims to socialise with non-Muslims more easily. It was reported that once "while SM (Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Goh] and his other guests tucked into beef rendang and other Malay dishes, the man ate halal sandwiches and drank water from his own paper cup." [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Background, Role and Function" MUIS, URL accessed on 2 February 2006.
  2. ^ "Council of MUIS" MUIS, URL accessed on 2 February 2006.
  3. ^ Certified Eating Establishments
  4. ^ Food & Entertaining : Great Reviews

[edit] See also

[edit] External links