SINGAPORE: Singapore’s longest-serving Mufti, Shaikh Syed Isa Semait, died on Monday (Jul 7) at the age of 87.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), in a media statement, said that it was "deeply saddened by the passing of a senior religious scholar and leader", adding that his death was a "great loss to the Singapore Muslim community and the nation".
Shaikh Syed Isa was appointed Mufti at 33. He held the position from 1972 to 2010.
As Mufti, he was a strong advocate for education and a key figure in promoting inter-religious harmony. His tenure saw the establishment of many key institutions that had helped propel the religious life of the Muslim community, said MUIS.
This included implementing the system to determine the Islamic calendar, developing the institution of zakat collection and disbursement, social development programmes for the poor and needy and the Mosque Building Fund, which finances the development of mosques in Singapore.
He also supported the formation of the Harmony Centre, located at the An Nahdhah Mosque in Bishan, as a hub to promote interfaith engagement and harmony, as well as the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, which champions charitable and humanitarian causes.
He also oversaw the establishment of an internationally credible and reliable Halal certification system in Singapore, and the management and growth of the community’s wakaf properties. These are properties that have been permanently dedicated by a Muslim for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.
Shaikh Syed Isa also steered the Fatwa Committee in working out solutions for challenging and contentious issues, said MUIS.
He presided over issues such as the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), where he rallied the authorities and the Muslim community to accept a unique solution for Muslims before they fully embraced the HOTA system in 2007, said the council.
He also led efforts to deal with the arrest of the Jemaah Islamiah groups, supporting the establishment of the Religious Rehabilitation group, which rehabilitates the detainees and their families.
A firm believer in education, Shaikh Syed Isa saw seeking knowledge as a religious obligation.
“He recognised the importance of religious teachers continually updating their skills and knowledge to guide the community in a rapidly changing environment,” said MUIS.
His commitment to education led to the establishment of the Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS) in 2015, to honour his vision of cultivating promising talents dedicated to leading and serving Singapore’s religious sector.
Shakih Syed Isa “was known amongst the interfaith leaders’ circle as playing a significant role in providing leadership and inspiration in enhancing bonds of relationship among the many faith communities for the greater good of Singapore and beyond”, said MUIS.
He was a council member of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore (IRO) in 1975, before becoming a life member. He moved on to become the organisation’s president in 1993.
He was also a member of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony from 1992 to 2010.
For his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to public service, Shaikh Syed Isa was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 1982 and the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 2009. He also received the IRO Lifetime Award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in Singapore.
In 2011, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
In its statement, MUIS hailed Sheikh Syed Isa’s wisdom and leadership as “instrumental in shaping a forward-looking and self-confident Muslim community”.
“With his passing, the community has lost a dedicated community leader who worked tirelessly to uplift the community and promote interfaith harmony,” said the council.
Shaikh Syed Isa's unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to promote a confident and progressive Muslim community have left a lasting impact on Singapore and beyond, said MUIS.
“It is our hope that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of community and religious leaders,” it added.
Continue reading...
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), in a media statement, said that it was "deeply saddened by the passing of a senior religious scholar and leader", adding that his death was a "great loss to the Singapore Muslim community and the nation".
Shaikh Syed Isa was appointed Mufti at 33. He held the position from 1972 to 2010.
As Mufti, he was a strong advocate for education and a key figure in promoting inter-religious harmony. His tenure saw the establishment of many key institutions that had helped propel the religious life of the Muslim community, said MUIS.
This included implementing the system to determine the Islamic calendar, developing the institution of zakat collection and disbursement, social development programmes for the poor and needy and the Mosque Building Fund, which finances the development of mosques in Singapore.
He also supported the formation of the Harmony Centre, located at the An Nahdhah Mosque in Bishan, as a hub to promote interfaith engagement and harmony, as well as the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, which champions charitable and humanitarian causes.
He also oversaw the establishment of an internationally credible and reliable Halal certification system in Singapore, and the management and growth of the community’s wakaf properties. These are properties that have been permanently dedicated by a Muslim for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.
Shaikh Syed Isa also steered the Fatwa Committee in working out solutions for challenging and contentious issues, said MUIS.
He presided over issues such as the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), where he rallied the authorities and the Muslim community to accept a unique solution for Muslims before they fully embraced the HOTA system in 2007, said the council.
He also led efforts to deal with the arrest of the Jemaah Islamiah groups, supporting the establishment of the Religious Rehabilitation group, which rehabilitates the detainees and their families.
A firm believer in education, Shaikh Syed Isa saw seeking knowledge as a religious obligation.
“He recognised the importance of religious teachers continually updating their skills and knowledge to guide the community in a rapidly changing environment,” said MUIS.
His commitment to education led to the establishment of the Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS) in 2015, to honour his vision of cultivating promising talents dedicated to leading and serving Singapore’s religious sector.
Shakih Syed Isa “was known amongst the interfaith leaders’ circle as playing a significant role in providing leadership and inspiration in enhancing bonds of relationship among the many faith communities for the greater good of Singapore and beyond”, said MUIS.
He was a council member of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore (IRO) in 1975, before becoming a life member. He moved on to become the organisation’s president in 1993.
He was also a member of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony from 1992 to 2010.
For his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to public service, Shaikh Syed Isa was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 1982 and the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 2009. He also received the IRO Lifetime Award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in Singapore.
In 2011, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
In its statement, MUIS hailed Sheikh Syed Isa’s wisdom and leadership as “instrumental in shaping a forward-looking and self-confident Muslim community”.
“With his passing, the community has lost a dedicated community leader who worked tirelessly to uplift the community and promote interfaith harmony,” said the council.
Shaikh Syed Isa's unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to promote a confident and progressive Muslim community have left a lasting impact on Singapore and beyond, said MUIS.
“It is our hope that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of community and religious leaders,” it added.
Continue reading...