Speech by President Halimah Yacob at Launch of Book 'Indian Muslims in Singapore: History, Heritage and Contributions'

Dr Md Badrun Nafis Saion, Chairman of AMP Singapore

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you today at the launch of the book ‘Indian Muslims in Singapore: History, Heritage and Contributions’. I congratulate the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA), a subsidiary of AMP Singapore, for the publication of this book. In particular, I commend its author, Dr Abdul Razak Chanbasha, member of the Board of Directors of RIMA, for his extensive research into the history of the community’s pioneers: Singaporean Muslims who trace their roots to various parts of the Indian subcontinent. This book explores who they are, their trades and professions, and their legacy in the community.

This book is an effort to document and celebrate the achievements of these pioneers, which is important in helping the community remember its history and make sense of its identity. At the broader sense, it also helps build our understanding of Singapore’s development as a nation. As a multicultural and multi-racial society, Singapore has a complex yet unique identity with cultural influences from the Southeast Asian region, India, Middle East, China and Europe. We are also an immigrant society built upon the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of our pioneers from different communities, who have made Singapore their home.

While the Indian Muslim community is smaller compared to the other communities, it has made tremendous contributions to the development of Singapore over the years. Many successful businessmen and professionals hailed from the Indian Muslim community. The community is also well-known for its generous philanthropists.

The contributions of pioneers like Munshi Abdullah are well-documented. Others who were previously only known through word-of-mouth accounts have not been sufficiently researched and codified until now. This book therefore strives to fill this gap for the Indian Muslim community, so that we can better appreciate the significance of their contributions.

Grounded firmly in archival research and oral history, this book documents the migration history and contributions of Muslims from the former Madras, Bombay and Bengal Presidencies. It examines the heterogeneity of the community from the perspective of ethnic groups, languages, traditions, and religious sects. This book expounds on the contributions of the community’s pioneers in the building of social, education, and religious institutions in Singapore.

Service and charity were central to the community. Indian Muslims donated generously to social causes, setting up wakafs such as mosques long before the days of the Mosque Building Fund. This includes nineteenth century pioneers such as Anser Sahib who founded Jamae Mosque, Mohamed Salleh Eusoff Angullia who established Angullia Mosque and the MSE Angullia Wakaf, and Abdulkyum Moola Essabhoy who founded the Burhani Mosque. I am glad that this book also covers the contributions of women pioneers, such as Khatijunnisa Siraj who co-founded the Young Women’s Muslim Association (PPIS) and spearheaded efforts that led to the formation of the Syariah Court to better protect the rights of Muslim women.

Several pioneers also made their mark through their professions. Kadir Sultan, who was prominent in the meat industry, served as patron to many social, education and sports initiatives. Rajabali Jumabhoy, founder of the Indian Association, was a well-known businessman and public figure. Dr Sirajuddin Moonshi, a pioneer doctor, served as Municipal Commissioner. Professor Ahmad Ibrahim was a brilliant legal expert who became Singapore’s first Attorney-General.

The contributions of these individuals and others who gave back to society are captured in this book. These personal memories are brought together and interweaved into our Singapore story, enriching our shared heritage. While these individuals came from diverse roots, they were united by common values and a commitment to building a better future together.

Our sites and built heritage are also spaces that house shared experiences and memories, whilst providing future generations with a touchpoint to the past. The sketch on the cover of this book features one of Singapore’s oldest and most beautiful faith-linked monuments, the Nagore Dargah. Nagore Dargah was a key landmark along the coast of Telok Ayer in the 19th century, together with the Thian Hock Keng Temple and Al-Abrar Mosque. Activities at the landmark provided a source of comfort for those whose lives depended on the sea. Maulid processions would take place along the street during the time.

The role of the landmark has evolved over decades. Today it houses the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, an idea mooted by community leaders in the 1990s, 20 years after Nagore Dargah was declared a national monument. This book complements and builds upon the work of the centre, providing an extension to the centre’s physical space through an in-depth analysis about the community’s history. Both the centre and book have been the product of synergies with various stakeholders: Muis worked with community partners to set up the centre, while RIMA took the lead to publish this book with support from the National Heritage Board and Muis.

I applaud AMP Singapore for its fundraising efforts in tandem with the launch of this book, which will benefit the Indian Muslim community through the MENDAKI Education Trust Fund, SINDA, AMP, and seven Heritage Mosques: Abdul Gafoor Mosque, Al-Abrar Mosque, Angullia Mosque, Bencoolen Mosque, Jamae (Chulia) Mosque, Malabar Mosque and Maulana Mohamed Ali Mosque. It is heartening that the spirit of generosity demonstrated by the community’s pioneers has lived through the years.

In closing, let me once again congratulate RIMA for the publication of this book. Let us emulate the pioneers who never viewed their circumstances as limiting, but instead focused on how they could do better for the community and their children; always looking at the possibilities ahead. May the stories of the pioneers in this book inspire our youth and encourage them to give back to the community in their own way. Thank you.