Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Muslimin Trust Fund Association 'In Bloom' Gala Dinner 2022

Mr Wasim Abdul Majeed, President of Muslimin Trust Fund Association

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening. I am happy to join you at the Muslimin Trust Fund Association (MTFA) ‘In Bloom’ Gala Dinner 2022 to celebrate MTFA’s 118 years of serving the community. We are also here to celebrate Darul Ihsan Orphanages’ 60th anniversary. Congratulations for reaching this milestone.

Since 1904, MTFA has remained dedicated to its mission of caring for Muslims in Singapore. Prior to the establishment of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), MTFA played an important role in supporting the operations of many mosques in Singapore.

The community’s needs have evolved with the changing global landscape. Nevertheless, MTFA has remained steadfast in its service, particularly during difficult periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, MTFA has been providing financial assistance to families in need, helping these families get back on their feet. Building strong families requires the efforts of everyone in society. I encourage more organisations and individuals to step up to better support families in this Year of Celebrating SG Families.

I am heartened that MTFA has continued to expand its services for the community over the years. For example, it opened its first social enterprise, Ihsan Casket, which aims to offer quality and affordable burials to all Muslims. I also recall officiating the opening of the MTFA Dialysis Centre in 2018, which has now been rebranded to MTFA Ihsan Kidney Care, to support those in need of subsidised kidney care.

One of MTFA’s longstanding services to the community has been the MTFA Darul Ihsan Orphanages. I have fond recollections of my visit to the MTFA Darul Ihsan Orphanages in 2018. During my visit, one resident shared a poem she wrote about the greatness of being a woman. In the poem, she reminds women to “always remember to be proud; men and women are equals, make it loud!”. Thank you, Fahma, for that heart-warming poem. Like her, many residents are promising individuals brimming with talent.

Earlier, I saw the exhibition of portraits of successful former residents at MTFA’s Darul Ihsan Orphanages. Among them is our former Mufti Syed Isa Semait, who led efforts to improve the religious life of Singapore’s Muslim community for close to 40 years. Another former resident, Mohamed Nizam Bin Ahmad Khalid, is now a Head of Department at Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah. These examples are testament to MTFA’s quality of care and dedication, in caring for vulnerable youth and orphans in the community.

I am happy to note that MTFA is expanding its programmes to further support and empower youth to thrive. The MTFA Ihsan Living is a pilot initiative to provide residents of the Orphanages, who would have been discharged at the age of 18, the opportunity to reside in nearby HDB apartments. This is so that they can still receive the support that they need while learning to take care of themselves. Complemented with a comprehensive life-skills curriculum, this programme guides them to transit to full independence and better integrate into society, under the supervision of trained professionals.

It is important that we provide our young with opportunities to meet their fullest potential regardless of socio-economic background. Thus, it is commendable that MTFA has been awarding yearly local and overseas scholarships to students across secular and religious domains. Education is an important means for our young to succeed and contribute meaningfully back to the society.

I encourage everyone to support MTFA in its mission to care for the underprivileged. The generous contributions of corporate donors have enabled MTFA to sustain its programmes. Even as Singapore emerges from the pandemic, let us not forget that there are those amongst us who still need help. For those who are able to, whether financially or in-kind, it is our responsibility to reach out and help where we can. We have come a long way as a nation. Together, we can make Singapore a more caring and inclusive home for not just ourselves, but also for our future generations.

Thank you.