Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Virtual Opening Ceremony of Pergas New Building

Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, President of Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas),

Pergas Council members,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum and a very good evening to all.

On this auspicious day - the 1^st of Muharram, I would like to congratulate Pergas and its subsidiary, Pergas Investment Holdings (PIH), on the opening of its own building, Paradise@Pergas. Although we are not able to hold a physical opening ceremony due to the prevailing COVID-19 safe distancing guidelines, this virtual gathering is still a significant one, as it marks an important milestone in Pergas’ longstanding effort to develop the asatizah sector. Paradise@Pergas will help Pergas deliver more services to Muslim religious scholars and teachers, as well as the Muslim community.

Since its founding in 1957, Pergas has dedicated itself towards improving the Islamic religious education and quality of our asatizah. Together with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), Pergas plays an important role in ensuring that our asatizah are well-supported in providing high quality teaching of Islam to the community. Senior members of Pergas are also part of the Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB), the Fatwa Committee and the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG). These are important community institutions that help to provide clear guidance on religious matters in the context of a multi-cultural and multi-religious society like Singapore. Over the years, Pergas has helped to raise the standards of asatizah, carried out community outreach efforts, conducted research development, and initiated donations for various causes. Through its subsidiary, Financial Shariah Advisory & Consultancy (FSAC), Pergas also supports the Muslim community in various areas, ranging from will writing to syariah advisory services. The recently launched ‘Pergas Endowmen Legasi Ulama’ or ‘PERLU’ will help Pergas achieve a sustainable stream of funding, to support all these efforts in the years ahead.

Our asatizah must continue to adapt and stay relevant, as we live in a volatile and fast-changing world which has been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few months, our asatizah have demonstrated their leadership by adjusting religious practices to ensure that Muslims can continue to practise their faith safely. Many asatizah picked up digital skills and brought their lessons and services online during and after the Circuit Breaker period. During this challenging time, I was heartened to see Pergas actively educating the community about social responsibility through social media.

Pergas also played an important role in supporting Singaporeans who were affected by this pandemic. Pergas’ participation in the SGTeguhBersatu Taskforce harnesses the spirit of ‘gotong royong’ and brought together resources and strengths of our community. Pergas also established a fund to support asatizah whose livelihoods are affected by the downturn. I am glad that MUIS has committed $200,000 in zakat funds to further support this commendable effort. Such leadership, adaptability, and resilience give me great assurance and confidence in the future of our community.

During this COVID-19 period, we have seen increased tensions around the world.  As a multi-racial and multi-religious society, we must continue to double our efforts to stay united and emerge stronger from this pandemic. This will require our asatizah to provide spiritual guidance and promote shared values - such as mutual respect, understanding and peace - to inspire the next generation of Singaporeans. Our religious leaders came together at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies last year to affirm their shared commitment to safeguard Singapore’s religious harmony through a pledge that articulates our shared values and way of life in multi-religious Singapore. Our asatizah must continue to uphold and live out these values in the pledge to protect, cherish and promote our religious harmony, which is key to our nation’s peace, prosperity and progress.

In closing, let me thank Pergas for its valuable contributions to our Muslim community and to Singapore. I am confident that Pergas will continue to strengthen our asatizah and support the needs of our community, especially in these difficult times.

I now declare the opening of the building, Paradise@Pergas. Congratulations once again and I wish you continued success in your efforts.

Thank you.