PROCEDURES TO APPOINT RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN MOSQUES

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin asked the Minister for Community Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs whether there are any formal and open procedures adopted by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura on the appointment of religious leaders and administrators in mosques.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: MUIS has formal and open procedures to appoint religious leaders and administrators in mosques.

(i) Mosque Imam (Prayer Leader)

Mosques may only appoint Imams approved by MUIS. Candidates for the Imams are interviewed by the Fatwa Committee. If they are found to be suitable, the mosques will be allowed to employ them. Both local and foreign Imams are required to go through this process. (ii) Mosque Management Board (MMB)

MUIS appoints the members to the Mosque Management Boards (MMB). The tenure of appointment is for 2 years.

MUIS will invite applications from the public. There are 3 sources of nominations: from mosques, direct applications to MUIS, and talent searching by MUIS. In considering the nominations for members of the Board, MUIS will assess each candidate based on feedback and consultation with the key office bearers such as the Chairman and Secretary of the existing Board. MUIS also considers other factors such as attendance in meetings, positive contributions, leadership quality, character reference, MUIS' audit observation, the need to regenerate leadership and balance between different groups such as asatizahs/professionals, old/young.

(iii) Mosque Administrators

MUIS has introduced an Executive Officer (Administration) Scheme for selected mosques. MUIS advertises for candidates. Those shortlisted are selected by an interview panel chaired by a MUIS senior official. Successful candidates are appointed under the MUIS Scheme of Service and assigned to the mosques as full-time administrators. MUIS so far has appointed 4 EOs under this scheme.

MUIS will continue to refine and improve its selection process in order to recruit the best talents for mosque management.