Tag Archives: Tamil Muslims of Singapore

Federation of Indian Muslims celebrates 30th anniversary with new logo and name

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SINGAPORE:

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left) was the guest of honour at the federation’s 30th anniversary celebrations on Oct 27, 2023. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN

Singapore :

The Federation of Indian Muslims – the umbrella body encompassing 18 Indian Muslim organisations – is now known as the Federation of Singapore Indian Muslims (FSIM).

The federation unveiled its new name and logo at its 30th anniversary celebrations held at The Grassroots’ Club in Yio Chu Kang on Friday.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the guest of honour at the event, which was attended by 500 people including community leaders.

Four individuals were honoured during the event for their contributions to the Indian Muslim community in Singapore.

Hindu Endowments Board chief executive T. Raja Segar and former Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) president Mohammad Alami Musa were presented the FSIM Harmony Award.

The FSIM Community Service Award was presented to the federation’s founding member, Mr Shaik Alaudeen Osman, while fellow founding member A.R. Mashuthoo was presented the M.K.A. Jabbar Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is named after FSIM’s founding president, who was also a former MP for Radin Mas.

Speaking at the event, FSIM’s president, Mr Mohamed Bilal, 55, paid tribute to previous generations of Indian Muslim community leaders.

“In the coming years, we strive to focus on the educational development of students, welfare of youth, identifying young leaders, and honing their skills,” said Mr Bilal. 

In recent years, the federation has been reaching out to young people. It has co-opted IMYouth, an Indian Muslim youth organisation, as its youth wing.

source: http://www.straitstimes.com / The Straits Times / Home / by Irshath Mohamed / October 29th, 2023

English version of book on Tamil Muslim community’s contributions in Singapore launched

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SINGAPORE :

(From left) Co-authors A R Mashuthoo and Raja Mohd with Education Minister Chan Chun Sing at the launch of the English edition of Singapore Tamil Muslims. PHOTO: TAMIL MURASU

Singapore :

The Tamil Muslim community in Singapore has contributed to the Republic’s multiracial and religious harmony, with collective efforts that have strengthened the nation’s social compact, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Jan 15).

In 1946, for example, members of the community dedicated a portion of their salaries to help the Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League (SKML) start the Umar Pulavar Tamil School, the first Tamil-medium secondary school in South-east Asia at the time.

The school played an important role in advancing and shaping Tamil language education here, and many graduates have taken up the baton and become Tamil teachers today, Mr Chan said.

“While the school was closed 40 years ago, its name lives on in today’s Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre, which continues the important mission of transmitting Tamil language and culture to the next generation.”

The centre is in Beatty Road.

Mr Chan was speaking at the launch of the English edition of a book titled Singapore Tamil Muslims.

The event was held in conjunction with SKML’s 80th anniversary celebrations in Chui Huay Lim Club in Newton.

The book, which looks to provide a better understanding of the Tamil Muslim community in Singapore, is supported by organisations including the National Heritage Board and Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. 

It has forewords by President Halimah Yacob and former senior minister of state Zainul Abidin Rasheed.

The English edition of the book, which was first published in Tamil in 2015, is authored by SKML president Raja Mohamad and deputy president A. R. Mashuthoo.

In his speech, Mr Chan highlighted how the spirit of grit, resilience and service to community has shone brightly among Singapore’s Tamil Muslims.

Many have become successful professionals and leaders of the community, he said.

“But they have all imbibed the spirit of service, and continued to pay it forward to the community and nation.

“Importantly, these collective efforts by your community have also strengthened Singapore’s social compact – where we help the young to have a good start in life, give more to those with less, and enable our people to bounce back from adversity.” 

The minister expressed his hope that the book can serve as a reminder, not just for the Tamil Muslim community but also to a broader audience, that Singaporeans must honour and protect what they have, and inspire the next generation to continue paying it forward.

The book can be purchased by contacting SKML, and funds raised will be used for its work to support the disabled community and education needs of children from low-income families.

source:http://www.straitstimes.com / The Straits Times / Home / by Choo Yun Ting / Jan 15th, 2022