Courage, hard work and unity have lifted Malay/Muslims: Masagos

Going forward, the community must plan for its future and growing needs, he says

- Thian Wen Li

Singapore's Malay/Muslim community is on a good footing today because it has had the courage to face key challenges head-on while staying united in solving them, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli.

Going forward, the community needs to plan for its future and growing needs, such as to renew land leases for mosques here, Mr Masagos said at the annual Minister's Hari Raya Get-Together on April 19.

At the event, Mr Masagos said Muslims here have played a significant role in Singapore society by addressing community and national challenges with pragmatic approaches rooted in Islamic principles.

When confronted by worrying trends in education outcomes more than 40 years ago, community leaders were courageous in accepting reality, and the self-help group Mendaki was formed to work on the issue, he said.

"They acknowledged Singapore's system of meritocracy and that we cannot fall on quotas or affirmative action as an easy solution," said Mr Masagos, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development.

"We have to work hard to achieve progress and to attain the appropriate qualifications and recognition."