SM Teo Chee Hean at the Annual Religious Rehabilitation Group Iftar 2025

MOS Dr Faishal Ibrahim and Mayor Fahmi Aliman
President of MUIS Mohd Sa’at
Mufti Dr Nazirudin
RRG Co-Chairs Ustaz Hasbi and Ustaz Dr Mohamed
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening.

This iftar at Khadijah Mosque is an event I look forward to every year. It is an opportunity to catch up with friends, strengthen our bonds, and, if I may say so, partake in the Mosque’s famous biryani. Most importantly of all, it is a chance to give thanks for the peace and harmony that we enjoy in Singapore.

This peace stands in stark contrast to the growing uncertainty and troubles in the world. Culture wars are pulling societies apart, trade wars are pitting nations against each other, and the horrors of hot wars are inflicting untold suffering. In this challenging environment, Singapore’s calm and cohesion are powerful blessings that we should cherish and safeguard.

Countering Radicalism and Extremism

The RRG has played an essential role in preserving these blessings for all of us in Singapore. The threat of radicalism and extremism is fuelled by a troubled global security landscape; its spread aided by the internet and social media. In recent months, ISD announced the detention and issuance of Restriction Orders to several Singaporeans who were influenced by violent extremist ideologies, including far-right extremism. Many societies only have punitive measures to deal with this threat, to varying degrees of success. In Singapore, we take a whole-of-society response, with the RRG’s rehabilitation and reintegration programmes at the centre.

The RRG’s focus on understanding, engagement, and education allows it to go further upstream. Not just dealing with a problem when it arises but preventing it from arising at all. One example is the RRG’s latest manual that focuses on counselling and mentoring youths. I am glad that the RRG has also established a mosque engagement programme to better equip mosque volunteers to identify youth who need help and counselling. Early detection and intervention is key to preventing our youth from inflicting harm to themselves and to others.

Honouring Ustaz Ali’s Legacy

This evening, we are here not just for iftar but for another special reason. The good work of the RRG is made possible by its members and volunteers, and it is my pleasure to be here to honour one of the RRG’s pioneers: my good friend, the esteemed late Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed. His legacy has been lovingly captured by his son, Ustaz Dr Mohamed, in the aptly titled biography ‘A Life Well Lived’.

Ustaz Ali devoted his life to helping our Malay-Muslim community, and strengthening the stability and harmony of Singapore. He was a respected member of the MUIS Council and its Fatwa Committee, and helped develop the asatizah community through his roles as President of PERTAPIS and PERGAS, and Chairman of the Asatizah Recognition Board.

Ustaz Ali served as Chairman of this very Khadijah Mosque with great distinction for almost 30 years. In that time, not only was the mosque rebuilt physically, but it also took on renewed significance as a pillar of community development and social cohesion.

Intertwined with this was Ustaz Ali’s work in the RRG. Together with Ustaz Hasbi Hassan, they took the courageous step in 2003 to co-found and co-chair the Group. The work of the RRG was, and continues to be, a crucial contribution to the security and stability of Singapore against extremist and divisive influences from other parts of the world.

In my many years of working with Ustaz Ali, I have benefitted greatly from his wise perspectives and counsel. There is much we can continue to learn from Ustaz Ali, even in his absence.

Allow me to say a few words in Malay.

Almarhum Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed telah menjalani hidupnya dengan berkhidmat tanpa mementingkan diri sendiri dan tanpa jemu kepada agamanya, masyarakatnya, dan negaranya. Masyarakat Islam kita lebih bersepadu, lebih mampu menjalani kehidupan beragama dalam dunia moden, dan lebih bersedia untuk menghadapi cabaran masa depan, sebahagian besar kerana usaha Ustaz Ali. Ustaz Ali amat dirindui, namun legasinya akan terus menjadi ilham kepada generasi masa depan dalam usaha kita bersama untuk menjadikan Singapura tempat tinggal yang lebih bersatu, inklusif, dan penuh belas kasihan bagi semua rakyat Singapura. Saya gembira Ustaz Dr Mohamed telah merakamkan kehidupan dan sumbangan bapanya dalam buku ini.

[Translation: The late Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed lived in selfless and tireless service of his faith, his community, and his country. Our Muslim community is more cohesive, better able to live out their faith in the modern world, and better equipped to navigate the challenges of the future, in no small part because of Ustaz Ali. Ustaz Ali is dearly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations in our collective pursuit to make Singapore a more united, inclusive, and compassionate home for all Singaporeans. I am glad that Ustaz Dr Mohamed has captured the life and contributions of his father in this book.]

Conclusion

I remember and am reminded of the Malay proverb “patah tumbuh hilang berganti” – what is lost will be replaced. Ustaz Ali is dearly missed, but we look forward to the next generation of community leaders who will continue to bring Singapore forward. The Government will give you our full support in this collective effort to keep Singapore safe and secure.

May this Ramadhan and the upcoming Hari Raya season provide more opportunities for us to come together in peace and harmony. Thank you very much.

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