*Note: The programme is updated as of 30 August 2022 and is subject to change.
Day 1 | 9 September (Friday)
Registration
Participants to be seated by 8.15 am.
Executive Study Programme (ESP)
The session is for participants who have registered for the ESP. If you're interested to join us for the ESP, indicate your preferred itineraries at https://go.gov.sg/iccos2022-esp by 31st August 2022.
The session will be held in English.
The Executive Study Programme (ESP) aims to share lessons from Singapore and our experiences in developing institutions and strengthening community relations. The programme will provide participants an opportunity to experience first-hand the manifestation of Muslim community organisations in Singapore working together to develop the 3Cs – Character, Competency and Citizenry – within the community to nurture our Community of Success, through immersive learning journeys and engagements with religious and community leaders.
Details on ESP are available here.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration
Participants to be seated by 7.30pm.
Opening
Welcome Remarks
By Mr. Kadir Maideen, Chief Executive of Muis, Singapore
Keynote Address
By Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the Republic of Singapore
Official Launch of Conference
The Singapore Muslim Community Experience towards a Community of Success
By Ustaz Dr. Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Mufti of Singapore
Closing
End of Day 1
Day 2 | 10 September (Saturday)
Registration
Participants to be seated by 8.30 am.
Opening
Panel I: Nurturing Character for Communities of Success
The panel will discuss the desired form of socio-religious life, and how Muslim communities could draw inspiration from the Muslim traditions to forge a progressive and forward-looking vision of Islam in contemporary contexts.
Speakers in this panel will discuss:
- How we should approach the diverse yet rich textual and lived experiences in our religious traditions (al-turāth al-Islāmī) in understanding and interpreting today's environment, in the process of helping Muslim communities address contemporary challenges in a coherent and successful way
- Several important lessons and episodes found within the Muslims traditions that can help develop a progressive socio-religious outlook by drawing the relevant principles and values from such histories
- The concept and principles of citizenry (al-muwāṭanah) from the Islamic perspective, as well as the dynamism of the Muslim legal tradition and philosophy that enable Muslims to be adaptable to new circumstances
Details on panel synopses are available here.
Approaching Religious Traditions in Contemporary Contexts and Challenges
By Professor Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, Expert on Quranic exegesis and former Minister of Religious Affairs in the Fourth Development Cabinet, Indonesia
Ethico-Theological Foundations of a Muslim Community of Success
By Sheikh Dr. Mustafa Cerić, The Grand Mufti Emeritus of Bosnia, Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Concept and Principles of Citizenry in Islam
By Shaykh Dr. 'Amr Mostafa Hassanein Elwrdany, Secretary of Egypt's Fatwa Council (Dar al-Iftaa), Egypt
Tea break
Panel Q&A
Panel II: Developing Competent Muslim Communities in Diverse & Modern Contexts
The panel will examine the role of institutional reforms in the fields of education and social development that are inspired by religious values and principles and can help towards developing resilient and cohesive communities in plural societies.
Speakers in this panel will discuss:
- The role of religious leaders in shaping resilient communities, particularly through reforms in Islamic thought and education, that can guide Muslim communities to effectively address present and future challenges
- How religion and religious traditions have strengthened social cohesion and how can Muslim communities build the necessary competencies to skilfully manage social and religious diversity
- The various ways Muslim religious and educational institutions can collaborate with both the state and the society in strengthening the common good
Details on panel synopses are available here.
Overcoming Complex Challenges in Religious Thought: Islamic Higher Education
By Professor Abdullah Saeed, Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies and Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia
Embracing Religious Diversity and Interfaith Cooperation
By Professor Mona Siddiqui, OBE, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, University of Edinburgh and the Jane and Aatos Erkko Professor at the Helsinki Collegium, Scotland
Leadership of Muslim Institutions in Minority Contexts – Reflections from America
By Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Muslim Chaplain at Harvard University and Co-founder of the Islamic Seminary of America in Dallas, United States
Lunch
Panel Q&A
Panel III: Enhancing Social Cohesion & Active Citizenry
The panel will examine meaningful collaborative efforts between government agencies ("Public"), private sector ("Private") and Muslim communities ("People") (PPP) in building robust and resilient institutions that contribute to the strengthening of social cohesion and active citizenry in plural societies and a globalized world.
Speakers in this panel will discuss:
- Several notable examples of inter-religious/racial participation and contributions made by minority Muslim communities
- The shifting boundaries between the religious and the secular in today's context, and how both state and religion should negotiate these in the context of increasing diversity and greater assertiveness for individual religious rights
- How current and future global challenges can adversely affect social cohesion and complicate public policy in managing religious diversity, and how Muslim communities can more effectively prepare in dealing with these developments
Details on panel synopses are available here.
Building Resilient Communities ahead of Global Challenges
By Professor Dr. Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace International
Muslims and Nation-Building – Lessons of Active Citizenship and Coexistence
By Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, Former Premier of Western Cape and Founder of the World for All Foundation, South Africa
Tea Break
Religious Communities and the Secular State – The Singapore Story
By Ms. Yeoh Chee Yan, Chairman of National Heritage Board and Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore
Panel Q&A
The session will be joined by Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health, and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Singapore.
Concluding Remarks
By Ustaz Dr. Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Mufti of Singapore
Closing
End of Day 2
*Participants will be informed of their allocated seating on the Conference day. Due to space limitations, participants may be seated in a different ballroom with a two-way live feed from the main ballroom. We appreciate your kind understanding on the matter.