‘We want our children to go far’: S'pore govt launches new M³+ Directory to make programmes, services more accessible to Malay-Muslim community

"If the future belongs to all of us, then all of us should have a hand in shaping it," said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad on Aug. 30.

Zaqy was speaking at the launch of the M³+ Directory, a new initiative which brings together programmes, services, and opportunities available across the M³+ network in one place, making them easier for residents to discover and access.

A new Community WhatsApp channel will also be introduced to bring information and resources closer to the community.

M³+ is an expanded community collaboration framework in Singapore that brings together key Malay-Muslim institutions, government agencies, grassroots groups, and volunteers to support and uplift the Malay-Muslim community.

"Our challenge is not simply to create more programmes," said Zaqy. "It is to become better at bringing the right strengths together, at the right time, around the individual and the family."

Vision anchored in four values

In his speech, Zaqy also outlined his vision for a confident, resilient, and united Malay-Muslim community, anchored in four values:

1. Iman, or being grounded in faith and values;
2. Ilmu, or continually learning and progressing;
3. Ihsan, or caring for others and contributing to society; and
4. Identiti, or being confident in one's identity.

On Iman, Zaqy highlighted the development of Singapore's religious institutions over the years, as well as the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies.

"It will be another important milestone in the progress of our Muslim community," he said. "A Singapore institution developing future generations of religious leaders who understand our faith, our society and the world we live in."

On Ilmu, Zaqy said the focus must be on preparing young people to seize new opportunities while helping workers adapt, learn new skills, and remain relevant throughout their careers, particularly amid rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence.

He cited Langkah Digital, an initiative launched earlier to equip individuals with essential digital and AI skills.

M3+@Bedok and PPIS are building on these efforts through the "AI For You & Your Family" workshop, he added.

Zaqy said Ihsan serves as a reminder that a community’s progress should not be measured only by the achievements of those who rise to the top, but also by how many others are helped along the way.

Lastly, Identiti is about having the confidence to know who one is amid rapid changes in Singapore and the world, he said.

He pointed to investments in the revamp of the Malay Heritage Centre and cultural placemaking efforts in Kampong Gelam as examples of efforts to strengthen the community’s sense of identity.

"When we feel secure in who we are, we have the confidence to engage the world."

Taken together, Iman, Ilmu, Ihsan and Identiti reflect both the progress made by the community and the aspirations for its future, Zaqy said.

"They describe the progress our community has made and the community that we want to continue building together as one here in Singapore. A community that is grounded, capable, compassionate and confident. A community that does well, and a community that does good."

New initiatives introduced

However, Zaqy acknowledged that a vision would only matter if the community was prepared to turn it into action.

One way of doing so is through CiptaSama@M³+, a collaborative approach that brings together the community, government, Muslim organisations and other partners to co-create solutions.

This was first introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic under the Singapore Together Emerging Stronger Conversations.

Through the approach, it brought members of the Malay-Muslim community together to reflect on the pandemic, envision a post-pandemic Singapore and explore how collective action could help society emerge stronger.

Zaqy said he wanted to strengthen this approach and make it an increasingly important part of how the government, community organisations and residents work together.

The M³+ Directory, led by AMP Singapore and PPIS, is one such initiative.

With this, residents would be able to find programmes, services and opportunities available across the M³+ network more easily.

More initiatives will be announced in the coming months, he added, to provide further opportunities for members of the community to participate and contribute.

Zaqy also looked ahead to the next generation, saying that the world young Singaporeans enter may look very different from the one their parents know.

"Today, it is our turn. And one day, it will be our children’s turn. The world they step into will be different. Their journeys (may) take them further. Let them go far. Let them pursue their ambitions. Let them explore the world with confidence."

With the foundations of Iman, Ilmu, Ihsan and Identiti, he said, young people can move forward knowing where they come from, who they are, and that they have a community standing behind them.