Press Release
Condolence Letter from PM Lawrence Wong on the Passing of Former Mufti Shaikh Syed Isa Semait
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Multi-racial and multi-religious society
8 July 2025
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong wrote to Madam Sharifah Muznah to express his condolences on the passing of her husband, former Mufti Shaikh Syed Isa Semait.
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Dear Mdm Sharifah,
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Shaikh Syed Isa Semait.
Shaikh Syed Isa was a pillar of the Singapore Muslim community and our nation. During his tenure as Singapore’s longest-serving Mufti from 1972 to 2010, he laid the foundations for many of the institutions that continue to serve the community today. These include the establishment of the Mosque Building Fund, and the development of a system for zakat collection and distribution.
A strong believer in the importance of education, Shaikh Syed Isa recognised the need for religious teachers to contextualise their teachings in our cosmopolitan and multi-religious society. He championed the professional development of our asatizah, the upgrading of our madrasahs, and the strengthening of our system of Islamic education in Singapore.
As Chair of the Fatwa Committee, his leadership was instrumental in guiding the Muslim community through complex and evolving issues. He worked closely with the community and the Government to arrive at a unique solution to include Singapore Muslims as potential donors under the Human Organ Transplant Act. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Religious Rehabilitation Group following the Jemaah Islamiyah arrests.
Shaikh Syed Isa was a tireless champion for social harmony in Singapore. He was a life member and former President of the Inter-Religious Organisation, and served on both the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony and the Presidential Council for Minority Rights. He actively promoted inter-faith engagement, and worked to build cohesion and trust among Singaporeans of all races and religions.
Above all, Shaikh Syed Isa will be remembered for his kindness, wisdom and steadfast dedication to the community. His legacy will live on through the many generations of religious teachers, scholars and Singaporeans whose lives he mentored and touched.
On behalf of the Singapore Government, please accept our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Yours Sincerely,
Lawrence Wong
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