PUBLISHED ONJuly 07, 2025 1:35 PMBYSean LerShaikh Syed Isa Semait, who served as Singapore's mufti for nearly four decades, died on Monday (July 7) at the age of 87.
In a media statement, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), said that it was "deeply saddened by the passing of a senior religious scholar and leader".
In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim said that Shaik Syed Isa's passing is "a profound loss not only to the Muslim community, but to Singapore as a whole".
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also noted Shaikh Syed Isa's leadership in shaping key institutions, strengthening religious administration, and supporting the growth and development of the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore.
Recalling his interactions with Shaikh Syed Isa at a Select Committee for a constitutional amendment for the Group Representation Constituency proposal in 1988, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the former mufti left a deep impression on the committee's members.
"He spoke with conviction, he knew the importance of the issue; he knew the sensitivity of the subject.
"He understood what it took to make Singapore a harmonious society, where the religious minority could be able to live with their own space, and in harmony with the other groups," said SM Lee at an interview with the media at Sultan Mosque after paying his last respects.
Assoc Prof Faishal said that Shaikh Syed Isa's leadership of the Malay-Muslim community "through periods of rapid social and economic changes", along with his "calm scholarship, deep understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, and humility" had laid the foundations for a confident, progressive, and inclusive Muslim community.
In its statement, Muis said that Shaikh Syed Isa saw the establishment of many key institutions that had helped propel the religious life of the community.
This included establishing the system to determine the Islamic calendar, developing the institution of zakat collection and disbursement, social development programmes for the poor and needy and the Mosque Building Fund, which is used for the building of new mosques and upgrading of existing ones.
The former mufti is also credited with implementing an internationally credible and reliable Halal certification system in Singapore, and presiding over issues such as the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota), where he rallied the authorities and community to accept a unique solution for Muslims before the community fully embraced the Hota system in 2007, said Muis.
Both Muis and SM Lee also noted the "significant role" Shaikh Syed Isa played in strengthening the trust and cohesion between different races and faiths in Singapore.
He was a council member of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore in 1975, before becoming a life member, and later its president in 1993.
For his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to public service, Shakih Syed Isa was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 1982 and Public Administration (Gold) in 2009.
He was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal in 2011.
In its statement, Muis hailed his "wisdom and leadership" in "shaping a forward-looking and self-confident Muslim community".
"With his passing, the community has lost a dedicated community leader who worked tirelessly to uplift the community and promote interfaith harmony. It is our hope that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of community and religious leaders," it said.
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