H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, participated in the founding meeting of the Advisory Panel for the Singapore University of Islamic Studies project, on Tuesday, 28 Dhul Hijja 1446, corresponding to 24 June 2025, in the capital city of Singapore.

The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Mohammad Faisal Ibrahim, Singapore’s Minister of Home Affairs and Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs, who also serves as the Chairman of the project’s Advisory Panel. It marked a significant step toward establishing Singapore’s first-ever Islamic college of its kind, dedicated to nurturing a distinguished cohort of Muslim leaders and thinkers who combine deep religious scholarship with contemporary intellectual awareness which will focus on two key academic tracks, including Islamic Sciences and Applied Social Sciences. The college is scheduled to welcome its first batch of students in 2028 under a full-time bachelor’s degree program.

The Advisory Panel brought together a distinguished group of prominent religious and academic figures from across the Muslim world, including grand muftis, university presidents, and secretaries general of leading Islamic institutions. Among the most notable participants was H.E. Prof. Koutoub Sano, who actively contributed to intellectual and educational discussions, offering profound insights on the importance of balancing Sharia principles with the demands of modern realities. His Excellency emphasized the need for curricula that harmonize authenticity with practicality, while respecting the unique cultural and religious identity of Singapore’s Muslim community.

In his interventions, His Excellency stressed the importance of investing in the development of scholarly expertise capable of authentic Ijtihad and addressing contemporary intellectual and social challenges from a well-grounded Maqasid (objectives-based) perspective. He also highlighted the critical role of regional and international academic and institutional cooperation in ensuring the success of this pioneering project, which embodies the noble values of Islam in their finest form.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Panel members emphasized the need to expedite efforts in developing educational programs and strengthening partnerships with globally renowned Islamic universities and institutes to support this promising initiative, which is expected to become a beacon of Islamic scholarship in Southeast Asia.