The pilot ARIF program was started as a collaboration between Temasek Foundation, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). It focuses on issues related to pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, parenting and early childhood.
ARIF programme beneficiaries Nurashima Kamal, her husband Daud Basan, and their son Miqdad Daud speaking with Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on May 10.
- ST/ANN SINGAPORE: A pilot programme that prepares Muslim couples for parenthood and family life will become a permanent fixture in a broader programme that supports such couples from before their marriage to two years after their solemnisation. Called Achieving Resilient and Inspiring Families , the programme focuses on issues relating to pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, parenting and early childhood, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim at an ARIF event at Yusof Ishak Mosque on May 10.
The ARIF programme, which begins in June, was started as a pilot in September 2020, and it will now come under Bersamamu, an initiative under the Registry of Muslim Marriages that was launched in 2019. The pilot phase was known as Project ARIF – a collaboration between Temasek Foundation, the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital , and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore .
Associate Professor Faishal said that by bringing ARIF under Bersamamu, couples will get support earlier, and also be able to access resources more easily.
“The aim is simple: to better prepare parents, and give every child the strongest possible start in life,” he said. Prof Faishal also said that AMP Singapore – otherwise known as the Association of Muslim Professionals – will be appointed to lead the ARIF programme from June 2026.
He said AMP Singapore brings deep expertise in strengthening families and providing community-based support, and will work with other partners – including MUIS, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, ROMM, mosques and KKH – to deliver the programme. Prof Faishal added that this demonstrates M3+ in action – referring to self-help group Mendaki, MUIS and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council working with other partners to support the Malay/Muslim community.
He said that since the start of Project ARIF, 12,000 people have been supported through public education talks. Among them were 5,175 couples who received a maternal and child health booklet that contained tips, checklists and information about newborn babies’ milestones to guide them in their parenthood journey. Another 124 marriage solemnisers and mosque staff were trained by the KKH to support families through key milestones in life.
Prof Faishal said Project ARIF’s support has reached about 200 babies, of whom about half are involved in an ongoing research programme by KKH that assesses how early indicators such as immunisation, breastfeeding and parental involvement can benefit children in their infancy. Associate Professor Suzanna Sulaiman, deputy chairman of KKH’s obstetrics and gynaecology division, said issues raised by couples who attended the Project ARIF programmes were wide-ranging, including medical matters such as subfertility and recurrent miscarriages, men asking about how they can better support their wives, and couples asking about finances.
Prof Suzanna, who is KKH’s lead for Project ARIF, said it is therefore helpful that the programme has had a panel of stakeholders with expertise in various areas, so that couples are supported holistically. Nurashima Kamal, 34, attended a Project ARIF Ramadan breastfeeding event just weeks before she delivered her first child in February 2025. She said she appreciates being able to seek advice that blends Muslim beliefs with medical knowledge.
For instance, she was able to get medical advice on Muslim rituals, such as the timing of circumcision for her son. - The Straits Times/ANN
Family Supports Muslim Family Supports Family Life Children Education Preparation Programs
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PAS non-Muslim wing holds first conventionThe non-Muslim supporters wing was made an associate wing of the Islamic party in September last year.
Read more »
Liga Super: Johor Darul Ta'zim Kalah 14-1, Rujukan Rekod Terbesar Liga SuperJohor Darul Ta'zim, juga dikenali sebagai JDT, adalah pasukan terkenal di dunia gimtimboloh Malaysia Latvijas. Skuad Harimau Selatan, yang directorial Zairul fitree Ishak, berjaya mendapatkan kemenangan yang amat besar. Bergson Da Silva, penyerang pasukan tuan rumah, muncul wira pasukan apabila mendendangkan gol hatrik 'enam' dan nyata duaku kali menewaskan penjaga gol Kelantan, Azfar Arif Mohd. Sukri.
Read more »
Khairy Jamaluddin: Umno Positions as Centrist Party to Handle Cultural Contestations and Defend Malay-Muslim Voter BaseKhairy Jamaluddin, the chief minister of Terengganu, discusses Umno's position as a centrist party to navigate cultural contestations, defend Malay-Muslim voters, and stand against proposed reforms.
Read more »