SINGAPORE – Muslim community leader Haji Shafawi Ahmad has died at the age of 92 on Oct 11.
In a statement on his death on the same day, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said he was a “highly respected community leader”, and his demise was “a great loss to the Singapore Muslim community and the nation”.
His family has declined to comment on the cause of death.
Mr Shafawi was a founding member of self-help group Yayasan Mendaki and served Muis as a council member from 1986 to 2020, making him its longest-serving council member, Muis said.
He was its acting president from January to June 1991, and its vice-president from July 1991 to August 1995.
At Muis, he was involved in many policymaking decisions aimed at improving the socio-religious life and welfare of the Singapore Muslim community, the organisation said.
“He discharged his responsibilities with deep commitment, dedication and critical thinking,” Muis added.
As the chairman of the haj pilgrimage committee for more than two decades, Mr Shafawi ensured the fair and effective allocation of the haj quota, smooth running of annual haj operations, and the safety and welfare of the pilgrims, Muis said.
He served as the head of Singapore’s haj delegation in 1990, 1994 and 2005, and has represented Muis at various meetings with the Saudi haj authorities.
Mr Shafawi was also the chairman of Al-Muttaqin Mosque in Ang Mo Kio from 1988 to 1991.
In 2000, he chaired the steering committee for National Madrasah Education, and was a member of the board of governors for Madrasah Al-Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah from 2008 to 2020.
Mr Shafawi received multiple honours for his contributions to Muis and the community, including the Muis 40th Anniversary Award in 2009, the Muis SG50 Award in 2015, the Muis50 Distinguished Award in 2018, and the Muis Anugerah Jasa Cemerlang in 2020.
He was appointed a Justice of Peace in 1989, and a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights from 1996 to 2011.
“Muis would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Almarhum Haji Shafawi for their loss,” it said.
In a Facebook post on Oct 11, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said Mr Shafawi “dedicated his life to education, community service, and uplifting others”.
“His leadership nurtured generations of educators and youth leaders who continue to serve with passion and purpose,” Associate Professor Faishal said.
“My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. His lifelong dedication to service, education and faith reflects the community’s values of trust and sincerity,” he added.
