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 (ARIF), 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 in 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 (Malay for “With You”), an initiative under the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) that was launched in 2019.
Bersamamu supports Muslim couples through their marriage journey and early years of family life.
The pilot phase was known as Project ARIF – a collaboration between Temasek Foundation, the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
Associate Professor Faishal said that by bringing ARIF under Bersamamu, couples will get support earlier, and also be able to access resources more easily.
