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SINGAPORE \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The ARIF programme<\/span><\/a>, which begins in June, <\/i><\/b>was started as a pilot in September 2020, and it will now come under Bersamamu (Malay for \u201cWith You\u201d), an initiative under the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) that was launched in 2019.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Bersamamu supports Muslim couples through their marriage journey and early years of family life.<\/p>\n The pilot phase was known as Project ARIF \u2013 a collaboration between Temasek Foundation, the KK Women\u2019s and Children\u2019s Hospital (KKH), and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).<\/p>\n Associate Professor Faishal said that by bringing ARIF under Bersamamu, couples will get support earlier, and also be able to access resources more easily.<\/p>\n \u201cThe aim is simple: to better prepare parents, and give every child the strongest possible start in life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Prof Faishal also said that AMP Singapore \u2013 otherwise known as the Association of Muslim Professionals \u2013 will be appointed to lead the ARIF programme from June 2026.<\/p>\n He said AMP Singapore brings deep expertise in strengthening families and providing community-based support, and will work with other partners \u2013 including MUIS, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, ROMM, mosques and KKH \u2013 to deliver the programme.<\/p>\n Prof Faishal added that this demonstrates M3+ in action \u2013 referring to self-help group Mendaki, MUIS and the People\u2019s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council working with other partners to support the Malay\/Muslim community.<\/p>\n He said that since the start of Project ARIF, 12,000 people have been supported through public education talks.<\/p>\n Among them were 5,175 couples who received a maternal and child health booklet that contained tips, checklists and information about newborn babies\u2019 milestones to guide them in their parenthood journey.<\/p>\n Another 124 marriage solemnisers and mosque staff were trained by the KKH to support families through key milestones in life.<\/p>\n Prof Faishal said Project ARIF\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Associate Professor Suzanna Sulaiman, deputy chairman of KKH\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Prof Suzanna, who is KKH\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Ms Nurashima Kamal, 34, attended a Project ARIF Ramadan breastfeeding event just weeks before she delivered her first child in February 2025.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n