Applications for Tarawih Prayers at Qaryah Community Venues

*1698. Mr Fadli Fawzi: To ask the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs in the past ten years (a) what are the requirements for letters of support from MUIS to hold tarawih or night prayers performed during Ramadan at qaryah community group venues; (b) how many applications for such letters have been from the People’s Association (PA) or other organisations and individuals; and (c) what is the success rate of applications by those unaffiliated with the PA.

Response:

1. Qaryahs are ground-up groups that organise social and religious activities for our Muslim community, such as congregational Tarawih prayers at community venues.

2. To receive the Letter of Support to organise Tarawih Prayers, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) requires Qaryahs to be affiliated with a mosque. This is to allow our mosques to guide Qaryahs on the relevant religious and operational requirements. For instance, prayers must be conducted by a qualified religious teacher, and funds collected must be properly safe guarded.

3. Qaryah representatives make applications for the Letter of Support directly to MUIS. While ten-year data is unavailable, all applications to MUIS in the last three years have been successful.