Kadi and Naib Kadi Appointment Ceremony

Ustaz Syakir Pasuni, Registrar, ROMM

Our respected Kadi/Naib Kadi, Members of the Bersamamu family

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Good afternoon, everyone.

1. Today is a meaningful occasion as we come together to recognise the individuals who play an important role in supporting Muslim marriages and their families.

2. Every marriage begins with an akad nikah, but the role of a Kadi or Naib Kadi goes beyond the solemnisation. Couples need guidance early, from someone they can trust to walk with them through the early stages of marriage.

3. This is why our Kadi and Naib Kadi play such an important role. Beyond solemnising marriages, you help couples journey through their marriage with confidence, clarity and care.

4. This is the spirit of Bersamamu — supporting couples early, strengthening marriages, and helping families build a strong foundation from the start. It also reflects our wider ‘We First’ approach, where the community comes together to support one another.

Honouring dedication through reappointment and appointment of Kadi and Naib Kadi

5. Today, we recognise 62 Kadi and Naib Kadi, who will serve our community over the next three years. Among them are 14 Kadi - eight who have been re-appointed, and six who have progressed from the ranks of Naib Kadi. We also welcome 48 Naib Kadi, including 23 who are joining us for the first time.

6. To those who are newly appointed – congratulations!  This appointment reflects the trust placed in you and the confidence that you will carry out this responsibility with dedication and compassion.

7. To those who have been re-appointed, thank you for your continued dedication to supporting marriages and families in our community.

8. I would also like to pay tribute to our four outgoing Kadi and Naib Kadi – Ustaz Nor Razak Bakar, Ustaz Yusop Hashim, Ustaz Mohamed Asysallehan and Ustaz Ya’acob Ishak. We thank you for your years of service and the guidance, counsel and support you have provided to countless couples and families. Your contributions have helped strengthen the Bersamamu programme that will continue to benefit the community for years to come.  

9. I also extend my appreciation to our asatizah, whose support continues to strengthen the Bersamamu ecosystem, including through initiatives such as PERGAS’ Asatizah Solace Care.

10. Well done!

Strengthening the Bersamamu ecosystem

11. Today’s appointments are not just about recognising service. They are also part of a wider effort to strengthen our Bersamamu ecosystem, so that newly married couples can receive timely guidance and be connected to the right support when they need it.

12. Since its launch in 2019, Bersamamu has supported over 36,000 couples. This has been made possible through strong partnership between ROMM, MUIS, AMP, PPIS, PERGAS and our mosques and many others. As announced at this year’s Committee of Supply, we will deploy Family Development Officers at four lead mosques across Singapore: Al-Falah Mosque in District South, Al-Khair Mosque in District West, Darul Ghufran Mosque in District East, and An-Nur Mosque in District North. Each lead mosque will work with other mosques within its district to expand family development programmes to couples. For example, Ustaz Muhammad Shafaat Mohd Syonan from Darul Ghufran Mosque, will serve a dual role as Family Development Officer and Naib Kadi, providing holistic support to couples in District East.

13. Beyond Bersamamu, families can also tap on the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) suite of programmes, including the Cinta Abadi marriage programme and the Strengthening Families Programme (FAM). These programmes complement Bersamamu, offering an additional layer of support at different stages of a couple’s journey.

14. I am pleased to share that starting this month, ARIF is now a permanent part of Bersamamu, with AMP Singapore leading the programme delivery to better prepare couples for parenthood and give every child the strongest possible start in life.

15. By working closely with ROMM, MUIS, our mosques and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), AMP will help ensure that couples receive timely guidance and support as they navigate different stages of married life. This is the spirit of M3+ - to bring our partners together so that we can better support our community.

Preserving legacy through Bersamamu commemorative book

16. Beyond programmes and services, we must also preserve the knowledge and experience that have guided our community over the years. I welcome the collaboration between ROMM and Berita Harian, on a commemorative publication featuring reflections and advice from our Kadi, Naib Kadi and asatizah. Through this publication, future generations can continue to benefit from the collective wisdom and experience of those who have spent years supporting couples and families.

Conclusion

Please allow me to conclude in Malay.

17. Perkahwinan yang bahagia berasaskan sakinah, mawaddah dan rahmah. Ini bukan sekadar ungkapan indah, tetapi pegangan dan amalan yang kita hayati setiap hari dalam mendampingi para pasangan dan keluarga.

18. Hari ini, kita meraikan pelantikan dan mengiktiraf sumbangan 62 Kadi dan Naib Kadi – termasuk 23 Naib Kadi baru yang menyertai keluarga Bersamamu buat pertama kalinya. Tahniah kepada semua yang dilantik.

19. Pelantikan ini membawa amanah yang besar. Sebagai Kadi dan Naib Kadi, anda bukan sahaja menyempurnakan akad nikah – tuan-tuan adalah pembimbing, tempat rujukan dan sumber inspirasi bagi pasangan yang baru melangkah ke alam rumah tangga. Pikul amanah ini dengan penuh hikmah, ihsan dan dedikasi. Keluarga-keluarga masyarakat kita bergantung kepada anda.

20. Saya juga ingin tujukan penghargaan saya kepada para asatizah kita, yang tidak jemu-jemu memberi bimbingan kepada masyarakat, termasuk melalui inisiatif seperti PERGAS Solace Care. Sumbangan mereka memperkayakan usaha kita dalam mendampingi keluarga serta membantu pasangan menghadapi cabaran kehidupan dengan lebih yakin dan berdaya tahan.

21. Sejak dilancarkan pada tahun 2019, Bersamamu telah menyokong lebih daripada 36,000 pasangan dan kita akan terus berkembang. Kita akan menempatkan Pegawai Pembangunan Keluarga (atau Family Development Officers) di empat masjid utama — Masjid Al-Falah, Masjid Al-Khair, Masjid Darul Ghufran, dan Masjid An-Nur — yang akan bekerjasama dengan masjid-masjid lain dalam daerah masing-masing untuk memperluas program pembangunan keluarga. Sokongan kepada keluarga akan lebih dekat, lebih tersusun dan lebih berkesan.

22. Saya juga gembira melihat ARIF kini sebahagian daripada ekosistem Bersamamu, dengan AMP menerajui usaha ini. Ini mencerminkan keyakinan bahawa apabila masyarakat, institusi dan individu berganding bahu dengan matlamat yang sama, kita mampu membawa perubahan yang bermakna. Inilah semangat M3+ (M3plus) yang kita inginkan.

23. Tahniah juga atas penerbitan buku komemoratif yang menghimpunkan pengalaman, kebijaksanaan dan nasihat para Kadi, Naib Kadi dan asatizah wanita kita. Semoga ia menjadi panduan yang bermanfaat bagi keluarga-keluarga masyarakat kita, supaya dapat membina rumah tangga yang lebih bahagia dan sejahtera, InsyaAllah.

24. Sekali lagi, tahniah kepada semua yang dilantik, dan terima kasih kepada semua pihak yang telah menyumbang kepada kejayaan usaha ini.

25. Izinkan saya akhiri dengan pantun ini:

Pergi ke kebun memetik peria,

Sandar sejenak di pohon rambutan,

Jasa tuan kami kenang selamanya,

Menjadi pedoman sepanjang zaman.

Indah sungguh bunga kemboja,

Harum semerbak di tepi laman,

Selamat memikul amanah mulia,

Semoga mendapat reda Allah Arrahman

26. Terima kasih.