Fatwa Lab
Finance
Development of Cash Wakaf in Singapore:
Leveraging on Contemporary Financial Instruments

The conversation aims to investigate innovative financial tools and strategies to enhance the use of Cash Wakaf for community development in the existing Wakaf environment in Singapore. It also aims to discuss the religious legitimacy and scholarly consensus surrounding the establishment of Cash Wakaf, aligning these principles with the ethical and financial considerations within Islamic finance and investment frameworks, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement and broadening of Cash Wakaf utilisation.

Masagoes Isyak Amin
Mr. Masagoes Isyak Amin
CEO, Warees Investment, Muis, Singapore

Mr. Masagoes Isyak Amin is an experienced professional with a career that spans over 17 years in various private and public sector roles. He is a graduate of National University of Singapore with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Warees Investments, a niche asset management company serving the Muslim community in Singapore. He specializes in the areas of digital transformation, marketing, advertising, and property investments. He has led digitalization efforts within Muis including the launch of seven high profile tech systems and developed marketing and advertising strategies to enhance public education.

Today, Mr. Masagoes Isyak leads a team of real estate professionals in managing, developing, and upgrading community assets and institutions.

Mohd Murat Md Aris
Ustaz Dr. Mohd Murat Md Aris
Deputy Mufti, Singapore

Ustaz Dr. Mohd Murat Md Aris serves as the Deputy Mufti at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) where he is responsible for overseeing religious policies and providing support to the Mufti in guiding the religious development of the Muslim community. Previously, he held the positions of Senior Acting Director of Education and Director in the Office of the Mufti. Apart from his role at Muis, Ustaz Dr. Murat is actively involved in the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), serves as a member of the Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB), and has contributed significantly to the development of asatizah as a member of the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS).

Ustaz Dr. Murat graduated from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, with a degree in Faith and Philosophy, and holds a Diploma in Islamic Law from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), a master's degree from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and a PhD in religious studies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, under the supervision of Professor Abdulkader Tayob.

Muhammad Haris Affandi
Ustaz Muhammad Haris Affandi
Fatwa Lab Researcher, Singapore

Ustaz Muhammad Haris Bin Affandi, who recently graduated from the University of Jordan with a major in Islamic Jurisprudence and Its Foundations, currently holds the position of Finance and Accounting Executive at Warees Investments.

Ustaz Haris' keen research interests span across various dimensions; Islamic Fintech, Religious Policy & Governance, Fatwa Formulation while actively contributing to community development initiatives. His commitment to Islamic Legal Theory and Community Welfare enriches discussion, fostering a connection between traditional Islamic principles and contemporary paradigms.

Chair
Dewi Hartaty Suratty
Ms. Dewi Hartaty Suratty
Director, Asset Policy and Endowment, Muis, Singapore

Ms. Dewi Hartaty Suratty is the Director of Asset Policy and Endowment at Muis, where she spearheads the strategic development and administration of community funds, including zakat, wakaf, and inheritance. Concurrently, she serves as the CEO of Warees Halal.

Ms. Dewi's contributions have been recognised in the publication ‘Contribution of Women in the Global Islamic Economy’, an initiative under the patronage of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries. She holds a Master of Business Administration (Distinction) and a professional certificate in wealth planning.