Patience and consistency are keys to success. This is the motto that greets you as you stand before Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah. Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah stands as a beacon of Islamic education for girls in Singapore. It is one of only six full-time Islamic madrasahs in Singapore.
Founded in 1936 by Syeikh Muhammad Fadlullah Suhaimi, Al-Ma’arif was a progressive step forward. Syeikh Muhammad Fadlullah Suhaimi was a strong advocate for girls’ education. His vision was clear. He wanted to provide a holistic education that combined religious and secular knowledge.
Al-Ma’arif’s reformist ideals were apparent from the start. It included non-religious subjects in its curriculum. Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah was the first madrasah to accept both female and male students. Today, it exclusively educates girls.
Step inside and imagine the bustling classrooms. Picture young women engrossed in their studies. They are mastering both Islamic principles and secular subjects. The curriculum places equal emphasis on both. This approach prepares students for success in all aspects of life.
In the 1960s, Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah broke new ground. It was the first madrasah to prepare its students for the GCE O Level examinations. Later, it prepared them for the GCE A Level examinations in the 1970s. This revolutionary shift reflected the belief that madrasah students should master both religious and secular subjects.
Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah stands on wakaf land. Wakaf lands are vested in MUIS. MUIS is the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura. The Management Committee is registered under the Education Act. The members of the committee are registered by the Ministry of Education every 2 years.
Al-Ma’arif has produced many notable alumni. Dinah Aziz was the first madrasah student to score seven A1s in the O Level examinations in 2008. Amalina Ridzuan was offered a place in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. She was one of the first madrasah students to achieve this.
Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah continues to uphold its founder’s vision. It provides a nurturing environment where girls can excel academically and spiritually. It empowers them to become confident. They become knowledgeable Muslim women who contribute to society. The pink and white walls echo with the success stories of generations. They embody the spirit of patience and consistency.