MABIMS Was Held in Singapore on 21 November 2012

The 15th MABIMS, the unofficial meeting of the ministers in charge of Islamic affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, was held in Singapore on 21 November 2012.

The MABIMS member states unanimously agreed to jointly pioneer and innovate for the ultimate goal of promoting the development and advancement of the region.

The conference recognized the programs that member states have implemented in cooperation in recognized strategic areas and special areas. The achievements in these areas of cooperation are as follows:

a. The MABIMS Scholars' Roundtable brings together scholars and experts to discuss current shared challenges and hot issues together. MABIMS has reached a consensus, hoping to use this meeting to gather experts from different schools of thought of the member states and, through regular planning and discussion, build an ethical framework that is in essence consistent with the basic principles of Sharia law and also applicable across the member states.

b. The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) also successfully raised awareness of the role played in the development of the Muslim community, especially in poverty eradication. The MABIMS member states also reached a consensus to help each other in poverty eradication, such as sharing research results. These are all measures taken to promote development.

To further strengthen and consolidate cooperation in this region, MABIMS decided to introduce a series of improvement measures to facilitate the realization of cooperation in specific strategic areas. The MABIMS members unanimously agreed to set up technical committees in each area of cooperation. The committees that have been or are about to be established are as follows:

a. Youth Development Technical Committee

b. MABIMS Regional Halal Promotion Special Technical Committee

c. Education Technical Committee

MABIMS also used digital office services to publish the work it has done and the cooperation it has reached in the region so far, in order to publicize MABIMS's contributions to international affairs.

The Gaza conflict

All MABIMS countries feel deep pain over the Gaza tragedy. We regret this conflict that has cost the lives of many innocent people, including women and children. This conflict has harmed the livelihoods and property of the people of Gaza. MABIMS urges both parties responsible for the conflict to stop all aggression and armed activities that destroy local residents. We also call on all stakeholders and political brokers to take immediate action to end the conflict and bring the region back to calm.

The Muslims of the MABIMS member states also empathize with the pain of people facing humanitarian crises like the people of Gaza. We pray to Almighty Allah to bless these crisis-affected regions. May they have the strength and patience to get through difficult times, and may Allah guide them so that peace returns.