A Maslahah-Mafsadah Assessment
The focus of the discussion is to assess the permissibility and ethical considerations of ‘cultivated meat’ from an Islamic viewpoint, employing the Maqāṣid approach, exploring its potential benefits and comprehending the diverse challenges in developing positions on novel food products. The session aims to examine both the scientific and religious aspects of cultivated meat, offering valuable insights for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers.
Dr. Maanasa Ravikumar is GFI APAC's SciTech Specialist for cultivated meat. Prior to joining GFI, she worked as a scientist at Ivy Farm Technologies in the UK, spearheading research into multi-species cultivated meat products.
Dr. Maanasa is passionate about science communication and has volunteered for various initiatives aimed at increasing engagement between researchers and the general public. She holds a Ph.D. in stem cell glycobiology from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor's degree in biomedical science from the University of Sheffield.
Ustaz Dr. Izal Mustafa Kamar is currently the Deputy Mufti at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). He graduated with a master’s degree in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh from the University College of Da’wah in Beirut. He previously studied Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University. He also earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Studies from the University of Technology (UTM), Raja Zarith Sofiah Center for Advanced Studies in Islam, Science, and Civilization, Malaysia.
Ustaz Dr. Izal joined Muis in 2009 followed by the appointment as the Head of the Office of the Mufti, and Deputy Director (Office of the Mufti – Religious Policy). In his experience for more than a decade, he has played an important role in managing fatwa research. He is involved in the development of fatwas on key issues such as joint tenancy, CPF and Insurance Nomination, as well as the religious position on the Special Needs Trust Company Scheme and is involved in matters related to Islamic Astronomy (falak).
Ustazah Zahratur Rofiqah Mochamad Sandisi is currently leading a Fatwa Lab group tasked with investigating the Islamic perspective of cultivated meat as part of the ongoing discussions on novel food technology. She graduated from Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah and holds a Bachelor's degree and Master in Islamic Jurisprudence and its Foundation from the University of Jordan.
Currently, Ustazah Zahratur Rofiqah serves as a lecturer and examination assessment officer at the Singapore Islamic Scholars & Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) and is an active volunteer in the social service sector. Her research interests include socio-religious issues and climate change.
Mr. Zalman Ali is currently the Director of Halal Development in Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). He has more than twenty years' experience in the Muslim community sector where he was involved in pioneering efforts to set up new research and strategic policy units. He began his career in Muis in 1998 in the Office of the Mufti. His past roles include developing Singapore's madrasah and Islamic education sectors and future Islamic higher education institution, driving efforts to shape progressive religious thinking and conceptualising the interfaith agenda, strategic policy development on emerging issues like management of diversity, counter-extremism and exclusivism.
In 2006, Mr. Zalman was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to pursue an MA in Religious Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace in Connecticut, USA. His area of research interest is on the role of religion in modern societies.