Singapore Braces For First Ever Female President, That Too–A Hijab-Wearing Muslim Woman
Singapore is all set to welcome its first ever female and Muslim President in more than 47 years that too- a hijab-wearing Malay woman named Halimah Yacob. The 63-years-old politician had been Speaker of Singapore Parliament until August this year. She will take over the top post on Thursday as she is the only candidate in the fray.
Singapore gets the first female President without a vote who meets all necessary qualifications for Presidency regulated by Singaporean Election Department. She is set to win the Presidency via a walk-over after been declared the only eligible candidate for the office on 11 September 2017. It was declared that she will be the eight President “shortly after nominations close at noon on Wednesday” on 13 September 2017.
Following the nomination, Yacob said on Monday “I can only say that I promise to do the best that I can serve the people of Singapore and that doesn’t change whether there is an election or no election.” Further, she says “I believe President’s role is to act as a unifying force. Obviously, there is a work that I have to do, but the most important thing for me is I would like Singaporeans to work together with me.”
Halimah Binti Yacob is a Singaporean politician of paternal Indian and maternal Malay descent and she was the ninth Speaker of Parliament, from January 2013 to August 2017. She was the first woman to hold this post in Republic`s history. Halimah is married to Mohammed Abdullah Allabshee, of Arab descent with five children. She did her graduation from the University of Singapore with a law degree.
It’s a defining moment for a country that a hijab wearing women is going to embark her President journey in Singapore.
In Singapore, the Prime Minister is the most powerful political leader and head of the executive who is responsible for running administration, while the President’s role is largely ceremonial. However, the president holds some important responsibilities, such as the ability to block key public-sector appointments, investigate allegations of corruption, and appoint a prime minister.
By: Aviral Nigam