Community 
Mutalif Hashim wears many hats and is active in community leadership. His many roles include President of the Association for Devoted and Active Men (ADAM) and Just Parenting Association, Chairman of Darussalam Mosque and Chua Chu Kang Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle, as well as Councillor for South West CDC and Hong Kah Town Council.
He is father to four fine young ladies, twins Nur Hazwani and Nur Syazwani, 25, Nur Aishah, 22 and Nur Hafiza, 19.
Roots in the Community
From a young age, Mutalif accompanied his late mother on her daily routine. He says, “I was about seven or eight years of age when I began following my mother, who loved helping people in the neighbourhood. People would come to her for advice on every little thing.”
Mutalif’s mother enjoyed a reputation for helping others and giving advice to any one in need. For him, this was the beginning of a legacy that stands until today. He found himself deeply moved to contribute to community, and today it forms his life work.
On the home front, Mutalif also developed a very remarkable outlook on gender roles. Growing up, his late father played the part not just of breadwinner, but also carried out domestic chores. “After he returned from work each day, my father used to clean the house and hang the clothes outside to dry,” says Mutalif.
This was so unusual at the time, especially among communities living in the kampongs. “People used to say that my mother had cast a spell on him to make him do those things.” Mutalif remarks, chuckling. The truth is, Mutalif’s father really enjoyed taking care of the home.
A Continuing Legacy
As a result of his parents’ influence, Mutalif says he lives with the conviction that, “You must walk the talk (as a father). You have to set the example. I believe this because I followed the legacy of my mother and father.”
Indeed, Mutalif today is a man who is very involved in contributing to the betterment of the lives of individuals and communities. At home, he has also taken after his father’s example, and enjoys helping around and serving the family members.
With his children, Mutalif has had his challenges, and has met them with grit and sacrifice. Describing his twin daughters as “slow starters”, he determined to show them that getting an education was possible at any age (Mutalif himself had entered the workforce immediately after completing secondary school).
Thus, at over forty years of age, Mutalif embarked on - and completed - a degree in Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Wales. His twin daughters today have likewise succeeded academically.
He also recalls one incident when Nur Syazwani, then eleven, faced temptation in school, as her peers were smoking. He was a smoker himself then, but made the effort to quit smoking in order to encourage her to say no to her peers.
“Children take you as a mirror,” Mutalif declares. Perhaps the fact that his daughters are all active in community work, drives home the point – they have been helping out in various roles at the mosque, as well as in the Just Parenting Association.
He has taught them that community work is not just about doing things for others. Mutalif tries his best to let his children understand, “… by helping others, you also help yourself. You create life for yourself.” This is the way that he communicates the importance of having a sense of purpose, which he hopes will drive his children’s efforts – making them productive in a meaningful way.
Mutalif’s Fatherhood Journey
Focusing on his children, Mutalif reflects, “With children, you need to keep close to them.” He tells us that he makes it a point to have meals with his children. When it was time for his university graduation, he flew his family to Wales for the ceremony and to spend time together.
Despite playing so many roles, Mutalif’s commitment to his children is clear on many levels. He knows, for example, that “They are not happy if I criticise their likes.” As a result of this, he even learnt to appreciate the Korean pop music that his daughters are big fans of.
His pride in his daughters is combined with the hope that they will also take after him in enjoying the fulfilling work of bettering the lives of others. He also sees himself carrying on with his community work for a long time, as he cannot stand to think of the monotony that comes without having his work.
Quite aptly, Mutalif paraphrases the former Minister Mentor, “… when you stop working, you die faster.” Indeed, for this man who found life in his work, we wish him many fruitful years ahead as a Dad for Life.
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
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