4 Pet Sheep. 36 Years. One Family Farm.
Before there was a programme, before there was a farm — there were 4 sheep kept as beloved pets behind a small home in Brunei. This is the story of Puan Siti Alawiyah and Sheikh Adnan, the couple behind Aliyah Rizq Holdings.
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Puan Siti Alawiyah
Founder, Aliyah Rizq Holdings
A Singaporean educator who taught Arabic and Islamic studies at Madrasah in Singapore before moving to Brunei, where she served at the Kementerian Halihwal Ugama Negara Brunei Darussalam (Ministry of Religious Affairs). She also ran private Quran classes for Singaporean families living in Brunei.
Her quiet dream of a retirement farm — anchored in a deep connection to her sheep — became the seed of Aliyah Rizq Holdings.
Sheikh Adnan
Co-Founder, Aliyah Rizq Holdings
An Arabic speaker who went straight from Singapore to Brunei, Sheikh Adnan spent decades in the Haj and Umrah industry. He served as the sole General Sales Agent (GSA) for Saudi Airlines in Brunei — the only entity authorised to issue Saudi Airlines tickets in the country at the time.
He later served as Chief Mutawif at Darussalam Holdings — the Sultan of Brunei's semi-government entity that owns hotels in Mecca and Madinah for Bruneian pilgrims. He subsequently built a successful fresh Rotab date import business, growing from 1 ton to over 20 tons annually.
Together, Puan Alawiyah and Sheikh Adnan spent 36 years working in Brunei. They raised their two children — Nabila and Ahmad Naufal — often juggling Puan Alawiyah's government work, Sheikh Adnan's frequent travel to Saudi Arabia, and childcare without family nearby. Brunei residents became like family.
They are Singaporeans. And like all Singaporeans who live abroad, they always knew they would come home.
It Started With 4 Sheep — as Pets
While still working in Brunei, Puan Alawiyah started keeping 4 sheep and goats (3 female, 1 male) in a small pen behind their home. This was not a business idea. These were beloved pets.
She named them. She called them by name when she came home from work. When neighbours and friends visited, they would ask: "Siti, mana kambing yang namanya Lofa?" The sheep had celebrity status in the neighbourhood.
The pets quickly multiplied — first pregnancy, then twins, then triplets. Space became a problem. Puan Alawiyah had to give some away to friends to care for. But the connection never left her.
The Names She Gave Her Sheep
"Kambing saya ini sebenarnya macam pet lah — bukannya macam kita nak ternak nak jadikan sumber pendapatan tambahan. Dia ada nama yang paling glamour."— Puan Siti Alawiyah, Golden Nuggets Podcast EP 200
How a Retirement Dream Became a Real Farm
Thinking About Coming Home
As their years in Brunei grew longer, Puan Alawiyah kept returning to one thought: when they came home to Singapore, what would retirement look like? She wanted something meaningful — something tied to the land, to animals, to farming. "Hujan di negeri orang, kita mesti ada persediaan." (Even when it rains in someone else's country, you must be prepared for home.)
Daughter Nabila Marries Ashraf
When their daughter Nabila married Nur Ashraf — a young man with deep experience in livestock farming — Puan Alawiyah found her moment. She mentioned her dream of a proper farm. Ashraf simply said: "InsyaAllah boleh."
The Farm Takes Shape
What started as a quiet retirement plan became a real operation. Ashraf's livestock expertise, combined with Nabila's commitment and Puan Alawiyah's vision, transformed the idea into Aliyah Rizq Farm in Kota Tinggi, Johor.
Growing Beyond All Expectations
None of them expected the business to reach the scale it did. "Tak sangka business ini sampai sebesar ini," Puan Alawiyah shared. The ideas kept coming — from Ashraf, from Nabila — and the farm kept growing.
The OwnerSheep Programme
As the farm matured, Aliyah Rizq Holdings developed a structured way for Singaporeans to participate in the farm's halal livestock ownership — under a Syariah-compliant framework. The OwnerSheep Programme was born.
Ashraf — The Man Running the Farm
What Puan Alawiyah says about her son-in-law
"Ashraf adalah antara orang yang gigih betul. Dia terus apa yang dia nak, dia selalu mesti dia capai. Saya sebagai orang tua rasa bangga — dia betul-betul berusaha, fokus untuk perniagaan dan kehidupan dia dan untuk family dia juga."
("Ashraf is truly one of the most hardworking people I know. Whatever he sets his mind to, he always achieves it. As a parent, I feel proud — he truly strives, focused on his business, his life, and his family.")
Nur Ashraf brings hands-on livestock farming expertise (pentanakan) that complements Puan Alawiyah's vision and Sheikh Adnan's decades of business experience. This is a family business in the truest sense — built on trust, competence, and shared values.
Two Pieces of Wisdom from Sheikh Adnan
After 36 years abroad — navigating Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Madinah — Sheikh Adnan distilled his philosophy of life into two simple but profound ideas. He shares these with his children and grandchildren.
Live like a fish in the ocean — the fish lives in salty water, yet it remains fresh. It is never salty itself.
Lesson: No matter the environment around you, maintain your own identity and values. Do not let the world dissolve who you are.
Faith should be like iron — not like bread. Iron soaked in water for years remains heavy. Bread dissolves.
Lesson: A faith that can be diluted by pressure, trend, or temptation was never strong enough. Build it to last.
Why This Story Matters to You
When you join the OwnerSheep Programme, you are not placing your trust in a corporate entity or an anonymous fund. You are trusting a real Singapore family — with a real origin story, real values, and real skin in the game.
Family-run, not corporate
Puan Alawiyah, Nabila, and Ashraf are directly involved in the farm. Your sheep are tended by people who started with 4 pets named Lofa, Darling, and Honey.
36 years of earned credibility
Sheikh Adnan's career spans Saudi Airlines GSA, Darussalam Holdings, and Rotab date imports. This is a family with deep roots in the Muslim business world.
Values you can verify
Their story has been shared publicly — on the Golden Nuggets Podcast, EP 200. Listen to it yourself. This is a family comfortable with transparency.
Singaporeans, for Singaporeans
Puan Alawiyah and Sheikh Adnan built this programme specifically knowing they were returning home. Their community is your community.
"Tak sangka business ini sampai sebesar ini."— Puan Siti Alawiyah, when asked about Aliyah Rizq Holdings today
("We never imagined the business would grow this big.")
Listen to the full story: Puan Siti Alawiyah and Sheikh Adnan shared their journey — from Brunei to the farm — on the Golden Nuggets Podcast, Episode 200: "They Started a Farm With Just 4 Sheep."
Search "Golden Nuggets Podcast EP 200 Aliyah Rizq" on YouTube or Spotify to hear the founding story in their own words.
Ready to Be Part of This Story?
The OwnerSheep Programme gives you real livestock ownership — managed by a family farm with a 36-year legacy of integrity. Join the Aliyah Rizq family as an owner.
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