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Religious Leadership Development Programme (RLDP)
Strengthening religious leadership to serve the community.
Last updated 24 August 2026
1. About RLDP
The Religious Leadership Development Programme (RLDP) is MUIS's initiative designed specifically for asatizah — leaders seeking to deepen their impact.
This is Singapore's only religious leadership executive programme created exclusively for asatizah, developed through a collaboration between MUIS and the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS).
RLDP recognises that religious leadership in a multicultural society requires both depth and breadth. This programme was designed to cultivate exactly that.
Across three semesters, RLDP strengthens capabilities across three interconnected domains that define modern religious leadership: Religious Thought and Leadership, Governance and Public Policy, and Stakeholder Engagement.
Each semester requires up to five consecutive days of in-person engagement and dialogue sessions throughout the year. The programme runs over 12 months and is fully funded by MUIS.
For a copy of the prospectus, please click MUIS RLDP Prospectus [PDF, 1.10 MB] (opens in new tab)
2. Programme structure & content
Programme structure & content
Semester 1 | |
Module 1: Governance of Muslim Affairs in Singapore | Understand the landscape asatizah serve within. Through case studies and direct engagement with current and former practitioners, participants develop a working knowledge of public administration and policy development in Singapore's unique context. In group work, participants develop policy responses to future scenarios that could affect religious communities — moving from theory to application from day one. |
Semester 2 | |
Module 2: Leadership and Community Engagement | Start by understanding asatizah as leaders — assess capabilities, identify areas for growth, and explore what collaborative leadership really means through peer learning and case studies. Participants then put this into practice by building trust, establishing rapport, and engaging meaningfully with the communities they serve. Learning journeys to community organisations round off the experience, giving participants a firsthand look at leaders doing this work on the ground. |
Semester 3 | |
Module 3: Advancing Religious Thought in Singapore | Sharpen scholarship in dialogue with Singapore's religious leadership. Participants engage directly with contemporary religious issues, work in multidisciplinary groups to address complex modern topics, and develop the conviction to deliver religious guidance that is both grounded and clear. This is where scholarship meets practice. |
Throughout the Programme | |
Leadership dialogue series | Held across all three semesters, participants engage in closed-door dialogues, fireside chats, and roundtable discussions with distinguished religious scholars, policy experts, and community leaders. |
Learning journeys | Structured exposure to diverse work practices and community dynamics across Singapore's multicultural society, broadening participants' perspectives beyond their immediate context. |
Capstone project | In groups and under close mentorship, participants address a real issue in the sector and present their deliverables at the end of the programme withpractical, real-world applications. |
Optional: Supplementary programmes | Participants may join seminars, symposiums, conferences, as well as Fatwa Lab, to pursue advanced research at various points throughout the programme. |
3. Who should apply
Who should apply
Eligibility | Certified asatizah under Tier 1 of the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS), with strong leadership potential and a deep commitment to Singapore's Muslim community. |
Experienced professionals | In-service asatizah from mosques, madrasahs, MUIS, Syariah Court, Registry of Muslim Marriages, and Muslim community organisations, with proven dedication and a readiness to take on greater leadership responsibilities within Singapore’s religious sector. |
Emerging talents | Asatizah who are ARS tier 1 certified or currently pursuing ARS Tier 1 certification. |
What we look for | Beyond formal qualifications, RLDP seeks asatizah who demonstrate genuine commitment to serving Singapore's Muslim community, leadership potential and commitment to continuous growth, intellectual curiosity and openness to diverse perspectives, and the courage to bridge scholarship with community realities. |
Time commitment | Each semester requires five consecutive days of in-person attendance. Applicants are expected to secure employer support prior to joining the programme. |
4. Application details
Programme details
Duration: 12 months across three semesters
Cost: Fully funded by MUIS — no fees required
Application period
20 July to 31 August 2026
Applications may be submitted at https://go.gov.sg/rldp-application-2026 (opens in new tab)
Required documents (all in PDF format):
Current curriculum vitae (updated within the last 6 months)
Recent passport-sized photograph (digital format)
Scanned copies of highest qualification certificates and transcripts
Letter of recommendation from employer, academic supervisor, or community leader
Selection process
Applications are assessed based on leadership potential, commitment to serving Singapore's Muslim community, alignment with programme objectives and recommendation by a current or previous employer, academic supervisor, or community leader. All applicants will be notified of their outcomes via email. Successful candidates will then be invited to a programme overview briefing.
Completion requirements
To successfully complete the programme, participants must:
Maintain a minimum 80% attendance for each module
Satisfactorily complete all assignments and assessments
Actively participate in group projects and dialogue sessions
Successfully complete the capstone project or advanced research (Semester 3)
5. Learning experience & outcomes
RLDP is designed to develop religious leaders who are equipped for the realities of contemporary Singapore. Participants will deepen their capacity to analyse and respond to emerging religious issues with rigour and foresight, staying attuned to the evolving needs of the Muslim community.
The programme also builds a grounded understanding of Singapore's national priorities and policy landscape, enabling asatizah to exercise informed, strategic leadership that strengthens the community's socio-religious life. Beyond individual capability, RLDP cultivates the collaborative instincts needed to work effectively with fellow asatizah and engage meaningfully with government agencies, community organisations, and inter-religious partners toward shared goals.
Graduates leave not just better informed but better prepared to lead.
6. After the programme
Certificate of Completion
Participants who successfully complete RLDP will receive a certificate from MUIS in recognition of their achievement. The certificate reflects a commitment to professional development and a readiness to take on greater leadership responsibilities within Singapore's religious sector.
Alumni network & ongoing engagement
Completing RLDP marks the beginning of a longer journey. Graduates join a growing community of religious leaders across cohorts, with opportunities to mentor future participants, attend subsequent programmes and sessions, and sustain the networks and relationships built during the programme.