aLIVE Asatizah Awards 2026 recognises dedicated educators who inspire the next generation

1. On Saturday, 17 October, The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) celebrated the contributions of aLIVE religious educators at the aLIVE Asatizah Awards & Symposium 2026, recognising their dedication to nurturing the knowledge, character and values of the next generation. A total of 32 awards were presented in recognition of excellence in teaching and sustained commitment to students.

2. Held at Aurelia Hall, Perennial Business City, the event was graced by Chief Executive of MUIS, Mr Kadir Maideen, who presented the awards. Themed "Aspire to Inspire: Purpose, Competence and Compassion", the symposium brought together asatizah to exchange ideas, strengthen their teaching practices and explore ways to better support students with diverse learning needs.

3. In his address, Mr Kadir paid tribute to the lasting influence of religious educators, noting that their contributions extend beyond the classroom. "While an aLIVE lesson may last only a few hours each week, the values we teach, the confidence we build, and the encouragement we give can leave a lasting impact on our students. Sometimes, it is the simplest gestures that make the biggest difference – a word of encouragement, a little patience or an act of kindness. These are the moments that our students may carry with them for a long time," said Mr Kadir.

Recognising outstanding and dedicated asatizah

4. The aLIVE Asatizah Awards recognise Asatizah who have made outstanding contributions to Islamic Education and their students’ learning experiences. This year, 20 asatizah received the Outstanding Asatizah Award, selected from 40 nominees based on their teaching competencies, classroom engagement and ability to support students' learning. The remaining 20 nominees received certificates and tokens of appreciation in recognition of their contributions.

5. The Dedicated Asatizah Award recognises part-time asatizah who have demonstrated sustained commitment to teaching while maintaining strong attendance and performance. This year, 12 awards were presented under this category.

6. Among the award recipients was Ustaz Mohamed Yusoff Bin Mohamed Jakaria, this year's Valedictorian, whose teaching journey spans four decades. Having served in both national schools and the madrasah sector, he joined the aLIVE programme in 2025, bringing his experience and passion for education to a new generation of students.

7. Beyond teaching, Ustaz Mohamed Yusoff continues to guide fellow asatizah and support students in their learning and personal development. He believes that every student is an amanah, or trust, entrusted to him, and that even small acts of kindness and encouragement can leave a lasting impact. His journey reflects the spirit of lifelong learning, compassion and dedication that the awards seek to celebrate.

Strengthening future-ready and inclusive teaching

8. Beyond recognising outstanding educators, the symposium provided opportunities for asatizah to reflect on their calling, strengthen their teaching skills and explore ways to engage a new generation of learners.

9. The keynote address by Ustaz Fathurrahman Dawoed, Executive Director of Andalus Corporation Pte Ltd, “Reviving Our Intention, Renewing Our Calling” explored how religious educators can remain grounded in their purpose and spiritual values while responding to the evolving needs of students.

10. Through interactive sessions, including a forum theatre and dialogue on compassionate teaching, participants explored practical ways to engage young learners, respond to diverse learning needs and build meaningful relationships with students. The sessions encouraged educators to approach classroom challenges with empathy, creativity and a willingness to adapt their teaching methods.

11. Participants also explored teaching resources and approaches at the Inspire Walk, which featured six learning hubs covering student engagement, inclusive teaching practices and the use of artificial intelligence to support lesson planning and learning. The showcase highlighted how educators can adopt new tools while keeping students' needs and Islamic educational values at the centre of their teaching.

Supporting the continued growth of asatizah

12. The aLIVE Asatizah Awards & Symposium reflects MUIS's continued commitment to recognising and supporting religious educators in their professional development. By encouraging lifelong learning, collaboration and the exchange of good teaching practices, MUIS seeks to strengthen the quality of Islamic education and support asatizah in responding to the evolving needs of their students.

13. Mr Kadir reaffirmed the importance of supporting educators in their continued growth. "When we invest in our asatizah, we invest in the future of Islamic education in Singapore. Every educator we support has the potential to inspire many more students," said Mr Kadir.