MUIS statement on sexual offences by alleged religious influencer

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) strongly condemns the serious sexual offences involving youth victims at mosque premises. Our mosques must always be safe and trusted spaces, especially for our children and young people.

The accused is not a mosque staff member or volunteer, nor is he an asatizah accredited under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS).

MUIS encourages Muslims, whether online or in person, to seek guidance from ARS-accredited asatizah, who meet recognised standards of training and professional conduct. Members of the public can verify whether an asatizah is ARS-accredited by referring to the online ARS directory on the MUIS website. Individuals who appear or present themselves as religious should not automatically be regarded as qualified religious teachers.

The safety of our mosque visitors is paramount. In light of this case, we will strengthen existing security measures, including patrols and CCTV monitoring, to keep our mosques safe for all.

Safeguarding, however, extends beyond our mosque premises. As more religious engagement takes place online, parents, mosque leaders, asatizah and the wider community have an important role in helping our young recognise trusted sources, navigate online interactions safely, and speak up when something does not seem right.

MUIS will continue to strengthen our safeguards, both within our mosques and in the online space, and work with the community to ensure that our young are safe and supported. We remain committed to keeping our mosques safe, trusted and welcoming spaces for all.