MUIS study finds strong desire for Islamic learning among Singapore Muslims

1. Singapore Muslims want to learn about their faith, consistently and across every life stage. These are among the early findings of an ongoing study by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) on participation in part-time Islamic education, shared today at LearnIslam Fest 2026 at Singapore Expo. 

2. The study, expected to be completed by September 2026, engaged youths aged 18–25, young adults aged 26–35, and parents aged 31–50 with school-going children. Participants were surveyed and engaged through focus group discussions between June and July 2026. 

What the study found

3. Three things stood out:

   • Strong demand. The desire to learn Islam is strong and consistent across every life stage.

   • Relevance matters. Participants want religious education that connects to their daily lives, not just theory. 

   • A sense of belonging keeps people going. A sense of community was a key reason people stayed engaged in their learning. 

4. At the same time, the study also surfaced early indications where current pathways may fall short. 

5. First, work and family commitments are the most common practical constrain on part-time Islamic education. 

6. Second, there is also a need for more diverse programmes catering to learners at different levels so that every learner, regardless of background, can find a suitable starting point. 

What MUIS is doing about the findings

7. MUIS will work closely with the Islamic Education Workgroup (IEWG) to study the full findings and translate them into meaningful improvements for the community.

8. At the festival, MUIS Chief Executive Mr Kadir Maideen presented letters of reappointment to IEWG members, signalling a renewed push for sector-wide collaboration. The IEWG, established in 2019, brings together ten member organisations from across the Islamic education sector — including Islamic Education Centres and Providers (IECPs) — to align efforts and develop best practices.

9. “By working together across our mosques, madrasahs, IECPs, and community partners, we are better placed to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Mr Kadir Maideen. “Every Muslim, at every stage of life, deserves a pathway to Islamic learning that works for them.”

10. Commenting on MUIS’s study and reappointment of the Islamic Education Workgroup (IEWG), Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said: “MUIS’s study reflects our commitment to nurture a Muslim community that is able to practise the faith confidently. This includes ensuring the Muslim community continues to have strong religious guidance through asatizah development and strengthening our religious institutions. I look forward to working closely with MUIS, the Islamic Education Workgroup, the asatizah community and our religious institutions to translate these findings into meaningful and lasting improvements for the community. Together, we will ensure that Islamic education in Singapore remains relevant, rigorous and continues to serve the community.”

LearnIslam Fest 2026

11. LearnIslam Fest 2026 drew expanded participation from 23 partners across mosques, IECPs, and madrasahs. Highlights included the ADIL Knowledge Retreat featuring Dr Tamara Gray, President and CEO of Rabata (Minnesota, US), who spoke on finding purpose amid life's demands. Young learners also took the spotlight in the aLIVE Quran Competition and a newly introduced Arabic Khitabah Competition for children aged 7 to 10.

12. Members of the public can visit learnislam.sg to explore Islamic education programmes suited to their needs.