Speech by Chief Executive of MUIS, Mr Kadir Maideen, at the LearnIslam Fest 2026

Respected Asatizah,  
Representatives of the Islamic Education Workgroup (IEWG), community leaders, 
Parents, students, and members of our Muslim community who are here at the EXPO, 

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.  

1. It is such a pleasure to be here at the LearnIslam Fest 2026. As I come in, I can sense the Fest just got bigger. I recall the early days of the Fest when we were at Downtown East, very small footprint. Last year we were here, but here we are this year bigger and better, inshaAllah.  

2. This year's theme is “Plant the Seeds of Faith” – the same as last year. And I think that is fitting. A seed does not become a tree in a single season. Neither does faith. It grows slowly, through patience, care and the support of a community. The work we began together continues, just like the seeds of faith. And I am glad that so many of you are here, the IEWG members, our othe partners and not to mention the food stalls., across all ages and walks of life, to continue with this journey of planting the seeds of faith for our community. 

3. Islamic education is the foundation of our religious understanding, our moral character, and our sense of identity as Muslims. In a world, where information is abundant but may not always be reliable, being grounded in our faith matters more than ever. When we learn not just the what, but the why — it equips us with the knowledge to navigate life with clarity and confidence. This is why the pursuit of Islamic knowledge is a lifelong commitment. 

Islamic Education for All 

4. At the heart of today's gathering is a simple but powerful conviction: Islamic education is for everyone. Not just for children in weekend classes. Not just for the devout or the learned. But for every Muslim, at every stage of life. Whether you are a parent hoping to give your child a strong foundation, a working adult seeking to deepen your understanding, or a senior looking to reconnect with your faith, there is a place for you in this journey. 

5. Our community today benefits from a wide range of learning pathways. For children and youths, there are interactive classes that blend traditional teachings with engaging, age-appropriate activities. For working adults, flexible options such as evening classes, weekend intensives, online modules, and self-paced learning make it possible to learn while managing the demands of daily life. For our seniors, there are programmes tailored to deepening faith and building community in the later years of life.  

6. And yet, perhaps you have a friend who has been meaning to sign up but never quite got around to it. Perhaps you yourself have felt that pull, the desire to learn more but found that life got in the way. If that resonates, you are not alone. And that is precisely why we are here today. 

Participation in Islamic Education 

7. This is why MUIS has been listening. Over the past few months, we have been conducting a study on participation in part-time Islamic education. We spoke with youths, young adults, and parents across different walks of life, to better understand who is learning, who we may be missing, and where the gaps lie. The study is still ongoing, and today I would like to share some of what we are hearing so far. 

8. These are preliminary findings. First is, they are already telling us something important. The desire to learn Islam remains strong and we can see it in the participation by the members of the public who are here today, asing questions form the various members of the IEWG who have their booths operating here. Some felt that programmes were too formal, too rigid, or too demanding given everything else they were juggling. Others did not know what was available beyond what they had grown up with. And some carried quiet worries, about being judged for what they did not know, or about not fitting in.  

9. These are not small barriers. They are the reasons why many in our community, despite wanting to learn, have not yet found their way in. We will share the full findings in due course. But even at this stage, the direction is clear. This is the gap we must close together. And it is a gap that no single provider, programme, or platform can close alone. It calls on all of us - our mosques, our Islamic Education Centres Providers (IECPs), our community partners, to ask honestly: are we making it easy enough for people to take that first step? Are our programmes flexible enough, welcoming enough, and relevant enough? Are we reaching people where they are and speaking to the realities of their lives?  

Strengthening Islamic Education Through Partnership 

10. Islamic education in Singapore has always been a shared endeavour. By working together across our mosques, madrasahs, IECPs, and community partners, and by embracing technology responsibly, we are better placed to ensure that no one is left behind; and that every Muslim, at every stage of life, has a pathway to Islamic learning that works for them. 

11. A key part of this effort is the Islamic Education Workgroup, or IEWG, which brings together representatives from IECPs to strengthen Islamic education through shared expertise and best practices. Today, I am pleased to formally welcome the newly reappointed members of the IEWG I mentioned earlier, which brings together representatives from the various IECPs to strengthen Islamic Education, to share expertise and best practices. Today, I am very pleased because I am going to formally welcome the newly reappointed members of our IEWG after this speech. We look forward to the expertise and perspectives you bring, and to what we can achieve together in service of our community. 

12. Some of our IECP partners, including Perdaus, the Muslim Converts’ Association of Singapore, or MCAS, and Badan Agama dan Pelajaran Radin Mas, or BAPA, are here today; each showcasing their unique approach to Islamic learning. I am also heartened that some partners have gone the extra mile, developing provisions for learners with different needs — including Braille-based programmes and other adapted resources. Islamic education must be truly within reach for all. We are grateful for their dedication of our workgroup, and our IECPS, and their willingness to work alongside MUIS in this journey. 

13. Beyond today, the opportunities to learn do not end when this festival does. I invite you to explore QuranSG, MUIS's core Community Religious Life initiative that brings our community together through Quranic learning and reflection. One of our newest offerings is the Tadabbur E-Book, a practical guide designed to help you reflect more deeply on the Quran in your everyday life. Do visit the One Mosque Sector booths to download the E-Book and learn more about our upcoming Tadabbur Talkshow Series and the biennial QuranSG Seminar.  

Closing  

14. The Prophet s.a.w. said: "The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it." This spirit of learning and sharing what we know is at the heart of everything we do here today, and it is a spirit I hope each of you will carry forward. Let us take this opportunity to explore the many options available, through aLIVE for your children, ADIL for yourself, and the courses offered by our IECPs. Visit the booths, speak with our Asatizah, and find the path that best resonates with you and your family. 

15. The journey of seeking knowledge is a lifelong one. It shapes not only the individual, but ripples outward to families, and ultimately to our community. So let us leave today with renewed intention, not just to plant seeds, but to tend them with patience and care. With sincerity of purpose and the support of one another, I have every hope that Islamic education will continue to stand as a key pillar of our community – one that holds firm across generations, and continues to ground us in faith, in purpose and in one another. 

16. I hope that LearnIslam Fest 2026 will be a beneficial and inspiring experience for all of you, across all ages. Thank you, and may Allah bless all our efforts. Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.