Asatizah Must Guide Practice of Islam in Societies: Faishal

Religious teachers should know their faith and unique fabric of society here

- Syarafana Shafeeq

It is important for Muslim religious teachers in Singapore to understand the principles of their faith, as well as the unique multi-racial, multi-religious fabric of their society, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.

These teachers, known as asatizah, must be thought leaders who can effectively guide the practice of Islam in modern societies, uniting sound religious scholarship with contemporary needs, he added.

Associate Professor Faishal said such leadership is increasingly important, as evolving social norms and global interconnectedness have created complex problems that require fresh approaches to religious education.

"Our asatizah play a crucial role in this journey to provide guidance for the Muslim community in navigating these challenges," he said.

Prof Faishal was speaking on June 24 at the first meeting of the advisory panel for the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS), which is expected to take in its first cohort of 60 students in 2028.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the International Conference on Cohesive Societies, a three-day conference on multiculturalism.

Prof Faishal said the 10-member panel's international perspective and scholarly insights will be invaluable in shaping SCIS' research and academic programmes.

Panel members will help identify emerging global trends affecting Muslim communities. They will also shape the college's research focus, educational standards and international collaborations, he added.