The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) published a Facebook post on Thursday (May 27) evening to address the offensive online poll that is "demeaning and insulting the modesty of some female religious teachers".

Poll caused "immense distress" to victims

MUIS said that the poll has caused "immense distress" to the victims.

MUIS added that it has reached out to the victims of the post and will be providing support and counselling to them.

Many concerned members of the Muslim community have written in to MUIS about the poll, according to the religious authority and statutory board.

Police report lodged, investigations ongoing

MUIS stated that it has lodged a police report for the authorities to "expedite investigations into the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice".

Responding to queries from Mothership, the police confirmed that a report was lodged.

Investigations are ongoing.

MUIS also wrote in its Facebook post that it will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.

"These behaviours are an abomination in our religion, a ‘munkar’ (denounced act) that must be stopped and a disgrace to the Muslim community. Our faith calls for mutual respect at all times, and emphasises with utmost importance, the need to safeguard the honour and modesty of all members of society."

You can read MUIS' full statement here:

Masagos says he is "repulsed" by the poll

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli also published a Facebook post on May 27, saying that he is "repulsed" by the poll.

Masagos added that he has urged authorities to investigate this matter "expediently".

"The irresponsible people or parties behind this abhorrent poll must be held accountable with the full force of the law," he said.

Masagos also said that he is aware that some allegations have pointed to undergraduates reading Islamic studies as the culprit behind the poll.

He has tasked MUIS to investigate these allegations. He added that if the allegations are true, the perpetrators must be dealt with "to the full extent of the law for demonstrating such deplorable behaviour".

"All of us have a part to play in calling out and purging such misogynistic attitudes from our society. I am heartened that many have already spoken out against this appalling incident. But we must deal with it as a civil society by the rule of law. We must continue to be a society that honours our women, instead of denigrating them."

Here's his full statement:

Both MUIS' and Masagos' statements come after President Halimah Yacob condemned the actions of the culprit behind the poll.

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Top images from Zahid Zin/IG & Mothership contributor.