S'pore committee reviewing safeguards for children in Islamic religious settings to submit recommendations by end-2026

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad previously announced in Parliament that a new committee will be formed to review safeguards in religious settings and propose ways to strengthen them.

The move came following the case of a religious influencer who sexually abused two young boys at mosque premises. He was sentenced to 27 years and 10 months' jail, and 24 strokes of the cane.

On Sep. 30, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) shared the composition and scope of the Committee to Strengthen Safeguards in Religious Settings.

The committee will focus on safeguarding children and young persons under 18 in key religious settings, such as mosques, madrasahs, and Islamic Education Centres and Providers (IECPs).

Safeguarding framework in religious settings

Among the areas the committee will review are the screening and oversight of individuals who work or volunteer with children and young persons.

It will also examine the professional boundaries governing their interactions and activities with minors, as well as organisational practices aimed at creating safe and child-centred environments.

The committee will look at protocols for reporting and escalating incidents, information-sharing within and across institutions, and how an institution responds to an incident on the ground.

The committee will also examine whether there are accessible ways for children, young persons, and adults to raise concerns, including whistleblowing arrangements and protections for those who make reports.

Training for leaders, staff, and volunteers to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns will also come under the review.

Online religious influence also under review

The committee's scope extends beyond religious institutions too.

It will review safeguards surrounding religious instruction in formal and informal settings, as well as the frameworks governing religious teachers.

The committee will also look at the education and empowerment of children, young persons, and parents on appropriate boundaries, how to raise concerns, and where to seek help.

Emerging risks involving online religious influence, digital communications, and interactions involving children and young persons will also be reviewed.

Preventive approach

MCCY and MUIS said that the review will take a preventive and community-focused approach, looking at the systems, culture and practices that prevent harm, surface concerns early, and

promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young persons.

In reviewing the different areas, the committee will seek the perspectives of children and young persons, parents, asatizah, and religious institutions.

It will also draw on practices from Singapore's broader child safeguarding and protection system.

Members of the public can also submit their views and suggestions through an online feedback form.

Recommendations expected by end-2026

The committee is co-chaired by Razwana Begum, Associate Professor and Head of the Global Security and Strategy Programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Fathurrahman Dawoed, Executive Director of the Education Division at Andalus Corporation.

Its members have backgrounds spanning child protection and wellbeing, law enforcement, governance and risk, Islamic education and religious guidance, as well as online and digital spaces.

The committee is expected to submit its recommendations to Zaqy around the end of 2026.

Its findings and recommendations will subsequently be shared with the community.