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SINGAPORE – People or organisations providing Islamic instruction to 10 or more individuals on a regular basis in Singapore must be registered with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) as a Muslim Religious School (MRS), said MUIS in a statement on Oct 3.
This applies whether the instruction is conducted physically or online.
MUIS officers will also be authorised to inspect registered MRS, including attending Islamic instruction conducted physically or online.
Around 50 individuals and organisations are expected to register as MRS under the updated requirements.
Existing registered MRS are not required to re-register, and may continue operating under their current registration.
Providers that meet the MRS definition but are not registered are given a grace period from Oct 2 to March 31, 2027, to submit their applications. They may continue operating during the transition period.
MUIS added that the updated requirements do not apply to the provision of Islamic instruction exclusively to family members, or the personal sharing of religious views with family and friends. They also do not apply to religious services that do not involve teaching.
The new provisions took effect on Oct 2, as MUIS strengthens safeguards for Islamic religious education in Singapore – including online learning – and provides the Muslim community with greater assurance that Islamic instruction is delivered by qualified and recognised asatizah, or Muslim religious teachers, through registered providers.
This comes after a recent case of a self-styled “religious influencer” who was sentenced for sexually abusing two young boys between 2022 and 2024 in various locations, including in a mosque.
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