New Islamic college in Singapore aims to prepare future religious leaders

SINGAPORE (MNTV) – Singapore is taking a decisive step to ensure its Islamic scholars remain relevant, grounded, and socially engaged in a complex, multicultural environment.

Its Islamic education system is being reshaped to better prepare future asatizah to engage with contemporary social, ethical, and technological issues, reports Batam News Asia. 

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said last week that religious teachers must go beyond traditional knowledge to confidently practise Islam while contributing positively to society. This approach aims to strengthen the Malay-Muslim community’s role within Singapore’s multicultural framework.

To support this vision, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is establishing the Singapore College of Islamic Studies. The upcoming institution is designed to develop religious leaders capable of serving local communities while navigating modern realities. 

Speaking at the college’s inaugural symposium, Associate Professor Faishal highlighted that the institution will focus on contextualized Islamic leadership suited for Singapore’s diverse social landscape.

The college’s board of governors will be chaired by former Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Abdullah Tarmugi, who served from 1993 to 2002. The steering committee will be led by the Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir. Both bodies include senior asatizah, curriculum developers, and industry experts to ensure academic rigor and community relevance.

In December 2025, the college signed an agreement with the Singapore University of Social Sciences to offer an interdisciplinary degree program. The curriculum will integrate Islamic studies with social sciences and humanities, allowing graduates to address socio-religious challenges while expanding career pathways into fields such as social work and community development.

Dr Nazirudin emphasized that modern religious leadership requires a broad mindset to respond to issues such as climate change, biomedical advancements, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. 

He said a strong grounding in Islamic sciences, combined with exposure to diverse perspectives, will help graduates offer solutions that benefit both the Muslim community and society at large.

Singapore Management University President Lily Kong noted that the college’s research program on Muslim communities in secular and advanced economies reflects a strong commitment to societal relevance. 

She stressed that publicly supported institutions have a responsibility to ensure their research contributes meaningfully to real-world communities and policy discussions.

MUIS deputy chief executive Khairul Anwar said alignment with Singapore’s madrasah system will be explored once the college finalizes its curriculum and entry requirements. 

SUSS President Tan Tai Yong added that young Singaporeans should not be underestimated, noting that with strong guidance and teaching, students can adapt to ambitious interdisciplinary learning models.