Singapore’s Muslim religious teachers chart progressive path as world grows more polarised, says PM Wong
SINGAPORE – Amid a global surge in conflict and social division, Singapore’s asatizah — Muslim religious teachers — are maintaining a steady course of progressive leadership, the country’s prime minister Lawrence Wong said today.
Speaking at the launch of the Asatizah Professionals and Volunteers Network (APVN) at Singapore Expo, Wong framed religious guidance as more than ritual.
The Straits Times reported the Singapore prime minister as saying that it is a stabilising force in an era of online misinformation and extremist messaging.
The network, organised by the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas), brings together both professional and volunteer asatizah to share knowledge, build confidence, and extend their influence beyond mosques and classrooms.
“With the APVN, you will have more opportunities to serve our fellow Singaporeans from all walks of life and from different faiths — in areas ranging from palliative care to engaging youth at risk,” Wong said.
“I hope you embrace these partnerships, because these partnerships show that we can make a positive impact by working together, and shape the future we want for Singapore.”
Wong praised the community’s capacity to reconcile faith with modern life.
Singapore was among the first countries to issue religious guidance allowing the consumption of lab-grown meat, he noted, a decision that bolsters food security while illustrating that science and religion need not be at odds.
Pergas, he added, remains central to nurturing Singapore’s Muslim community through scholarships, grants, and now the APVN platform, which aims to equip asatizah to serve across societal domains.
The Singapore government is also supporting the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies, set to open in 2028 alongside the new Singapore University of Social Sciences campus in Rochor.
Wong invoked the 14th-century Arab scholar Ibn Khaldun to stress the importance of social cohesion.
“We must always make the effort to look beyond our own communities and strengthen that spirit of cohesion that will enable Singapore to continue thriving for a long, long time,” he said.
He concluded by thanking Pergas and the asatizah fraternity for fostering harmony and trust across Singapore’s diverse society.
“You have uplifted our Singapore Muslim community, enabled it to practise its faith confidently and built trust across groups in our diverse society.
“In doing so, you have fostered harmony and contributed greatly to Singapore’s development,” he said.
[Source: Malay Mail]
