MUIS to roll out common safeguarding framework across mosques to protect children and youth
This follows a child sexual abuse case that occurred partly within a mosque.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is set to implement a unified safeguarding framework across mosques, aiming to protect children and youth in the community. This comes following a recent child sexual abuse case that involved interactions at a mosque. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad announced the measures at a community event on Aug 29.
The framework will outline safeguarding principles, responsibilities of mosque personnel, and clear reporting and escalation procedures for concerns.
To strengthen safeguarding education, MUIS plans to equip children, youths, parents, and educators with practical knowledge and confidence to recognize concerns, respond appropriately, and seek help. The initiatives aim to build on existing measures in mosques, train mosque staff and volunteers to recognize signs of abuse or neglect, maintain professional boundaries, and understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
Clear reporting and escalation protocols will be established, and monitoring of informal gatherings will be enhanced through a risk-recognition approach.
MUIS' district offices will conduct periodic safeguarding audits, reviewing physical safety measures and reinforcing practices across mosque premises. The acting minister emphasized the collective responsibility of parents, families, religious teachers, and young children in keeping mosques safe. Children's activities at mosques are already supervised, and there is existing safeguarding training for educators and staff.
MUIS has introduced protective behavior content for students of its aLIVE programme, which teaches Islamic values to children and youth aged five to 20. Age-appropriate infographics and parents' engagement will reinforce these messages. The council also plans to enhance safeguarding practices after a 37-year-old self-styled "religious influencer" was sentenced to 27 years and 10 months' jail for sexually abusing young boys at a mosque.
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