'Every child deserves to feel safe': Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs on increasing safeguards in mosques & religious schools to protect minors

Every child deserves to feel secure, according to Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad. Following a recent sexual offence at a mosque, Zaqy condemned the heinous act and expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families. He assured them that steps are being taken to enhance security in mosques and religious schools.

Victim Care Officers have been assigned to support the victims and their families, and MUIS has been notified about the case since July 2025. MUIS has issued an advisory to mosques to strengthen safeguards for minors, including installing CCTV cameras and training staff to identify suspicious behavior.

Zaqy emphasized the trust that was betrayed by the perpetrator, who used his position as a religious guide to harm young people seeking religious knowledge online. He stressed the need to learn from this incident and take action. He acknowledged that mosques already have measures in place for external religious classes and that MUIS will take appropriate action when concerns or allegations arise. Zaqy urged the community to work together, alongside mosques, parents, and children, to strengthen safeguards for every child.

To address this issue, Zaqy has established a committee to examine safeguards across religious institutions, focusing on two areas: strengthening safeguards for minors in mosques and religious schools, and ensuring safe access to religious guidance for children and youths, covering both formal and informal instruction, and emerging risks such as online influence.

The committee will also look into where previous safeguards may have fallen short and propose measures to improve them. Zaqy emphasized that every child deserves to feel safe, and their well-being must always be the top priority.