New committee to strengthen safeguards in Islamic religious institutions after child sexual abuse case in mosque

Singapore will establish a committee to review and enhance safeguards within Islamic religious institutions following a recent child sexual abuse case that occurred in a mosque. The committee, led by respected community members Associate Professor Razwana Begum and Ustaz Fathurrahman Dawoed, will be tasked with proposing measures to bolster safety and security.

The offender in the case, who was not an accredited religious teacher, engaged in informal, unsanctioned interactions with young congregants at the mosque, exploiting their trust to commit sexual abuse. The government is also considering expanding criminal screening to more roles involving contact with children, including voluntary checks for unregulated sectors.

Currently, regulated roles such as mosque staff, recognized religious teachers, and preschool employees undergo background checks, while unregulated employers are not required to verify criminal records. The offender had posted religious content online, positioning himself as a trusted guide to young people seeking religious knowledge, which ultimately facilitated his abuse of the victims.

The committee will report directly to Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad and share its findings with the community. It will focus on establishing a consistent safeguarding approach across all mosques, including clear reporting protocols, monitoring of informal gatherings involving minors, safeguarding awareness training, and periodic safety checks.