Strengthening support to asatizahs through the Asatizah Recognition Scheme

Question

Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what is the number of Islamic religious teachers in Singapore who are registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) since it started; (b) whether MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) or Pergas (Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association) has conducted an engagement with religious teachers who are not registered with ARS to understand the reasons or barriers to their registration; (c) whether the accreditation levels are benchmarked to an internationally recognised body; (d) whether Pergas is the right entity to spearhead the mandatory registration of asatizah given that MUIS will have no control on their membership and leadership; (e) whether the mandatory registration of asatizah require an amendment to the Administration of Muslim Law Act; and (f) what is the development plan for ARS going forward.

Response

Minister Yaacob Ibrahim: Launched in 2005 by MUIS and PERGAS, the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association, the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) currently recognises 1,805 asatizahs, which is about 80% of those providing Islamic education in Singapore. It is an inclusive system that recognises asatizahs from various schools of thought, so long as they meet the standards and training requirements set by the Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB), which comprises senior asatizahs¹.

1. In January 2015, the ARS was enhanced with the introduction of a further requirement for ARS asatizahs to attain ARS renewal every three years by completing 30 hours of training. This training requirement is part of a larger Continuous Professional Education, or CPE, programme for asatizahs. The courses within the CPE programme support the professional development of our asatizahs and help update them on contemporary issues and challenges related to the socio-religious life of our Malay/Muslim community. Through this, our ARS asatizahs are better equipped to serve and retain the confidence of the community.
   

2. MUIS, PERGAS and the ARB have been working hand-in-hand to strengthen the ARS to ensure our asatizahs have the appropriate qualifications and training, anchored in our multi-racial and multi-religious context. So with effect from 1 January 2017, all asatizahs who provide religious guidance and Islamic education will be required to be under the ARS. MUIS and PERGAS will continue to reach out and offer additional training to those who do not yet qualify under the ARS to facilitate their registration. They will have up to one year to qualify.

3. The idea of having a mandatory ARS is not new. In fact, it was proposed by senior asatizahs² more than a decade ago but our focus at the time was on developing a suite of quality ARS programmes to benefit our asatizahs. It is important that our asatizahs have recognised these benefits for themselves and see the value of the ARS. Now, with the asatizahs fraternity's strong support and the calls from community leaders for mandatory ARS, the time is right to strengthen the ARS further.

4. While other countries may have their own recognition systems, the ARB has been mindful to adapt and implement only what is relevant and compatible with our local context. The ARS does not consist only of PERGAS alone – rather, the ARS is a joint effort by MUIS, PERGAS and the ARB. The Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) already provides MUIS with broad powers, but we will provide for additional measures if necessary.

5. MUIS, together with PERGAS and ARB, will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders on the implementation of mandatory ARS, including our religious and community leaders, Malay/Muslim Organisations, and private Islamic education centres, in the coming months. With their support, the ARS will continue to evolve to serve the needs of the community. 

¹The Asatizah Recognition Board is made up of the following senior asatizah: Ustaz Ali Hj Mohamed (Chairman), Ustaz Pasuni Maulan (Vice Chairman), Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan (Member), Ustaz Sallim Jasman (Member), Ustazah Sukarti Asmoin (Member), Ustaz Dr Muhammad Haniff Hassan (Member), Ustaz Mohd Murat Md Aris (Member), Ustaz Mohd Kamal Mokhtar (Member), Ustazah Harinah Abdul Latif (Member), and Ustaz Md Qusyairy Taha (Member). 

²Senior scholars such as the late Ustaz Abu Bakar Hashim and PERGAS raised the idea of having mandatory ARS even before the ARS was introduced in 2005.