SINGAPORE – Religious leadership plays a vital role amid the rise of conflict and polarisation in societies around the world, and asatizahs – or Muslim religious teachers – in Singapore continue to demonstrate progressive leadership, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. 

He was speaking at the launch of the Asatizah Professionals and Volunteers Network (APVN) held at Max Atria at Singapore Expo on Oct 4. The network comes under the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association, or Pergas. 

The initiative is a platform that brings together asatizahs, both professionals and volunteers, to learn from one another, build confidence and expand contributions to the community. 

The APVN aims to ensure asatizahs remain relevant, and are empowered to serve not just in traditional religious spaces, but also meaningfully across wider domains. 

PM Wong said that the world is becoming more complex, with the spread of misinformation and extremist views online, which leave young Singaporeans vulnerable to radicalisation. 

With societal changes and technological advancements, new questions are also being raised about how religious teachings should be applied in modern society. 

“We are heartened that our asatizahs in Singapore continue to demonstrate progressive and effective thought leadership – keeping up with contemporary developments, speaking to the realities of the day, and providing sound and practical guidance for the community,” said PM Wong. 

For example, Singapore was one of the first few countries to

issue clear religious guidance permitting the consumption of lab-cultivated meat

This not only supports Singapore’s food security, but also shows how faith and modern science can go hand in hand,...