Singapore is modernizing the training of its Muslim religious leaders to meet the realities of the 21st century

This is a first in Singapore. In 2028, the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) will open its doors with the ambition of training religious teachers in tune with the multicultural city-state.

The announcement, made by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, marks a turning point. No more being all-religious: the four-year course will combine Islamic studies and social sciences. A bold bet to respond to an observation: too many young Singaporeans go to study in the Middle East, returning with a sometimes shifted vision of local realities.

“It is not just a question of training imams, but professionals capable of intervening in social matters or counseling,” confides Mohammed Hasyir, expert in Islamic studies. However, the opportunities are worrying: these future graduates will have to compete with social workers from traditional universities.

This initiative reveals the Singaporean strategy of “religious management”. By creating its own institution, the city-state seeks to keep control over the training of its religious executives. A crucial issue in a country where interreligious coexistence is a national priority.

Singapore’s pragmatic approach could become a model. By combining religious studies and professional skills, SCIS offers an innovative model that responds to the contemporary challenges of Islam in a minority context.

A major challenge remains: reconciling tradition and modernity. The success of SCIS will depend on its ability to offer authentic religious education while preparing its students for the realities of the job market. Even more crucial: the reform of traditional madrasahs, where rote learning still dominates. The SCIS thus appears to be a first step towards a deeper modernization of Islamic education in Singapore.