Public Consultation on Amendments to Administration of Muslim Law Act

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

Consultation Period: 25 May 2026 - 22 Jun 2026

Status: Closed - Summary of Responses

Consultation Outcome

RESPONSE TO FEEDBACK RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL 

1.    The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) sought public feedback from 25 May to 22 June 2026 on the proposed amendments to the Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966. Respondents generally supported the proposed regulations to be legislated under the Amendment Bill. A summary of the feedback and our responses can be found in Annex A. 

2.    MCCY thanks all parties who contributed their views on the proposed amendments and will take into consideration the feedback and suggestions received as the Bill is finalised.  

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

6 October 2026

Annex A 

MCCY is proposing to amend the AMLA in three areas: 

1. Provide for the administration and oversight of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (“SCIS”) as part of MUIS’ statutory functions;
    

2. Enhance SYC’s judicial processes to strengthen considerations for child welfare and reduce the burden on Muslim couples undergoing divorce; and
    

3. Align ROMM processes with provisions in the Women’s Charter.

A.   Provide for the administration and oversight of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies

Oversight of SCIS as part of MUIS' statutory functions and the role of the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs 

1. Respondents agreed that SCIS plays an important national role in producing well-rounded religious leaders equipped to serve Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society. They were generally supportive of MUIS and the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Minister) exercising appropriate oversight over SCIS to ensure institutional accountability, particularly given the use of community funds. They suggested that such oversight should not undermine academic independence and scholarly rigour.

2. Some respondents sought clarification on the division of authority between SCIS, MUIS, and the Minister. They also sought assurance that qualified Islamic scholars and asatizah would be represented in SCIS’ governance and advisory structures. 

3. MUIS’ role will be to oversee the development of religious graduates through SCIS, to ensure it is aligned to the socio-religious needs of the Muslim community in Singapore. This is aligned to MUIS' statutory functions today. 

4. Minister’s oversight of SCIS will focus on ensuring that SCIS has the appropriate governance structures, and that its strategic direction is aligned to national objectives. This includes approving the appointment of key SCIS leaders, such as its Board of Governors, and having oversight of SCIS' accountability and quality assurance frameworks. Minister, or an authorised person such as MUIS, will also oversee SCIS’ financial records to ensure that funds are properly used to fulfil the community’s religious needs and SCIS’ objectives, in line with its constitution as approved by the Minister. 

5. SCIS’ academic and operational matters, including day-to-day administration will come under the purview of the SCIS Board, executive leadership and advisory bodies comprising qualified Islamic scholars, academics and industry leaders. Details of these governance arrangements are determined by SCIS under its own constitution and policies, and will not be legislated in the AMLA. 

6. One respondent highlighted that SCIS would require diverse forms of funding support beyond community funding to ensure its long-term sustainability to serve its broader national and educational objectives. SCIS students will have opportunity to develop skills in the social sciences, such as counselling and social work, to contribute beyond the religious sector. The Government provides funding support for such non-religious components of the programme, including social sciences modules and general facilities, while the community primarily funds the religious education components. The proposed amendments will also allow SCIS to source for other types of funding support, including fundraising, to ensure its long-term financial sustainability.   

Legislative recognition of SCIS to confer and award degrees 

7. Respondents expressed support for the legislative recognition of SCIS to confer and award degrees, viewing it as an important step in strengthening the credibility and standing of Islamic higher education in Singapore. 

8. Beyond the legislative amendment, some respondents suggested that SCIS strengthen its degree recognition through collaboration with local and international institutions of higher learning, and ensure that its educational framework includes a clear articulation of employment pathways for graduates. This will position SCIS well to complement the broader Islamic education ecosystem and support our asatizah to contribute in a variety of sectors. MCCY and MUIS value these suggestions. SCIS is partnering the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) on the Social Sciences track for its undergraduate programme and is collaborating with international Islamic institutions for the Islamic Studies track, including curriculum development, teaching and student immersion opportunities. We will continue to explore further opportunities for the SCIS to forge more partnerships with potential employers, community organisations and industry partners, to expand the career pathways for SCIS’ graduates. 

B.   Enhance SYC’s judicial processes to strengthen considerations for child welfare and reduce the burden on Muslim couples undergoing divorce 

Formalise SYC’s powers to make orders to allow the relocation of a child outside Singapore or prevent a child from being taken out of Singapore 

9. There was strong and broad support for this amendment, with respondents noting that it is timely and would help to streamline the judicial process for Muslim couples undergoing divorce with children. 

10. One respondent sought clarification on whether the amendment would grant SYC injunctive or enforcement powers, and if it would include SYC under the International Child Abduction Act 2010 (ICAA). The proposed amendment will introduce a specific power for SYC to make an order preventing a party from taking a child out of jurisdiction during or after divorce proceedings. It is not intended to confer either general injunctive powers or enforcement powers. Similar to other ancillary orders arising from divorce, enforcement of orders made by SYC under this new power will remain under the purview of the civil courts, as a wide-ranging and robust enforcement mechanism already exists. The amendments are also not intended to include SYC as another court under the ICAA. 

11. Respondents also asked whether powers granted by the proposed amendments would apply only during active divorce proceedings, or also in pre- or post-divorce situations. SYC’s powers are currently applicable only to divorce proceedings and applications to vary court orders from those proceedings. This will remain unchanged under the proposed amendments. 

12. A respondent highlighted the need for SYC to have the requisite procedural framework and judicial resources to hear urgent relocation-related applications, similar to the services available through the Family Justice Courts. SYC will adapt these processes to provide a comparable level of service for Muslim families, to ensure such applications can be heard on an urgent and timely basis. 

Clarifying that the paramount consideration of SYC when dealing with matters relating to children is the welfare of the child 

13. There was unanimous support for legislating the welfare of the child as the paramount consideration in SYC's dealings with matters relating to children. Respondents noted that this principle is already applied in practice and is consistent with Islamic teachings, and the amendment would provide an important statutory anchor for SYC's decision-making. 

14. Some respondents highlighted the risk of manipulation of legal assessments in high-conflict cases and emphasised the importance of careful application of the principle of child welfare. They also proposed that SYC provide further guidance on how child welfare will be assessed and suggested strengthening support programmes and service pathways for families and children. SYC acknowledges these concerns, particularly in the context of high-conflict or abuse cases, and will ensure that the principles of child welfare continue to be applied with care and with appreciation of their broader context. In this regard, SYC also continually seeks to improve child centricity and therapeutic justice in Muslim divorce processes. For example, through SYC’s Therapeutic Specialist Services (TSS), an enhanced triage system has been designed to identify and address child safety issues in a timely manner. The TSS has also introduced various initiatives to allow the Court to gather children’s perspectives. 

Simplify some procedural requirements for divorce proceedings, i.e. to remove the need for hakam for cases of talak tafwidh, and to allow SYC the discretion to waive requirements for applications on the ground of fasakh 

15. Respondents broadly supported the proposed amendment, recognising that it reduces unnecessary procedural delays and financial burdens, particularly for lower income couples, without compromising the integrity of divorce proceedings. 

16. One respondent sought clarity on whether the amendment was justifiable, as the number of cases of talak tafwidh requiring the appointment of hakam (marital conciliators) is low, while another emphasised that the amendment should not compromise fairness, religious integrity, or SYC’s ability to assess the validity of the grounds for divorce. MCCY and SYC affirm the importance of ensuring the integrity of divorce proceedings. The amendment is intended to align Muslim divorce processes with the underlying principles of the grounds of divorce in Muslim law. In this case, while the role of hakam is to resolve marital disputes, there is generally no dispute in cases of talak tafwidh^[1]. The amendment will therefore remove unnecessary hardship for Muslim couples undergoing talak tafwidh while ensuring that only cases that require and meet the intent of hakam are required to attend hakam. 

17. Other respondents suggested widening the amendment to include, for instance, giving SYC discretion over witness requirements for forms of divorce beyond fasakh^[2], or removing the requirement for hakam for khuluk^[3] cases where parties have reached agreement. Currently, AMLA mandates witnesses only for fasakh cases, while giving SYC the power to direct witnesses to be brought where necessary for all other forms of divorce. The amendment will thus enable SYC to exercise the same discretion to waive witness requirements for fasakh cases as it already holds for other forms of divorce. For khuluk cases, there is currently no requirement under the AMLA for hakam to be appointed, and SYC may proceed to register the divorce if the parties are in agreement. 

18. Some respondents called for flexible referral pathways to protection and counselling, especially where there is alleged family violence or coercive control. MCCY and SYC note these suggestions and will continue to review the marriage counselling requirements to see how they can better protect vulnerable parties during the process. 

Empower SYC to make orders on the division of matrimonial property, as well as child related orders, upon a foreign Muslim divorce 

19. Respondents supported the proposed amendment. There was broad agreement that the current framework places unnecessary burden on the parties, resulting in increased costs, delays, and pressure on vulnerable parties to accept unfavourable outcomes. Consolidating these matters within a single forum reduces the burden on families and avoids the inefficiency of parallel proceedings across different courts. 

20. One respondent sought clarification on how SYC determines the validity of foreign marriages in divorce applications, and the evidence required for such validation. SYC references established practice for divorce applications involving foreign marriages in determining the validity of foreign marriages. This includes reviewing documentary evidence provided by the parties, such as expert evidence of foreign law via affidavits on whether that marriage would be considered a valid Muslim marriage and whether the divorce is recognised as a valid divorce in that jurisdiction. 

21. Other respondents sought assurance that SYC would work with the Family Justice Courts (FJC) to ensure alignment with the Women’s Charter and FJC processes, and clearly communicate these new processes to clients. Some specifically asked if SYC would be sufficiently resourced for urgent child-sensitive timelines, and whether plain-language guidance would be available on how child-related applications may be brought before the SYC. SYC acknowledges that child-related orders are particularly sensitive and should be managed with care. SYC will ensure that the relevant legal procedures are implemented fairly and communicated clearly to the parties, and will continue to uphold consistency between the civil and Muslim justice systems. 

C.   Align ROMM processes with provisions in the Women’s Charter 

Prescribe a minimum period of stay for Muslim marriages involving a party who is neither a Singaporean Citizen nor Permanent Resident 

22. Respondents largely agreed with the proposed amendment to align ROMM’s marriage processes with the Women’s Charter and viewed the proposed minimum period of stay as a reasonable and principled requirement. 

23. Respondents said that the amendment should be sensitive to the realities of transnational marriages, so as not to inadvertently disadvantage more vulnerable groups, such as lower-income couples or those with limited immigration-related knowledge. One respondent also sought clarification on whether temporary absences for work, study, medical reasons, or family emergencies, would be considered legitimate reasons. ROMM recognises that transnational marriage applicants come from diverse backgrounds and may face varying challenges. The AMLA will therefore be amended to provide ROMM with the discretion to waive the requirement if it is satisfied that there are good reasons to do so. For such cases, ROMM will review such applications on a case-by-case basis and conduct further inquiry as necessary. 

 D.   Other feedback 

24. MCCY notes that across the proposed amendments, respondents had requested for clear guidance on the implementation processes for the amendments related to Muslim marriages and divorces. This includes setting clear procedural frameworks, stronger interagency coordination, assurance of sufficient judicial resources, and clear guidance for clients. SYC and ROMM will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that the necessary procedural frameworks, rules and resources are in place to support implementation, and that these are communicated clearly to the community. SYC will also look into suggestions to further streamline its divorce processes (such as between SYC and FJC) and continue to seek ways to ease the burden on couples undergoing divorce. 

25. Beyond the scope of the proposed amendments, the public also provided constructive feedback on further legislative and non-legislative refinements relating to Muslim marriage and divorce proceedings, as well as inheritance laws. MCCY thanks respondents for their feedback and will work with the relevant agencies to study these suggestions carefully.
    

^[1] Talak tafwidh is the dissolution of Muslim marriages in which the husband delegates pronouncement of divorce to the wife. The amendment will allow for the requirement to appoint marriage conciliators to be waived in cases where there is mutual agreement for divorce and the Court deems a marriage conciliator unnecessary.

^[2] Fasakh is the annulment of Muslim marriages due to harm or breach of marital obligations.

^[3] Khuluk is a form of divorce where a married woman initiates the process by seeking redemption from her husband. This process requires mutual consent between the husband and wife.

Detailed Description

AIM 

The Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (“MCCY”) invites the public to give feedback on amendments to the Administration of Muslim Law Act (“AMLA”). The consultation period for the new amendments will be from 25 May to 22 June 2026. 

BACKGROUND 

2. The AMLA provides for the establishment of Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (“MUIS”), the Syariah Court (“SYC”) and the Registry of Muslim Marriages (“ROMM”). It was last amended in February 2024 to empower MUIS to create and administer the Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura, and better exercise its functions to support the Muslim community, such as oversight of religious schools and halal certification. Administrative amendments were also made to streamline and digitalise ROMM and SYC processes. 

SCOPE OF THE CONSULTATION 

3. In this round of amendments, MCCY intends to amend AMLA in three areas: 

   1. Provide for the administration and oversight of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (“SCIS”) as part of MUIS’ statutory functions; 

   2. Enhance SYC’s judicial processes to strengthen considerations for child welfare and reduce the burden on Muslim couples undergoing divorce; and 

   3. Align ROMM processes with provisions in the Women’s Charter. 

PROPOSED AMLA AMENDMENTS 

A. Provide for the administration and oversight of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies 

4. The SCIS is Singapore’s first Islamic college dedicated to the development of asatizah, or religious teachers, and will open in 2028. SCIS will play an important role in developing future asatizah with the capabilities to provide contextualised religious guidance for our Muslim population living in a multi-racial, multi-religious Singapore. It will also groom religious leaders who are equipped with competencies to contribute beyond the religious sector, such as in social work and counselling. To achieve this, SCIS will adopt a unique interdisciplinary approach, grounded on Islamic principles and traditions, to enable Muslims to respond, thrive and contribute actively to our diverse society and the modern world. 

5. SCIS was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2025. Similar to the autonomous universities (“AUs”) in Singapore, SCIS will have the autonomy to administer its own constitution, as well as develop its own policies and rules under its own internal governance structures. Areas such as the Islamic Studies programme and overall academic direction of SCIS will be overseen by the executive committee of SCIS. At the same time, given SCIS’ significance to the Muslim community and the role of MUIS in supporting the college, we will amend the AMLA to strengthen the institutional governance and standing of SCIS.  

6. The amendments to AMLA will therefore introduce SCIS-related provisions to:

   1. Include the oversight of SCIS as part of MUIS’ statutory functions[1]. As part of MUIS’ oversight of the SCIS, MUIS will provide funding for SCIS from existing community sources that it administers, such as the Mosque Building and MENDAKI Fund (MBMF), Zakat, and Wakaf. As the religious authority, MUIS will also oversee the provision of tertiary religious education at SCIS, and facilitate the recognition of SCIS graduates as Islamic teachers under MUIS’ Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS).

   2. Provide legislative recognition of SCIS and its powers to confer and award degrees. SCIS will be empowered to award degrees, diplomas and certificates in respect of tertiary religious education, including the SCIS undergraduate degree in Islamic Studies. This provision takes reference from similar legislation governing the Autonomous Universities (AUs)[2], and will advance SCIS’ standing as a credible, local Islamic college.

   3. Accord the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs oversight of some administrative and financial aspects of SCIS. Today, the AUs in Singapore are each governed by their respective Acts, which grants the Minister of Education oversight of (i) the AU’s accountability and quality assurance framework; (ii) access to its financial records; (iii) powers to appoint its Board of Directors; and (iv) powers to approve key decisions such as amending its university constitution. The AMLA amendments will give the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs similar oversight of SCIS in these areas, to ensure sound management and governance of SCIS in the long term. This is important to establish from the outset, as the college will be supported with community funds. 

7. MUIS will also be provided with powers to uphold the standards of religious teaching of the SCIS. Teachers and lecturers involved in Islamic instruction at the SCIS will be required to be recognised as religious teachers by MUIS under the ARS. They will therefore have to comply with the Code of Ethics and professional continuing education requirements that are in place under the scheme, and will be regulated by MUIS in the same way that MUIS regulates teachers at Muslim religious schools today.   

8. For consistency with legislative provisions typically applicable to student organisations under AUs, the AMLA amendments will also provide that student bodies constituted in SCIS will be governed by the Societies Act 1966, unless exempted by the Minister for Home Affairs.

B. Enhance SYC’s judicial processes to strengthen considerations for child welfare and reduce the burden on Muslim couples undergoing divorce 

9. The SYC plays an essential role in adjudicating marital or family disputes amongst Muslim families. It ensures that the outcomes of these cases are in the best interests of the children and therapeutically just for all parties involved. We regularly review SYC’s judicial and administrative processes under AMLA, to ensure that they effectively meet the needs of the Muslim community in Singapore, and that Muslim families in Singapore have access to the same legal protections as non-Muslim families, insofar as they are permissible under Muslim law. Our objective is to preserve marriages where possible; where this is not possible, we aim to reduce distress and bring greater clarity to families navigating disputes and divorce-related matters, particularly for the children involved. 

10. The following amendments have therefore been proposed to give SYC clearer powers to put children’s welfare first, as well as reduce any unnecessary procedural steps where religious and legal requirements can still be properly met, to avoid further strain on families. 

Strengthening considerations for child welfare 

11. AMLA will be amended to enhance SYC’s judicial processes to strengthen considerations for child welfare and bring it in line with the Women’s Charter. 

12. First, we will formalise SYC’s powers to make orders to allow the relocation of a child outside Singapore or prevent a child from being taken out of Singapore. This applies to cases where the divorcing parties are unable to agree, and where SYC determines that such orders would be in the child’s best interests. SYC has observed an increasing demand for such orders, driven by the rising numbers of transnational marriages and the trend of overseas work relocations. This amendment would help ensure that these Muslim families will benefit from similar legal protections under Muslim law, in line with the relevant sections of the Women’s Charter. 

13. Second, we will include a provision clarifying that the paramount consideration of SYC is the welfare of the child when dealing with matters relating to children. This amendment is aligned with principles already established in Muslim law.   

Reducing the administrative burden on Muslim couples undergoing divorce 

14. We will also make several amendments to enhance SYC’s processes by reducing the administrative burden on Muslim couples undergoing divorce, while upholding the integrity and rigour of the divorce process under Muslim law. SYC must continue to be satisfied that the grounds of divorce have been proven and are valid in accordance with Muslim law. All parties will also be required to undergo SYC’s Marriage Counselling Programme before filing the application for divorce, to ensure that they are first guaranteed an opportunity to resolve their marital issues and sustain the marriage. 

15. Building on this foundation, we will simplify some procedural requirements for divorce proceedings to remove unnecessary hardship on a party, including the costs of additional court sessions, where SYC has determined that the intent of such requirements can be met through other means. In particular, SYC need not appoint hakam (marital conciliators) in cases where both parties agree to dissolve the marriage by way of talak tafwidh[3]. It will also have the discretion to waive the requirement for sworn testimony of two witnesses in certain applications of fasakh[4]. 

16. Next, we will reduce the administrative burden for foreign Muslim divorces[5], while putting in place the necessary legislative safeguards in line with the Women’s Charter. Specifically for foreign Muslim divorce cases, parties will need to obtain permission from SYC prior to the application, as well as prove that Singapore is the most appropriate forum to bring the application. 

17. The AMLA will be amended to empower SYC to make orders on the division of matrimonial property, similar to the process for local Muslim divorces today. Currently, couples who have undergone a foreign Muslim divorce must go to two different courts to seek ancillary orders: (i) to SYC for issues on nafkah iddah[6] and mutaah[7]; and (ii) to the High Court for the division of matrimonial assets. This amendment will allow parties to settle their affairs at SYC, rather than having to do so at two different courts. SYC will also be able to hear these cases as long as either party is domiciled in Singapore or habitually resident in Singapore for at least 3 years, in line with the current requirements. 

18. In the same vein, we will empower SYC to make child-related orders upon a foreign Muslim divorce. These include orders on the custody, care and control of and access to children of parties, which currently come under the Family Justice Courts (FJC) through the Guardianship of Infants Act. Today, families with children who have undergone a foreign Muslim divorce have to go to the FJC for child-related orders and to SYC for other ancillary orders. This amendment will allow them to settle their affairs collectively at SYC. Similar to para 17, SYC will also be able to hear these cases as long as either party is domiciled in Singapore or habitually resident in Singapore for at least 3 years, in line with the current requirements. 

C. Align ROMM processes with provisions in the Women’s Charter 

19. Finally, we will amend AMLA and its subsidiary legislation to prescribe a minimum period of stay for Muslim marriages, where at least one party must have been physically present in Singapore for the prescribed period before the date of application. We intend to set the prescribed period at 31 days, similar to that for civil marriages in the subsidiary legislation. 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS

20. In summary, the proposed amendments to the AMLA are as follows:

    1. Include the oversight of SCIS as part of MUIS’ statutory functions;

    2. Provide legislative recognition of SCIS and its powers to award degrees;

    3. Accord the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs oversight of some administrative and financial aspects of the SCIS;

    4. Formalise SYC’s powers to make orders to allow the relocation of a child outside Singapore or prevent a child from being taken out of Singapore;

    5. Clarify that the paramount consideration of SYC is the welfare of the child when dealing with matters relating to children;

    6. Simplify some procedural requirements for divorce proceedings, i.e. to remove the need for hakam for cases of talak tafwidh, and to allow SYC the discretion to waive requirements for applications on the ground of fasakh;

    7. Empower SYC to make orders on the division of matrimonial property upon a foreign Muslim divorce;

    8. Empower SYC to make child-related orders upon a foreign Muslim divorce; and

    9. Prescribe a minimum period of stay for Muslim marriages involving a party who is neither a Singaporean Citizen nor Permanent Resident. 

GUIDELINE FOR SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS 

21. We request that all interested parties submit their comments on the proposals for the new regulations using the feedback form in the link here ↗ (opens in new tab). All submissions should be sent no later than 22 June 2026, 6.00pm. 

22. Respondents are also requested to follow these guidelines

    1. Please indicate your name and the organisation you represent (if any) as well as contact details (email address and/or telephone number) within the template to enable us to follow up with you to clarify any points, if necessary. 

    2. Where respondents feel that the proposed amendments can be improved, it would be helpful to give details on the potential operational/implementation issues anticipated, and share specific suggestions to improve the amendments where possible. 

23. We will review all comments received during the consultation and refine the proposals where appropriate, based on feedback received during this consultation. We will then publish a summary of the main comments received on the REACH website, together with our responses, after this consultation exercise closes. Identities of the respondents will not be disclosed in the summary.

[1] MUIS’ current statutory functions include administering matters related to haj, halal certification, Muslim endowments, collection of zakat, mosques and Muslim religious schools in Singapore.

[2] Reference has been taken from the powers granted to the Minister of Education under the Singapore University of Social Sciences Act 2017.

[3] Talak tafwidh is the dissolution of Muslim marriages in which the husband delegates pronouncement of divorce to the wife. The requirement to appoint marriage conciliators could be waived in cases where there is mutual agreement for divorce and the Court deems a marriage conciliator unnecessary.

[4] Fasakh is the annulment of Muslim marriages due to harm or breach of marital obligations. The requirement of two sworn witnesses could be waived if the grounds of fasakh can be proven through other means and obtaining two witnesses is not practicable.

[5] A foreign Muslim divorce is one in which parties had obtained a divorce from a foreign court of competent jurisdiction to SYC

[6] Nafkah iddah is the financial support given by husband to wife during the period of waiting after divorce.

[7] Mutaah is the conciliatory gift given to the wife by the husband upon a divorce.