Islamic religious teachers do not comprise only those who teach at the mosques and madrasahs, but also those who teach privately at institutions or even at home.

The subjects being taught are wide-ranging, from the recital of the Quran to daily prayers and pre-marriage courses.

My father is an example of this small group of Islamic asatizah. From the early 1980s to the late 1990s, he taught more than 100 students privately at local institutions and at home.

However, the world has changed and we have to move with the times. Religious teachers now need to complement their teaching with current affairs and modern technology.

I support the ruling to make it mandatory for all Islamic religious teachers to register under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme ("Islamic teachers must be registered from Jan 1"; Aug 22).

I also agree with Mr Pavithran Vidyadharan's suggestion on making registration mandatory for all religious teachers here, not just Islamic teachers ("Register all religious teachers"; Monday).

Religious teachers play a very important role in ensuring that their followers abide by the right teachings and moral values encompassed in their respective faiths.

Singapore, being a multi-religious and multiracial country, should ensure that our religious teachers do not take advantage of their position in society to pursue their own agenda, which could create unrest and disharmony in our peaceful country.

Muhammad Dzul Azhan Haji Sahban