By Zakir Hussain

SPENDING money on religious education will benefit the whole Muslim community, not just a few students in madrasahs, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said on Friday.

Dr Yaacob made the point to explain why, for the first time, money from the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) is being earmarked to help improve the curriculum and teacher training at full-time Islamic religious schools here.

Speaking to some 400 community leaders at a Hari Raya dinner at the Istana, he highlighted the need to ensure the community's institutions stay relevant.

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