In conjunction with World Voice Day 2026, the Laryngology Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), in collaboration with the Office of the Federal Territory Mufti (Jabatan Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan) and the Faculty of Islamic Studies (Fakulti Pengajian Islam, UKM), organized a comprehensive Voice Care Training and Screening Programme for Islamic religious vocal professionals, including imams, bilal, and muazzin.
A total of 111 participants comprising registered religious credential holders (pemegang tauliah agama) from all around Malaysia, participated in the programme, which was held at Dewan Sarjana, Faculty of Islamic Studies, UKM.

Programme Objectives and Theme
The programme was conducted under the theme “Empowering Voices, Upholding Dignity”, emphasizing proper vocal technique, vocal hygiene education, and prevention of voice disorders among individuals who rely heavily on voice use in their daily religious duties.
The initiative aimed to enhance awareness of occupational voice health and promote early detection of voice disorders among high-risk vocal users.

Clinical Screening and Assessment
In addition to structured lectures and practical vocal training sessions, participants underwent comprehensive voice health screening conducted by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM). The assessments included:
Voice-related symptom screening using the Malay version of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (mVHI-10)
Clinical voice examination
Flexible laryngoscopy and stroboscopy
Acoustic voice analysis

Health Education and Immediate Interventions
All participants were provided with vocal hygiene pamphlets and educational posters to reinforce learning and promote sustainable voice care practices beyond the programme.
Participants with abnormal findings received immediate voice therapy intervention and individualized counselling sessions on-site. Where further management was required, they were referred as outpatient cases to the nearest appropriate hospital for continued evaluation and treatment.

Key Findings
Preliminary screening results demonstrated that approximately 30% of participants reported voice-related symptoms, while 10% were found to have laryngoscopic abnormalities.

The most commonly identified conditions included:
Muscle tension dysphonia
Vocal polyp
Vocal nodule
These findings highlight the significant prevalence of voice disorders among religious vocal professionals and underscore the importance of routine vocal health monitoring in this group.

Collaboration and Support
The programme was jointly organized by UKM through the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Islamic Studies, in collaboration with the Office of the Federal Territory Mufti.
Industrial collaboration was provided by PENTAX Medical and Easmed Sdn. Bhd., which supported the programme through provision of diagnostic equipment for voice assessment, patient education materials, and participant appreciation tokens. This collaboration strengthened efforts to improve public awareness on vocal health and early detection of voice disorders.

Dignitaries and Closing Ceremony
The event was officiated by Sahibus Samahah Mufti of the Federal Territories, Tuan Ahmad Fauwaz bin Fadzil @ Ali, who delivered the keynote address.
The closing ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships), UKM, Prof. Dr. Bariah Mohd Ali.
Also present were:
Dean, Faculty of Medicine, UKM, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Marina Mat Baki
Dean, Faculty of Islamic Studies, UKM, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim