Asri: Let non-Muslims into Islamic schools

Non-Muslims should be allowed to enrol into Islamic schools to foster ties between Muslims and non-Muslims, former Perlis mufti Asri Zainol Abidin proposed. 

 

Asri, who is currently a fellow at Oxford University, said that this is important to develop leaders for multiracial and multi-religious societies. 

 

He said that by exposing children to different religions, they would grow up understanding the differences and ways to approach such differences. 

 

“Islamic schools in our country are only open to Muslims. As a result, those who graduate from these schools have little understanding of others. The same can be said of vernacular schools or schools. 

 

“If Christian mission schools can open their doors to non-Christians, why can’t we?” Asri (right) , wrote on his Facebook page last night. 

 

His statement comes as Umno divisional leaders call for the closure of Chinese vernacular schools, arguing that such schools breed anti-government sentiments. 

 

Umno, however, was slammed by BN partner Gerakan who said the call is baseless. 

 

Meanwhile, Asri, who is known for his progressive stance in Islam, said that opening Islamic schools to non-Muslims can also reduce misunderstandings about Islam.

 

He said that this will also mean that those who graduate from such schools will be less defensive and wary when interacting with those from different religions.