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New 'Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith' module for Muslims only: Edu Ministry
The Education Ministry has clarified that the new "Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith" module to be introduced in public schools is for Muslim students only.
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying's special officer Lim Swee Kuan said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek explained this during the post-cabinet meeting yesterday.
"This course only involves Muslim teachers and students. For Chinese and Tamil schools, only Muslim students need to attend, and not...
The Education Ministry has clarified that the new "Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith" module to be introduced in public schools is for Muslim students only.
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying’s special officer Lim Swee Kuan said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek explained this during the post-cabinet meeting yesterday.
"This course only involves Muslim teachers and students. For Chinese and Tamil schools, only Muslim students need to attend, and not non-Muslim students. This is very clear.
"The minister has openly and clearly stated this to the deputy minister, secretary-general, heads of various departments, and others present at the post-cabinet meeting," Lim told Sin Chew Daily.
On Aug 19, Fadhlina launched the "Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith" appreciation module which was aimed at fostering the values of Prophet Muhammad's sayings or "hadith" at the school level.
The module will be introduced in National Religious Secondary Schools (SMKA) and Government-funded Religious Schools (SABK) before being rolled out to other public schools.
Bernama reported that Education Ministry Islamic Education Division senior deputy director Omar Salleh said the module was developed upon the recommendation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who wanted the hadith to be taught in schools.
Omar said this would ensure that the appreciation of the hadith began at school, foster a spirit of love and deepen religious understanding, especially among Muslim students.
The Bernama article did not specify at the time if this module was for Muslim students only.
Non-Muslims’ concern
Following this, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) expressed "deep concern" over the possibility that non-Muslim students will have to learn the module as well.
The MCCBCHST argued that Article 12(2) and Article 12(3) of the Federal Constitution prevented Malaysians from taking instructions in any religion other than their own.
The group said the government and education minister must be guided by the Federal Constitution and not allow religion to influence education policy.
"Malaysians were already clamouring in the past for the standard of education in schools to be improved. Instead of looking into this aspect, the ministry appears to want to embark on introducing '40 hadith' teaching into national schools, amongst others.
"Thus, before any further steps are taken in the matter the Education Ministry should consult the MCCBCHST as stakeholders in this matter," the group added.
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What a shame! Instead of enhancing the quality of holistic education, teacher quality and school leadership quality, the Madani Government is apparently focusing on reinforcing Islamic education in our national schools. Our nation and schools were meant to be secular in nature. Our nation's founding fathers made it clear that they wanted a secular, democratic and inclusive multiethnic nation. Unfortunately, the Ketuanan Melayu and Islamic agenda is gaining firmer ground day by day. Enough is enough. I urge right-thinking Malaysians to unite and demand the Education Ministry to focus on enhancing the quality of our school education, and not transform our national schools into religious schools. Above all, this misguided attitude of the Madani Government to exhibit a more Islamic-centric stand than PAS is divisive and will tear the nation apart in the long run. What Malaysia badly needs is a bold and far-sighted Malay political leader to unite Malaysians together through a "win-win" and inclusive national agenda aimed at creating a truly united, meritocratic and prosperous Bangsa Malaysia. I had faith in Anwar Ibrahim, but alas he has been quite a letdown. It does appear that we have to depend on divine intervention to steer our beloved nation towards the right track. I hope and pray that I am wrong!
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