Selasa, 2 Oktober 2012

Regional discourse to improve Islamic education system

Rabiatul Kamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
 


THE 9th Regional Discourse on Islamic Education is being held for the first time in Brunei.

In his opening remarks during at The Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong, Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Muhammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman hoped that the two-day discourse event would lead to the establishment of a "proper and comprehensive" Islamic education system in the region.
 

 Minister of Religious Affairs YB Pg Dato Dr Hj Muhammad (L) and the Ra'es of KUPU SB Ustazah Dr Hjh Masnon (2nd L) during the opening ceremony of the 9th Wacana Pendidikan Islam. Picture: BT/Md Asdeny Yakub
 
"I hope this discourse can formulate the best methods and contents (towards the creation of an Islamic education system) in the interests of over 250 million Muslims," he said.

The minister elaborated that an Islamic education system is imperative towards the preservation of Islamic principles, such as aqidah (faith), syakhsiah (character) and akhlak (morality) alongside the upholding of Syariah law, for the future generations to come.

"The solution, of course, lies in providing them with a solid and complete Islamic education system," he told the audience.

YB Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad also believes that an Islamic education system will serve to protect Muslims from widespread negative influences that are contrary to Islam, which are found in "false and deviant" teachings.

He further stressed on the importance of Arabic language as a key element of a "solid and complete" Islamic education system in accordance to the Quran.

"That's why there is a need to increase the number of modern Arabic-stream schools that teach both duniawi (secular) and ukhrawi (religious) knowledge in every country within the region," he said.

According to the minister, Brunei is presently moving towards such an education system with the introduction of the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21) over the past several years.

In the SPN21 framework, the Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) subject is compulsory alongside science and other general subjects, while sixth form students are provided with the opportunity to study Usuluddin (religious teachings) and Syariah law.

Apart from Arabic-stream schools, the Sultanate also established the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Al-Quran Tahfiz Institute (ITQSHHB) tasked with producing skilled Quran reciters and memorisers.

"With the Compulsory Religious Education Order 2012 that was announced on Monday, insyaAllah, all the Muslim children in this country will receive a complete Islamic education from primary one to six at all religious schools," he said.

YB Pg Dato Hj Mohammad also lauded the 9th Regional Discourse on Islamic Education and its theme of "Enhancing Regional Islamic Education and Arabic Language".

The discourse event, which is a collaborative effort between Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) and National University of Malaysia (UKM), aims to serve as a platform for the discussion of issues pertaining to Islamic education.

Up to 60 working papers from Malaysian and regional academics, including Brunei, were presented during the two-day discourse event which will end today. The Brunei Times 
 

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