Finally, I've decided to type out my thoughts on this matter which I've intended to do quite some time ago.
The "in-thing" in Islamic education in Singapore is the programme called "Teens aLIVE" and "Kids aLIVE", a programme which the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) came up with. aLIVE actually brings the meaning of "Learning Islamic Values Everyday". (Refer to http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Islamic.aspx?id=192)
What I'm going to type here are my criticism of the programme. And I'd like to emphasize with the words of Imam Malik when he produced his book al-Muwatta', "This is just my opinion. I might be right and I might be wrong."
Firstly, I'd like to state that I'm not against the idea of teaching Islam to kids and teenagers in a very creative and flexible manner. Well, if it's proven to be effective and the kids/teens are able to grasp a better understanding, why not? Be it in the form of discussions, mind-mapping or even in the form of games (e.g. treasure hunt), by all means.
However, what I'd like to emphasize here is the content of the programme itself.
Firstly, the name itself which implies "Learning Islamic Values Everyday".
The question that arises, "Is Islam only about values?" If it is only about values, then how does it differ from Christianity?
Where's the emphasis on Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah)? The scholars have taught us, with the relevant verses from the Qur-aan that the prophets have been sent to teach Tawheed to the people.
In Surah al-Dhaariyaat verse 55, Allah states that he has not created jinn and mankind other than to worship Him. In order to worship Him, we need to know Him. And we know Him through Tawheed (Ruboobiyyah, Uloohiyyah and Asma' wa as-Sifaat).
Take a look at the topics covered in Teens aLIVE (http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Islamic.aspx?id=1818) as well as Kids aLIVE (http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Islamic.aspx?id=201).
In Kids aLIVE, there's some emphasis on 'aqeedah through topics of Faith & Practices, wal-hamdu lillaah.
But there's hardly such emphasis in Teens aLIVE. What if a teenager never gets to go through Kids aLIVE to learn about faith and practices. Where will he learn it from and how?
Even if he did, the emphasis and importance of 'aqeedah is something that cannot be denied.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad spent the first 13 years of his da'wah conveying the message and strengthening the understanding of Tawheed amongst his Companions.
Don't tell me that the lessons on 'aqeedah in Kids aLIVE is sufficient and that there is no need to continue with it in Teens aLIVE? SubhanAllaah.
We still have teenagers wearing amulets and good luck charms. We even have a young Muslim footballer who wore the same underwear throughout the whole championship without washing it, just because he believes that it brought him luck from the very first match.
We still have teenagers who proudly proclaims his zodiac sign being Virgo, Cancer, Sagitarius and others, who would read up about the horoscopes everyday in the newspapers or magazines and believing in them.
We still have teens believing that 13 is an unlucky number. And it's even worse if it is Friday the 13th..
Not forgetting, teenagers, especially girls, are afraid to go to the toilet alone, especially when the particular toilet is said to be haunted. And many other variety of superstitions.
SubhanAllaah.. in such a condition and we still do not want to emphasize on Tawheed?
I do not deny that Kids & Teens aLIVE are 2 good programmes, creative enough to appeal to the young Muslims nowadays. May Allah grant them success.
However, let us not forget the importance of Tawheed such that it needs to be emphasized time and again, because human beings do forget.
And I do hope that every aLIVE programme session is being supervised by an ustaz because from who else do we seek knowledge of the religion from?
Wallahu a'lam. I'd like to make a point again that I might be right and I might be wrong. Thus, I welcome any form of criticism.
The "in-thing" in Islamic education in Singapore is the programme called "Teens aLIVE" and "Kids aLIVE", a programme which the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) came up with. aLIVE actually brings the meaning of "Learning Islamic Values Everyday". (Refer to http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Islamic.aspx?id=192)
What I'm going to type here are my criticism of the programme. And I'd like to emphasize with the words of Imam Malik when he produced his book al-Muwatta', "This is just my opinion. I might be right and I might be wrong."
Firstly, I'd like to state that I'm not against the idea of teaching Islam to kids and teenagers in a very creative and flexible manner. Well, if it's proven to be effective and the kids/teens are able to grasp a better understanding, why not? Be it in the form of discussions, mind-mapping or even in the form of games (e.g. treasure hunt), by all means.
However, what I'd like to emphasize here is the content of the programme itself.
Firstly, the name itself which implies "Learning Islamic Values Everyday".
The question that arises, "Is Islam only about values?" If it is only about values, then how does it differ from Christianity?
Where's the emphasis on Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah)? The scholars have taught us, with the relevant verses from the Qur-aan that the prophets have been sent to teach Tawheed to the people.
In Surah al-Dhaariyaat verse 55, Allah states that he has not created jinn and mankind other than to worship Him. In order to worship Him, we need to know Him. And we know Him through Tawheed (Ruboobiyyah, Uloohiyyah and Asma' wa as-Sifaat).
Take a look at the topics covered in Teens aLIVE (http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Islamic.aspx?id=1818) as well as Kids aLIVE (http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Islamic.aspx?id=201).
In Kids aLIVE, there's some emphasis on 'aqeedah through topics of Faith & Practices, wal-hamdu lillaah.
But there's hardly such emphasis in Teens aLIVE. What if a teenager never gets to go through Kids aLIVE to learn about faith and practices. Where will he learn it from and how?
Even if he did, the emphasis and importance of 'aqeedah is something that cannot be denied.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad spent the first 13 years of his da'wah conveying the message and strengthening the understanding of Tawheed amongst his Companions.
Don't tell me that the lessons on 'aqeedah in Kids aLIVE is sufficient and that there is no need to continue with it in Teens aLIVE? SubhanAllaah.
We still have teenagers wearing amulets and good luck charms. We even have a young Muslim footballer who wore the same underwear throughout the whole championship without washing it, just because he believes that it brought him luck from the very first match.
We still have teenagers who proudly proclaims his zodiac sign being Virgo, Cancer, Sagitarius and others, who would read up about the horoscopes everyday in the newspapers or magazines and believing in them.
We still have teens believing that 13 is an unlucky number. And it's even worse if it is Friday the 13th..
Not forgetting, teenagers, especially girls, are afraid to go to the toilet alone, especially when the particular toilet is said to be haunted. And many other variety of superstitions.
SubhanAllaah.. in such a condition and we still do not want to emphasize on Tawheed?
I do not deny that Kids & Teens aLIVE are 2 good programmes, creative enough to appeal to the young Muslims nowadays. May Allah grant them success.
However, let us not forget the importance of Tawheed such that it needs to be emphasized time and again, because human beings do forget.
And I do hope that every aLIVE programme session is being supervised by an ustaz because from who else do we seek knowledge of the religion from?
Wallahu a'lam. I'd like to make a point again that I might be right and I might be wrong. Thus, I welcome any form of criticism.
3 comments:
La shukr 'ala wajib. However, pls do state the date of this article as well, since I wrote it 3 years ago. The situation might be different now.
Came across this whilst looking for background information on the program for a purpose of a research.
I'm sure you have yet to move beyond the name of the program to take a look at the comprehensive curriculum. it is a pity that the first thoughts are that of criticism. many have put time and effort into the launch of this program that seeks to educate non-Malay speaking children with Islamic Knowledge.
It is this negativity that exists within the Malay community in Singapore that prevents the Malay-Muslim community from moving forward. i hope you would look on the goodness that exist before seeking to criticize on unfounded grounds. You should pray for the success of this program and for the children to be true believers in Allah and followers of the Al-Quran.
As i said in my previous comment, please note that this was written in 2007. The situation might be different now. Rather, i believe it is different now, and much better, walhamdu lillah. As it is more established.
A few points to note:
1) just because it is a programme by Muis doesn't mean it is beyond criticism. There's always room for improvement, thus the need for criticism.
2) just because a person criticizes doesn't mean he is totally against it. He merely mentions points of disagreement/concern.
wallahu a'lam
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