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RELIGIOUS school and pondok students in Malaysia must embrace new knowledge, particularly digital and technological skills, to serve as a bastion of strength for the nation’s Muslim community, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said.
Speaking at the State Tahfiz School Gathering at Masjid Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in Bentong today, Anwar stressed that the initiative does not call for an overhaul of the existing educational framework in religious schools or pondoks. Instead, it aims to broaden students’ mastery of essential contemporary knowledge.
“The world today is dominated by digital technology, artificial intelligence, and computing. We all must acquire these new skills. If we are to serve as a protective pillar, it must be through faith, ethics, knowledge, and mastery of modern technology,” he said.
He added that the demands of the modern era require educators and religious scholars to prepare students to confront the challenges of the 21st century.
Accompanying the Prime Minister were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Dr Zulkifli Hasan, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar also emphasised that in addition to new digital skills, religious schools and pondoks should prioritise teaching Bahasa Melayu and national history to ensure students understand Malaysia’s Constitution.
“We are raised in Malaysia, attending Chinese national-type schools, UEC schools, Arab schools, or international schools, yet many have little knowledge of history and the Constitution.
“The Constitution guarantees independence, a parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, Islam as the federal religion, Malay as the official language, the position and sovereignty of the Malay Rulers, and the special rights of the Bumiputera. This must be taught.
“Otherwise, after 60 or 70 years of independence, we are still arguing over language and special rights,” he said.
Highlighting the historical role of religious schools and pondoks, Anwar noted that during the colonial period, these institutions served as vital centres of faith and knowledge, defending the community’s spiritual and intellectual strength while the nation’s economy, education, and governance were dominated by Western powers.
“Historically, the role of religious schools and pondoks was significant. They served as fortresses of faith and knowledge when our country was under Western colonial rule,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s remarks underscore his vision of equipping Malaysia’s next generation of Muslims with a combination of spiritual, cultural, and modern technological knowledge to navigate a rapidly evolving global landscape. - January 22, 2026
