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KUALA LUMPUR – Gerakan has called on the Education Ministry to strictly ensure that the controversial “appreciation module” on Imam Al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadiths is not extended to non-Muslim students in the future.
Its president Datuk Dominic Lau said this in decrying the lack of explanation given on the introduction of the module, stressing that there should be mutual understanding, including over the fears harboured by non-Muslims on the matter.
“What’s important is the explanation process regarding that approach. The initial statements of the authorities on this matter are too macro and create anxiety among the public, especially to non-Muslim parents and students,” he said in a statement on Facebook this evening.
“Furthermore, we as a multiracial and multi-religious society need to understand the context of harmony and respect the religious approach of our allies,” Lau said. He stressed that as long as the subject does not create any difficulty for others, it is not wrong for Muslims to pursue the curriculum, which he described as the foundation for a holy life and is believed to help in the moral formation of better young Muslim generations.
“I also emphasise that the [Education Ministry] adheres to its statement that the modules will be introduced only for religious school students and to Islamic students, and will not be expanded to non-Muslim students. The guarantees on this are important.”
He also expressed Gerakan’s support for the effort. He nevertheless said the party hopes that the ministry approaches stakeholders, including parents, with explanations on the planning, impact and pathway of the module.
“The problem we often face under this government is that they fail in the explanation process and often create anxiety among the people,” he said.
Earlier today PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had said that his party will hold a dialogue with Gerakan, its fellow component in Perikatan Nasional, to explain the implementation of the module in religious schools.
He said the party is always in communication with Gerakan over any issue that arises.
Yesterday, Umno leader Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed had hit out at PAS for hypocrisy and political expediency after the party had been quiet on Gerakan, which had objected to the implementation of the module.
In a statement last week, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism had expressed deep concern that the implementation of the module in national schools violates religious freedom as it espouses the complete Islamic system of life.
It said that Islam is the religion of the federation and this refers only to Islamic rituals and ceremonies.
“It does not include Islam as an all-embracing concept as it is normally understood as a comprehensive system of life,” it said.
It cited Article 12(2) of the federal constitution: “Every religious group has the right to establish and maintain institutions for the education of children in its own religion.”
Article 12(3) meanwhile states: “No person shall be required to receive instruction in or take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own”.
“Thus, the 40 Hadith can be taught in Islamic religious schools but in national schools, it may be unconstitutional to do so,” said the council, stressing that the constitution “protects persons including students from taking instruction in any religion other than their own.”
Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had stated, in response to criticism by non-Muslim groups, that the module is intended only for Muslim teachers and students.
He said its introduction is to strengthen their understanding of Islam, especially among young people. – The Vibes, August 27, 2023