CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has emphasized the importance of adapting Arabic and Islamic educational curricula to align with modern trends in order to bring Muslim students on par with their counterparts in secular education.
He emphasized the need for hard work, effective collaborations, and unity of purpose to transition Muslim children from conservative syllabi to a more contemporary approach that expands their horizons.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid criticizes the current syllabi for being overly theoretical and disconnected from practicality, referring to it as “dry theology.”
He asserted that it is no longer viable for Muslims to rely solely on such outdated curricula and highlights the necessity of incorporating practical elements into the educational framework.
“Muslim children cannot be knowledgeable in ICT, Environment, Technology, Science and creative arts if our syllabus is still based on religious tenets instead of the Broadway educational system non- Muslim students enjoy.”
Dr. Abdul-Hamid made these remarks during a three-day seminar organized by T’alim Ghana, a Ghanaian Islamic NGO, in collaboration with The World Muslim Community Council from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Education without Borders. The seminar aimed to develop Islamic studies curricula specifically for the Muslim community in Ghana. The event attracted 30 participants and focused on the theme of “Islamic Teaching and Learning; Training for Specialists and developing Islamic Curricula.”
The seminar addressed various topics, including the challenges of Islamic education, strategies to ensure equality with secular education, and ways to expedite educational progress for Muslim students. Dr. Abdul-Hamid, drawing from his previous experience as the former Minister of Inner-Cities and Zongo Development, acknowledged that Muslim students tend to lag behind in secular education due to the religious focus of Arabic and Islamic studies.
He urged Muslim scholars to actively engage with the government in order to develop effective syllabi and curricula that uplift Muslim students. He emphasized the need to avoid individual ideological beliefs that could lead to disunity and disintegration among Muslim sects.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid also expressed support for Muslim ladies’ right to wear the hijab, equating it to wearing a school uniform that identifies students and their schools. He encouraged Muslims to assert themselves in their engagements and provide benchmarks that uphold their values while contributing to the development of curricula that benefit Muslims in Ghana and beyond.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdul-Hamid noted that the Ghanaian state has recognized the importance of religion in society, which is evident through the establishment of Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Islamic, and Ahmadiyya educational units across the country.
“If you want to know much about Catholicism, ask a Catholic and if you want to know much about Islam, ask a Muslim.”