Religious group against hadith lessons in national schools

Religious group against hadith lessons in national schools





KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23, 2023: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has protested against the teaching of Islamic hadith at national schools.

The council in a statement today said the recent introduction of ‘Imam Al Nawawi’s 40 Hadith’ appreciation module in schools by the Education Ministry was unconstitutional.

It admitted that the hadith, which is the sayings or traditions of Prophet Muhammad is part of Islam but there is no provision in the federal constitution that allows such Islamic teachings in national type schools.

The council pointed out that the federal constitution allows every person to practise their own religion and they cannot be instructed to take part in any religious act or worship other than their own.

It argued that Article 3(1) of the constitution, which says “Islam is the religion of the Federation” is restricted to only 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. Thus, as far as Islam’s public sphere is concerned it is limited to Schedule 9 List II, State List,” it stated.

The council further argued that .Article 12(2) provides that every religious group has the right to establish and maintain institutions for the education of children in its own religion’.

“Thus, the 40 Hadith can be taught in Islamic religious schools but in national schools, it may be unconstitutional to do so,” it added.

The council stressed that Article 12(3) protects persons including students from taking instruction in any religion other than their own.

“Thus, before any further steps are taken in the matter the ministry of education should consult the MCCBCHST as stakeholders in this matter. The national school must be a place where unity is promoted and not divisive policies introduced,” it said.