Forum 3

Forum 3: Discuss on how we can integrate Islamic knowledge across the curriculum.

Islam is a beautiful religion. It comprehensively covers all aspects of human life. So, it is undeniable that Islam and knowledge are interrelated and complement to each other. It serves as a social representation and identities throughout the Islamic education system. Therefore, Islamic education must be holistic thus it can be integrated with secular subjects including Mathematics, Science, Information Technology (IT), Geography and many more. It is the necessity for integrating Islamic knowledge in curriculum especially by inserting Islamic elements in a textbook for various subjects or conducting certain activities or programs that enhance students’ thinking and creativity by fostering Islamic values. For example, when we have co-curriculum school activities such as ‘Basikalton program’ in conjunction with Independence Day, instead of cycling, we ask students to bring along with them cassava (ubi kayu) and distribute to the villagers whenever they are passing by the village house. We can see that throughout this program, we are in a way educate students by almsgiving or charity towards people in need. Based on Quranic verse it is clearly stated that (57:18), whoever gives sadaqat (zakat and alms etc.), men and women, and lend to Allah a goodly loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit) and there shall be an honorable good reward (i.e. Paradise). Another example is that by practicing a short tazkirah in every lesson in class. The teacher must relate the subject that he or she teach by relate it with Islamic moral value so that it will indirectly shape student’s mind and personality in daily life conduct. By contrast, in geography learning, the teacher can bring students for an educational trip such as visiting National Park (Taman Negara), forest, caves (they will notice the formation of stalactite and stalagmite takes place) and etc. Therefore, they will appreciate (by saying Subhanallah) when they discover how beautiful Allah create things with certain purpose. Other than that, in order to create integrated students via integrated curriculum, the Ministry of Education may revive and converted the Malay textbook, from Roman alphabet into Jawi alphabet by implementing Jawi writing (Tulisan Jawi) as a basis for revitalizing and improving the mastery of Jawi writing among students. Thailand is one of the best example that still use their own Sanskrit writing in their teaching lesson rather than roman alphabet in order to preserve their holistic writing. In regards to IT, we know that IT is the borderless world in serving people with various kind of information. So, we have to implement the methods that is use in preserving the hadith by filtering the narrator of hadith, by looking at sanad and matan in order to get authentic hadith. So, same goes to IT. We need to filter those negative substances like phonography, gambling and etc. from entering the technology realm illegally. Therefore, we can cultivate Islamic manner and values in our daily life conduct. Undoubtedly, Islam is not just dealing with Arabic language itself but it is the way we reflect and practice the values in our existence.

To wrap up, the integration of Islamic knowledge into the curriculum is very vital in order to preserve the contribution of Islam and Muslims in Islamic heritage, to demonstrate Islamic teaching is relevant and applicable towards every aspect of life and subjects, to assimilate between the sacred and secular knowledge and last but not least is to avoid students from godless ideologies.