Rejected by ST Forum
ST's Reporting on Madrasah
Dear Editor I write in with disappointment reading the article on Friday Aug 25th on page 49 "Six too young for religious classes" by Sharmilpal Kaur.
In it, the reporter in particular has made a grave mistake in her coverage of that particular news. While interviewing a group of teens from Jordan who were here for an NYC award ceremonial event, she resorted to ask the leader of the group, Mr Abdel, to comment on the issue of Madrasah and religious education.
I could not help but assume that the reporter was being very superficial in her understanding of the issue at hand.
She should have been aware of the seriousness of the issue and have taken measures to understand the consequences of her covering such a news in such a manner, and whether has she given due consideration of the impact of her article printed the way it had.
Also, the student group were not here to give comments on the CE/Madrasah issue. The interviewee, Mr. Abdel as well as his group did not display the proper Islamic mode of dress, etiquette and mannerisms. What was projected of them through the photo taken shows very much that they were not given proper Islamic educational training and upbringing and does not reflect a group of moral Muslims. Mr Abdel's views about having children as young as six as being "too young" for religious education shows that he has no knowledge and appreciation of religious guidance. Also, to say that to leave children out of secular modes of education as "dangerous" is contrary to the Islamic principles of faith and philosophy of education, where "secular" and "secularism" is opposed and has no place in Islam.
I question the purpose of such a coverage by ST, and especially the reporter in particular, Ms Sharmilpal Kaur. What was the purpose in her asking such a question on such an issue to someone who is not even qualified to speak about it? Was she supposed to cover a news about a group of Jordanian youth who were here for an award ceremony or was it to actually take the opportunity to ask them about religious education since they were from Jordan? Why was there a disregard for the sensitivity of the issue that is of a religious concern? The article itself was made to appear as if one man's comments on the issue would mean that what he says is right and should be taken, while there was no effort to even ask the opinions of those who are more qualified to speak on this matter, and those Muslim leaders who have strived to defend the status of the Madrasahs here. Is it because his views reflect that of the Government's, instead of the interests of the Muslims? While Ms Kaur was not being objective in her coverage, the Editor was not performing his responsibility in considering to analyse the feasibility of such a coverage. She should practice more caution while covering such an issue since she is a non-Muslim who would not share the same concerns about the issue as with regards the Muslims here, while the Editor should have considered the varying effects of such a coverage and how it would matter for the community or persons in particular. If Ms Kaur wishes to quote on this matter, she should have chosen a person of repute and of a particular standing in the eyes of the Muslim community in particular. But that was not the case. Basically, if she has queries, she should go to the right people, not just any Tom, Dick or Harry.
If Ms Kaur and ST make up the true blue philosophy of proper news coverage, the news that was covered in the mentioned article proves that ST has still not taken into consideration the importance of public opinions and feelings. It triggers more attention to the usual biasness in the local media against Muslims and could stir another round of arguments and feelings about the issue. Being a journalist, as well as the only leading newspaper in this country, Ms Kaur and ST should be more than aware of the complexities of news coverages - how it can make or break someone or a community, or cause happiness or unhappiness, whatever the case may be.
Such covering also shows the incompetence of such job undertakings and a bad case of professionalism in itself.
Thus, it was a truly a disappointing piece of writing devoid of due respect and consideration of the seriousness of the Madrasah issue and its impact on the lives of the Muslims who are her fellow Singaporeans. For the benefit of the Muslim community here, as well as ST's, please be more objective in your choice of coverage. The motive of the subject shows antagonism to the structure and role of the Madrasah in Singapore. The appearance of that on your paper does not augur well for your own object of popular desires.
Abdul Shukor Bin Hadi
The Straits Times news article in question
AUG 25 2000
"Six too young for religious classes'
STARTING religious education at the age of six in the madrasahs is too early, said visiting Jordanian Abdel Razzaq Majjar.
Mr Abdel, 39, coordinates the Creativity, Action and Service and the El Hassan Youth Award programmes at the Amman Baccalaurate School in Jordan.
He was in town with 17 students as part of the National Youth Achievement Award given out by the National Youth Achievement Award Council here.
Speaking to The Straits Times on the madrasah issue yesterday, he said that Muslim children here start religious education too early in the madrasah system.
He said: ""Religious education could be introduced when children are older and as one subject alongside other subjects.
""At six years old, they're just babies. They don't know what they want, their parents make that decision.''
He added that being in a non-secular education system is also dangerous. It could not only throw up fundamentalists but also people who might not be able to communicate with others.
He said one way to get around having separate Islamic schools is to integrate religious knowledge into the national curriculum.
Jordan's main system of education, called the Tawgihi, teaches religion as a subject, much like Science or Mathematics, till students are 15 years old. They learn religion in addition to other subjects, not as the core subject.
Students can also opt for a baccalaurate education, which is similar to the main system, but puts less emphasis on religion, which is a compulsory subject.
In the latter system, two religious lessons, each lasting 45 minutes, are conducted weekly. The Tawgihi system has five religious lessons weekly.
Students specialise in religious studies only when they enter university.
This, said Mr Abdel, is much better because it allows youngsters to choose whether they want to do the subject and, at that age, they have a better idea of what they want.
Jordanian student Jamil Zraikoat, 17, said: ""A person doesn't know what they want at six years old. I wanted to be a pilot like my dad at that age, then I wanted to join the army and, now, I want to be a lawyer.''
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong suggested during the National Day Rally speech that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) lead a team to study the educational practices and the role of religious schools in Islamic countries such as Brunei, Oman and Jordan.
This is to help them decide how the madrasahs can train future religious leaders in the best way.