No need to fuss over hadith module

THERE was recently some controversy about the plan to teach “Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith” in schools nationwide.

As a mother of three children in Year 5, as well as Forms 2 and 5, I was naturally concerned. Why is the Education Ministry teaching this in schools? Will my children be affected?

But upon closer examination, I think we are just making a mountain out of a molehill. Frankly, I don’t see what the fuss is all about. More likely than not, it’s just politicians trying to stir up sentiments to score political points.

First of all, the teaching will only involve Muslim students and have nothing at all to do with non-Muslims. Even then, it does not involve all Muslim students. The education minister said this only affects selected national religious schools nationwide.

Why should non-Muslims worry about what’s taught to a small group of students? As it is, all Muslim students must take Islam as a subject in schools. Why should we as non-Muslims get overly worked up over the teaching of “Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith”?

And let’s look at the optics of this. If we oppose what Muslims can learn or not learn about their own religion, then wouldn’t this invite them to do the same? It will only lead to an endless tit-for-tat. Do we want that?

Let’s not forget that we have freedom of religion in Malaysia, subject to the provisions of the Federal Constitution. If what is taught to students of a particular religious group is beneficial and does not promote division, we should not oppose it.

Similarly, schools also allow students and teachers to take part in non-Islamic activities. Surely we do not want others to tell us how to run these activities, as long as these activities do not adversely impact others. Back in the day, Bible Knowledge was a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia subject and I didn’t see non-Christians kicking up a fuss about it.

Let’s live and let live. There is no need to get excessively worried about the teaching of “Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith” in schools to a small group of Muslim students. Similarly, Christians in this country do not like to be told how they should practise their faith, much less have the government clamp down on their freedom.

In the spirit of Merdeka, let’s all embrace our diversity and not allow politicians to drive a wedge between us. – August 29, 2023.

* Mary Wong Siew Leng reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.