Anwar: Unity govt won’t impose Hadith module on non-Muslims

The unity government has never forced non-Muslims to memorise or study Imam Nawawi's 40 Hadis said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the 'Imam Al-Nawawi's 40 Hadis' appreciation module is intended only for Muslim teachers and students.

The move is to strengthen their understanding of Islam, especially among young people.

“The initiative is for Muslims, especially young people because it is important for them to master and understand Islam, so non-Muslims should not misunderstand. "

“Deepening religious knowledge is based on the Quran, Hadis and the interpretation by authoritative scholars," he told reporters after a meeting with the unity government machinery in Iskandar Puteri today.

On Aug 19, the education ministry launched 'Imam Al-Nawawi's 40 Hadis appreciation module to foster Hadis appreciation starting at the school level.

Anwar was responding to concerns raised by non-Muslim groups on the Education ministry’s pilot programme.

The Education ministry has clarified that the new subject module to be based on a collection of hadith or sayings of Prophet Muhammad is only intended for Muslim teachers and students.

Should not misunderstand

It said the programme would involve Muslim teachers and students at 61 government religious secondary schools and 228 government-aided religious secondary schools nationwide.

Earlier, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) expressed "deep concern" over the possibility of non-Muslim students having to learn the module as well.

The module will first be introduced in National Religious Secondary Schools (SMKA) and Government-Aided Religious Schools (SABK) before it is implemented in schools under the Education Ministry next year.

Earlier in his speech, Anwar said followers of other religions should not misunderstand the efforts to increase understanding of Islam among Muslims.

He said the understanding of Islam, especially among young Muslims, should be enhanced to prevent them from becoming a generation that is ignorant of knowledge.

- Bernama