Muslim Schools are complex
institutions, comprising many dimensions and facets.
From the members of the Boards of Governors, the
management, the staff, the pupils and parents,
Muslim Schools are institutions that incorporate all
strata and shades of people from the community.
Unlike other Islamic educational institutions where
homogenous (one) type of persons are found, the
situation in Muslim Schools is not so. It is much
more complex and comprehensive. Here people of
different levels of understanding, abilities and
piety get together. This naturally leads to a
situation where a variety of problems are created.
Added to this, Muslim Schools are also relatively
young institutions in this country. Most schools are
still struggling to survive and are just about
finding their feet. Despite all the problems
associated with Muslim schools, one fact remains –
they are little islands in the stormy ocean of chaos
in the prevalent educational systems in this
country.
Although there are waves of
problem after problem in the structures of Muslim
schools, at the same time, the potential these
institutions possess in terms of shaping strong
future Muslims is unlimited. A Muslim School is an
ideal venue where effective Tarbiyyah, Ta'leem and
Da'wah of the coming generation of Muslims can be
conducted. If only the leadership of our Muslim
Schools can realize the gold mine they are sitting
upon! This supreme opportunity should help to
overcome all the little obstacles in between and
they should serve to spur on and encourage all types
of people involved in Muslim Schools towards an
optimistic and positive outlook for the future.
It is the experience of seniors
and learned people, that the children who remain
sound Muslims for life are those who have had very
strong Islamic tendencies in their families or those
who have had a solid Islamic Tarbiyyah and
grounding, by way of sound Islamic institutions. So
while Muslim schools are not perfect (and who is
really perfect), they are among the more effective
ways that many children, especially those from weak
Islamic homes will be saved from the onslaught of
apostasy and Kufr. To save the Imaan of a single
Muslim is a major achievement for any Muslim
community. Imagine if hundreds of young Muslims can
be saved …
It is the cry of the hour for
concerned people in the Muslim community to become
much more serious about the Muslim schools in the
midsts and to put their full weight and support
behind them. This is the only way we can make it
happen.
Mufti Z. Bhayat
