Maryam Lemu – Education of the Heart, The Heart of Education

			was a bit laggy Ministry of Energy in Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi
wabarakatuh. This is Miriam lemo. I'd like to first of all acknowledge that association of Muslim
schools, South Africa, for organizing this amazing conference on the heart of education is the
education of the heart. I'll be speaking today on education and living knowledge, the ultimate key.
Now the whole purpose of education is it's meant to be applicable. It's meant to be relevant. And
sadly, many of our children are victims, and so are we have a system of cram and vomit just to pass
exams, however, they are missing some key life skills to help them thrive, and core values to give
		

			them a moral compass. What is the point of being the best and the brightest if you're morally
bankrupt, the best and the brightest liar the best and the brightest crook, thief, racist, bigot,
oppressor or anything else. Children are supposed to have values instilled in them from the home,
but parents cannot do it alone. And sadly, parents drop the ball. Schools are meant to complement
and continue to plant seeds of values and discipline in children as they grow. So just as schools
teach children to be lawyers, doctors, engineers and architects etc. We have to remember that they
are going to be citizens of the world. They are going to be husbands and wives, employers and
		

			employees, neighbors, community members, and community leaders. And they are going to need tools to
help them navigate the real world and values to ensure that society civil society is run on
principles good ethics, justice, equity, equality, law and order etc. Governments consist of people,
organizations and institutions consist of people, people make the laws, our children are going to
grow up into positions where they get to set the status quo. Something's happening today in
societies once upon a time were unheard of, or unacceptable. Over time, values have become eroded
and even blurry. Good is slowly becoming uncool, and bad is made to look like the norm. The
		

			beautiful character of a true Muslim is missing in action in many of us, our youth are turning their
backs on Islam, because they are not seeing the application or relevance of the Scriptures and the
Hadith in their daily lives, not at home, not in society, and definitely not in schools. This is
where Islamic schools have a huge role to play to fill the void. Because secular education alone is
incomplete. There is a gap which science alone does not explain, which does not go in line with the
truth and morals and values are not being taught as subjects in schools. So we have to make sure
that there is a balance between secular education and the Islamic perspective. Now there's a paper
		

			that was presented by my late mother be Aisha lemo at the International Conference on the
contributions of the Islamic world to education in 2011 in Kuwait, she reflected on the many
centuries when the lands of Islam give birth to a civilization that spread across the globe, and set
the pace in science, technology, medicine, architecture, literature, and the arts while retaining
its Islamic ethos and faith. The past is fascinating and instructive, but our involvement is in the
present and towards the future. First, let's get a better understanding of an Islamic school. Since
the era of the great Muslim scholars times have changed, education has changed and the centers of
		

			learning have moved to the west. The West learned from the Muslim world and in due course took over
the leadership of the world almost in every aspect of science, technology, and in other disciplines.
With the passage of time, the Islamic legacy was forgotten or denied in the West as if it never even
existed. Many in the modern world today view education from a secular materialistic perspective, and
the majority of schools and universities are presented with secular curricula, secular textbooks and
secular minded teachers. A survey conducted in the UK, for example, revealed that over 50% of its
citizens do not believe in any particular religion. So the long struggle between secular science and
		

			religion continues. Yet Muslims see no automatic conflict. At the time when Muslims led the way in
knowledge, civilization, religion and science, they were considered to be complimentary. Education
from an Islamic perspective is therefore different in certain respects from the current secular
education, but it is not different in every respect many aspects of modern education including
science, acceptable to Muslims, however, there are differences and this gave rise to a series of
world conferences on Islamic education in the 70s and 80s. These conferences in due course sponsored
a series of books by Muslim scholars, the triple it the International Institute for Islamic thought,
		

			took up the challenge and the concept of Islamization of knowledge aroused a lot of interest, the
Islamic University of Malaysia and other centers
		

			were active in developing the idea for university students. In due course a number of fascinating
and well illustrated books on science and the natural world also arouse a lot of interest the
proliferation of private Muslim schools. Over the past 20 years or so we have seen in Nigeria a
rapid increase in independent Islamic private schools. The appearance of such schools can be found
wherever Muslims have migrated, including the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, Australia, and
even South Africa etc. Here in Nigeria, there are hundreds of private Muslim schools. Many are
members of the Association of Muslim Islamic schools at the lower level they are poorly funded and
		

			barely survive. at the upper end of the spectrum. There are so highly respected Muslim schools which
can compete favorably with any other school. Some of these top Muslim schools work together in
exchanging ideas, and are innovative in breaking new grounds in Islamic education. I would like to
present to you a case study of a school that is trying to revive and rethink the Islamic approach to
education in the contemporary society. I have been privileged to be part of the team that runs such
a school that was established by my parents in 1995. The college was named New Horizons college
because of their ambition to always be in the forefront with new ideas, always exploring just what
		

			is over the horizon waiting to be discovered. The college which belongs to the Islamic education
trust was just like any other Muslim school. In the early days, we taught the national curriculum
including Islamic Studies, Arabic and added Quranic recitation. Eventually, we built the boarding
house with over 400 boys and girls. Little did we know what was coming. It was true that we
considered ourselves in Islamic school with Islamic and secular subjects all under one roof. But
this had little effect on students in terms of Islamic orientation. When they graduated, most of
them turned out to be like any student from any other secular school. With their fair share of bad
		

			manners, spoiled brats, and loose morals. Some parents expected us to reform their children who are
already on drugs and engage in immoral acts. It was Against this backdrop that the Islamic education
board was established. Its function was to look at every aspect of a student's daily life and their
experiences from early morning until lights out when they go to bed. The question before us was what
makes an Islamic school Islamic? It is clearly not the national syllabus for Islamic Studies and
Arabic or the examinations based on them. How then can a school instill greater taqwa God
consciousness and good morals in adolescence students, it was obvious that we couldn't force it on
		

			them because this brings out resistance rather than acceptance. Therefore, we have to creatively
instill the COA indirectly, based on activities that entice students to find meaning in their lives,
and the ability to think and use reason from an Islamic tradition. Firstly, we try to broaden our
students knowledge and their experience by going outside the national curriculum. We also try to
employ and retain staff who they themselves are role models and counselors, boys and girls study in
different classrooms, we find that they excel without any other agenda distraction. They are taught
to write and defend their certificates jealously. It is our policy to make sure that both boys and
		

			girls are given equal opportunities that are in line with Islamic teachings. They learn to catch
fish, they learn to cook how to slaughter around and roasted, they learn how to change a tire and do
various arts and crafts. In addition, both boys and girls are taught how to swim as recommended by
Rasulullah sallallahu wasallam and sports is highly recommended in the school. Students are taught
public speaking, debating and acting from this they gain confidence and at the same time they get to
have fun, yes, fun. They have children and they should be allowed to have fun. The motto of New
Horizons college is work hard and play hard. Through these and other kinds of activities the
		

			students eventually get to love the school. The school also aims to extend the student's knowledge
into important areas that are neglected in the national syllabus, particularly in the areas of world
history. This helps fill the gap of ignorance about the history of the world around us. In addition,
students are given one year of World Geography using videos by David Attenborough such as the blue
planet, planet, Earth, etc. As an introduction to Alan's creation and the world around us. During
the April holidays, the students go in groups on a squatted holidays with the staff to historical
destinations within an outside Africa such as Egypt, Turkey, Malaysia, Spain, Greece, China, India,
		

			and so on. such experiences broaden students' understanding of great nations past and present and
their cultures. It is in line with the Quranic instructions and teachings that we should travel the
earth and broaden our knowledge. They engage in various activities that teach them concern for
others and
		

			community so they engage in various community activities and services, such as filling of potholes
in the neighborhood clearing filthy gutters, teaching adult literacy to the junior staff who are
unlettered, adopting children from the neighborhood and inviting those children to join them for
meals, sports, and they have the orphans also health in sharing food to the underprivileged in the
community. The college engage the best teachers they can find many of whom are non Muslims. The
policy fosters good mutual relations and mutual respect, and thereby sets a good example to students
in a multi religious country, such as Nigeria. other courses for senior students is Islam and
		

			dialogue for peaceful coexistence. highly qualified and experienced staff conduct this course over
two full days in place of the regular timetable. It deals with areas of Islamic knowledge, where
people in general are often confused or misled, like relationships with non Muslim Islamic culture
issues concerning women. the authenticity of the Scriptures are women oppressed in Islam, the hijab
and niqab debate, and now we've gone into countering radicalization and violent extremism, atheism,
etc. The cover over 100 topics during this course these important topics do not exist in the Islamic
Studies national syllabus. Our students who have been through these courses over the two year period
		

			find them to be of great use, especially when they graduate and go into university where their faith
will be challenged. And they need to know how to give clear responses to correct any misinformation
or misunderstandings amongst both Muslims and non Muslims. After this course, there's another course
which is what we call our baby the Islamic perspectives. Now this course was created by my mom, I
Shalimar for the college and has been developed and has evolved for over the past 19 years. The
college recognized that the Islamization of knowledge as proposed by those who have promoted it will
be difficult to implement within the current structure and system of education. instead of replacing
		

			the secular system, the college has introduced a parallel Islamic approach to knowledge. Students
therefore learn and fully understand the secular approach to sciences and other fields of studies.
But also through the guidance of a separate teacher. They explore subjects from an Islamic
perspective, this enriches their understanding of all subjects, and develops a greater appreciation
of others creations and his bounties to mankind Islamic perspective covers and Muslims way of
thinking. It includes Islamic manners and social conduct steps on the right path with selected
topics or moral issues based on the Hadith, wonders of Allah's creation, and debunking the theory of
		

			evolution, and the book for men of understanding. Islam the natural way teaches how to live and
think as a Muslim in relation to family, community, workplace nation and the oma and relationship
with people of other faiths. In the course of our students six years in the college, they also get
to cover several other shorter courses which include self discovery, adventure, personal development
and leadership The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, business and financial literacy, six
thinking hats, emotional intelligence, leadership training, spouse selection in Islam and premarital
counseling and a whole lot more. These courses equip the students with life skills, self confidence
		

			and a respect for Islamic guidance on all spheres of life and the path to moral and spiritual
development as they proceed to university in the outer world. The subject Islamic perspectives has
evolved and adapted in breadth, depth and relevance to the 21st century. For example, students in
the senior classes are being introduced to the basics of Islamic jurisprudence, and also low fake in
order to understand the criteria for ascertaining the credibility of the fatwa the religious
verdict, this course also includes the understanding of the Grand objective and higher intent of
Islamic law and its purpose as a means to achieving common good and public benefit. They are also
		

			presented with Islamic perspectives on a number of issues related to agriculture, environmental
ethics, sustainable development and animal rights and Islam. As for New Horizons college, it will
inshallah continue to explore what makes an Islamic school more Islamic as it continues to pioneer a
holistic education that goes beyond academic excellence beyond reading and writing and passing
exams. beyond being just the best and the brightest, to the best and the brightest in broad general
knowledge to the best and the brightest. In high Islamic moral ethos. These developments in Islamic
education are presently being offered and shared with other interested Islamic schools and
		

			organizations such as the Association of modern Islamic schools and also internationally. Looking
forward as we move further into a more global future. Islamic education will have to teach greater
respect for other civilizations. If it is to catch up, contribute and move ahead.
		

			It will have to be more holistic and respectful of the diversity that Muslims will have to live with
more than any other time in the past, ethics and rights are coming to the fore in business, finance,
international and domestic policies, environmental concerns and other aspects of life. Therefore,
there is a major need for Muslim scholars and educationists to help the next generation to be fully
prepared to contribute to the progress of humanity. In conclusion, education in the 21st century has
to be dynamic and fluid and has to evolve in order to address all the various challenges that exist
today. It has been enjoined an all Muslim parents that the best legacy we can give our children is
		

			good therapy, good morals and a good education. Now that is what is essential to creating stable and
peaceful nations, many society's ills did not happen overnight, and solving them will not happen
overnight either. It will take careful, meticulous, innovative and creative thinking for us to
properly educate the leaders that will solve the problems. The purpose of discussing the case study
of New Horizons college is not to boast or advertise our achievements, but to highlight what we
believe is an important contribution to the curricula of Islamic education in the 21st century. What
we see is a success story and a work in progress could not have been achieved without the right
		

			leadership and the right spirit and a sincere commitment and intention. It is my hope and prayer
that the little contributions that I have made in this presentation with the help of my mom may
Allah have mercy on her, in addition to those made by my co presenters will guide us all towards
finding and reaching a new horizons Assalamu alaikum