15th February 2021 (02.07.1442)
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmathullahi Wa Barakathuhu!
Sri Lankan Muslims have been seeking and gaining their knowledge in religious matters such as recitation of Al-Qur’an, circumstantial Du’as (prayers), morality etc. through the institutions which were commonly known among the community as Qur’an Madrasa, ‘Pallikkoodam’, Ahadiyya, Maktab etc. throughout history. While such institutions and arrangements were prevalent in the society, the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs (DMRCA) was established in the year of 1980. After which, the Qur’an Madrasas mentioned above were registered at this Department. Further, this Department provided certain guidelines on the Syllabus and general administration related affairs of these Qur’an Madrasas. It is noteworthy that these Qur’an Madrasas were being conducted by the Imams who were in charge of affairs in the respective Masjids.
Considering the shortcomings and regressive situation in these Qur’an Madrasas that were identified over a period of time, the ACJU initiated various measures to restructure and reform these institutions. In consideration of many issues including the need to provide the primary knowledge of the religion to the children, the insufficient proportion of Moulavis as teachers to educate subject of Islam to Schools, the ACJU compiled and introduced the Maktab syllabus based on the curriculum draft prepared by DMRCA for Al-Qur’an Madrasas and with the inclusion of the main and most important aspects of the religion. Matters such as providing the required training for the teachers to teach such curriculum, the time period allocated to teach each part of the curriculum, salaries allocated for the educators, monitoring / observation of teaching methodologies etc. were included in this curriculum when it was compiled and introduced.
Due to the unfortunate Easter Attacks in 2019 and the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, many issues were encountered in maintaining this project in the same order. It was decided to hand over the management of Maktab operations of the locality, to the respective Masjid administrations who were already engaged in overlooking related matters, with the collaboration of the local Ulama and the respective Maktab representatives, in order that these operations could be continuously conducted more efficiently.
The DMRCA is currently engaged in efforts to reform and restructure the existing Quran Madarsas, Hifl Madarsas, Ahadiyya, Maktab under an umbrella term ‘Islamic Educational Schools (Daham Schools)’, which shall be established in the local Masjids under the purview of Waqf Board and shall be under the supervision of the DMRCA.
Thus, an organized syllabus, proper guidance and training for teachers, salaries for teachers, special monitoring system will be facilitated, while ensuring that the students are not overburdened and the principles of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ath are not conflicted. In line with achieving the above goals, a procedure for Al-Qur’an Madrasas and Maktabs and another separate procedure for Ahadiyya classes will be introduced.
The ACJU welcomes the proposed reforms and affirms that it shall render its fullest contribution and cooperation in this regard. Furthermore, we earnestly request the Ulama and the officials of all the Masjids island-wide to offer support to the Islamic Educational Schools under the above mentioned system.
May the Almighty Allah accept our good deeds and bless all of us!
Wassalam!
Ash-Shaikh M. S. M. Thassim
(Acting) General Secretary
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
