PERGAS PRESS STATEMENT ON OUR STAND ON THE PROPOSED CE (COMPULSORY EDUCATION) AND THE MADRASAH

Introduction

PERGAS is an association of Islamic Scholars and Teachers, and its teachers have thousands of students under their care. The Muslim community too wants PERGAS to do something about this issue given its wide implications to the future of the madrasah in particular, and Islamic religious education for Singapore Muslims in general. Therefore, PERGAS is only doing its duty

This Press Conference will also allow PERGAS' members and Singapore Muslims as a whole to know what PERGAS' stand and what it is doing about this issue. While we continue to discuss this issue quietly behind-the-scenes with other concerned individuals and bodies, we need to reassure our own members and the Muslim community at large, that we are not keeping quiet on a matter of such importance to all Muslims in this Republic.

Finally, with this Press Conference and its coverage in all the media (English, Malay Chinese and Tamil), we hope to enable the government and other Singaporeans to better understand why, many Muslims are uneasy about this matter, and what ideas PERGAS can offer to better manage this sensitive issue, before an official position is adopted by the government.

Our Concerns

Firstly, that due to the difference in the government's definition of the term "education" with our Islamic understanding of it, this CE issue would mean that the rights of Muslims to channel some of our children in accordance with our community's needs for specialized teachers ( i.e. in the madrasah stream ) would be taken away

Secondly, to implement this proposed CE inevitably would force the closure of primary madrasah and therefore we deem it as a contradiction to the assurances given by the government that it does not intend to close down the madrasah.

Thirdly, we would advise the government that with this CE, the government would be seen by the Muslim community to have initiated yet another 'sinister' motive of ultimately 'eradicating' the madrasah as an Islamic Educational Institute.

Our Stand

1. PERGAS reject the proposal, in its present form, to implement this CE if it causes the closure of schooling in primary madrasah, which to PERGAS, is tantamount to the gradual and inevitable closure of the madrasah, even if not intended.

2. PERGAS prefer that the government allow the madrasah to continue retaining its existing primary levels, perhaps with adjustments within it to accommodate the concerns for which the CE proposal wish to address. To the advocates (even amongst the Malay members of parliament) who opine that madrasah education can start at secondary level, PERGAS submit that they are not in a position to understand the nature of madrasah education, which has to begin from young (and uninterrupted). If their concern is the inadequacy of the current primary level madrasah schooling, then may we suggest that they assist the madrasah to alleviate this inadequacy within the madrasah system, rather than clamour for its closure (albeit even temporarily).

3. We understand and appreciate the government's concern for the need to inculcate national or social integration. We certainly support this ideal, but our cohorts in the madrasah constitute only 4% of the total, and our past students have adapted well in a multi-religious / multi-racial society of Singapore. If the need is still required for exposure to students from other races, PERGAS suggests twinning of the madrasahs with nearby government schools for common subjects, or related measures. Such measures could further support the government's effort at ensuring peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the various races in Singapore.

4. The respect for each group and the avoidance of encroaching into what each community regards as sensitive matters, have been a potent and well tested recipe for the stability or our multiracial society. We must caution any attempt to conscript the meaning and practice of multi-racialism. 'Multi-racialism' and indeed 'National integration' must mean that all and every racial community be given some space to uphold and practice its values and long-held traditions while still working with others to build a harmonious society. Lest we forget, we can forge, not force, national integration. Thus, the concern for integration of our citizens, which PERGAS fully support, should not be at the expense of diluting the different characteristics (whether, religious or cultural) of any ethnic group. We hope the government continues with this wise policy. PERGAS wishes to stress again that to the Muslim community in Singapore, the issue of the madrasah is a very sensitive one. This religious institution has been with Muslims for centuries and is so dear to us, given our different worldview of life, which goes beyond this material world. Any future proposal seen as undermining this institution would certainly invite negative reaction.

WaAllaahu a'lam

THANK YOU
Was-salaam
USTAZ SYED ABDILLAH AL-JUFRI
PRESIDENT OF PERGAS