Higher Education Ministry developing course to address Islamophobia
PUTRAJAYA (Sept 27): The government is in the early stages of developing a course on addressing Islamophobia in higher education institutions, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
He stated that the syllabus is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), which is in discussions with several foreign universities that offer similar courses.
“Recently, we met with the Association of Muslim Social Scientists and several other associations to discuss the creation of a new academic discipline to comprehensively address Islamophobia.
“Insya-Allah, the course will be offered soon,” he told reporters after the Usrah MADANI 4.0 event, themed “Multi-faith Community Interaction on Islamophobia,” today.
Zulkifli emphasised that such education is crucial to combat societal ignorance about the true meaning and teachings of Islam, which is one of the main causes of fear and anxiety toward Islam and its followers.
“I call on Malaysians of all ethnicities and religions, to strive to become a society that understands each other. This is the best approach to address Islamophobia and racial prejudice,” he stated.
Meanwhile, today’s lecture at the event was delivered by Prof. Khaled Beydoun, a law professor from Arizona State University in the United States, who is well-known for his outspoken commentary on issues related to Islamophobia.
Khaled emphasised that it is the responsibility of every Muslim to engage with individuals of other faiths and have candid conversations about the true teachings of Islam, even if those conversations may be uncomfortable.
He added that Malaysia has the potential to become a centre for intellectual discourse on this issue and could take the lead in dismantling modern mental ‘colonisation’ by addressing the widespread misconceptions surrounding Islam.
“You guys (Malaysians) have some of the finest Islamic universities, learning centres and leaders. This is where conferences and intellectual exchanges need to happen.
“Every prominent Muslim intellectual in my opinion, whether in the United States, Europe or Canada, should spend some time learning the system in Malaysia,” he said.
– Bernama
