CAIRO: If religious conservatives have their way, educational reform in Egypt will reflect their strict and literalist interpretation of Islam. This will include separate programs for girls to teach them their “special roles and God-given obligations.” A member of the ultra-conservative Islamist Salafi Al-Nour party, Shabaan Abdel Aleen, will be chairing Parliament's new education committee. Tasked with instituting much-needed reform to the country's under-funded and under-performing educational system, the committee's agenda will be important to the country's future development. The Salafi reading of Islam rejects speculative theology, considering the use of discourse and debate a foreign import from Greek philosophy. Salafis strive instead for a purer form of religious devotion that adheres to literal readings and dress and behavior from the time of the prophet, such as the all-enveloping black niqab with eye-slits for women and the short galabaya robe for men. Beyond recommending that schools emphasize teaching skills most needed by Egypt's labor market, the group's al-Nour party website's education platform recommends eradicating everything in contradiction with Islam. Their ideas include: Curricula that conforms with Egyptian ethics and the moral values. Hiring religious teachers to revise curricula to teach “true Islam” so students enter the world “understanding the importance of religion.” Communicating that: “science, as a means to become closer to God, is not separate from religion.” Developing curricula “distinctly suited to girls, commensurate with the nature of their God-given duty in society.” Understanding that “not all teaching methods appropriate for male students are appropriate for female students.” Teaching girls “their special role in society through specialized teaching methods that cater to their special nature.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/YhYXS Tags: Education, featured, Islam, Nour, Salafi Section: Culture, Egypt, Latest News, Op-ed, Religion
