TEACHING OF ISLAM, ARABIC CATALYST TO BUILDING COMMUNITIES

NILAI (Malaysia), June 24 (Bernama) -- The teaching of Islam and Arabic
catalyses the building of communities in the nation and abroad, Deputy Minister
in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said Wednesday.

She said this when speaking at a national seminar themed, 'Islamic Studies
Generate Intellect Among Muslim Community 2010' here.

On challenges faced by Muslims in South-East Asia, she said they required
understanding and knowledge on current issues regarding Islamic Studies, Arabic
and English.

"I am sure the seminar will open their mind to discuss issues in a wider
context, which will help to standardise and strengthen the local education
system," she said, hoping they would also reach a resolution to help the
government professionalise ulamas.

Mashitah said among other objectives of organising the seminar was to determine
the direction of the teaching of Islamic Studies, Arabic and English which
needed to be stepped up to ensure Muslims were not swept away by changes in the
modern world.

About 80 presenters from local public and private varsities took part in the
three-day seminar organised by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Islamic Science
University, Malaysia), with assistance from the Malaysian Examination Board and
the education ministry's Islamic studies division.
-- BERNAMA