Character building

LAUNCHING “CHARACTER EDUCATION” AS A SEPARATE SUBJECT FOR MUSLIM INSTITUTIONS, ISLAMIC COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES, HOME-SCHOOLING AND ONLINE-TEACHING

The programme has been initiated to convey ethics to children pedagogically and effectively. This is an approach that is either neglected, inadequately applied or, let us say, in great need of more attention in most Muslim communities of the day.

The curriculum aims to provide the modern Muslim world with a comprehensive ethical programme that enlightens and boosts children’s values while they grow up. Character Building is a complementary subject taught alongside traditional courses. An educational setting that can equip them with moral, emotional, and social skills to develop into the best version of themselves. Simultaneously, they are taught necessary attitudes and qualities such as: self-awareness, empathy, self-control, moral reasoning, self-reflection, problem-solving and self-regulation of behaviour that minimises wrong and destructive choices and encourages treating others righteously. These “personal tools” and skill sets will strengthen their character and lay the foundation for becoming more enlightened, God-conscious, God-fearing, and righteous human beings, which will help them succeed in the test of life.

With almost no homework and no grading but lots of stories, interactive communication, playing, untraditional activities and exercises, all presented with a touch of entertainment, we hope this will become one of the children’s favourite subjects.

The approach of this Course, should InShā Allah, be a turning point in the educational traditions of religious education for Muslim communities all over the world. All types of:

Stories
Real events
Stories
Role-playing
Creative and involving pedagogical activities and exercises through dynamic teaching Involving questions
Training forums of problem-solving and mediation
Methods of positive reinforcement (which is in line with the teaching of Islam)
Skill training techniques and strategies
Motivational self-reading
Humour and jokes with a point
Skill training techniques and strategies
Motivational self-reading
Appropriate use of quotations and sayings
Delicately placed Quranic verses and Hadiths

– have all been compounded in an attempt to involve, motivate and develop the pupils mindsets.

What is the use of worldly education if our children do not develop into good human beings? This is a subject where the child’s Muslim identity is strengthened from the roots but delicately and positively.

Learned educationists have said that this complete ethical grooming programme might be one of the first serious international attempts at Integrated Character Education for Muslims in modern times. A need which has been left unaddressed for too long but is now finally available. It is my sincere wish and prayer that this syllabus may inspire teachers, educators, and parents to reach out to children and teenagers with ethics conveyed through more creative and motivational teaching styles. Approaches of teaching that go hand in hand with:

- The psychology of the child.

- Methods that motivate and boost children’s moral character in a natural rather than imposing manner, and are constructive as well as effective in the long term.

May this effort, by the grace of Allah, begin a trend of teaching ethics based on Islamic values and pedagogical teaching methods. Ameen.

While this is one step towards progress, we all have to support each other in this mission by enhancing those values we want our children to live by in practical life.