Could you tell us a little bit about ISESCO? What exactly is the organization about?
Answer
ISESCO is a specialized organization working within the framework of the organization of the Islamic conference. It was established in 1982 and its headquarters is in Rabat in the Kingdom of Morocco. It serves the member states as a house of expertise in the fields of education, science and culture and participates in the enhancement of the development in those memberstates. The membership now totals 45 member states and there are over 100 cooperation agreements that link ISESCO with various international Islamic and non-governmental organizations all over the world.
Name
ahmad
- Afghanistan
Profession
teacher
Question
Mass literacy is an important feature of modern society. However, it may not have a link with enlightenment. If it were so, the whole Western world that is so "literate" would be truly enlightened and not engage in the dastardly acts on a daily basis against those who are often innocent. Mass literacy also makes the society more prone to absorbing propaganda. How do you propose a solution for that dilemma? Aren't Muslims better off not running after literacy as a good in itself?
Answer
Learning is an Islamic duty. The first revealed ayat in the Qur'an was "Iqra" and the Qur'an emphasizes learning and puts the learned Muslims in a higher rank. Therefore, it is a must that we eradicate illiteracy and educate the masses so that they can participate positively in the construction of their society and carrying out the message of Islam, which is tolerance, knowledge and guidance to all humanity.
Name
Esam
- Canada
Profession
Professor
Question
We are facing here in Canada the question of educating our children. How do you see the solution for us, should we send them to the public schools or find another solution?
Answer
If there are good Islamic schools in your community that provide good education which enables them to acquire knowledge and lead the way in a very honorable manner, then this is the best choice. But, if this kind of education is not available in your community, then they should go the the public schools and you have to help them learn the Islamic ethics and values and the Arabic language and keep them updated with what will help them grow upright and become useful elements for their society and the ummah at large.
Name
SÜLEYMAN
- Turkey
Profession
EDITOR
Question
There are great differances between Western & Islamic worldviews. What can you offer us about education of young muslims in a materialistic worl?
Answer
The most important thing that you should guard for your children is their 'Aqeedah and after that the morals of Islam. If the children are brought up in the house according to the teachings of Islam in this respect, with continuous guidance from their parents, then they will be, Insha Allah, immune from being influenced by the materialistic elements within the community that they live in. As long as you are citizens of the western countries, then you have to bear the hardships of what may come from that. It is important that you get the best of what you can from collaborating with your fellow Muslims and the Islamic institutions in your area.
Name
Lamya
- United States
Profession
Researcher
Question
In our community, we hear alot about Islamic education for our kids, but I didn't see anything serious. Can you give me a view on the Islamic education?
Answer
Islamic education is that which provides the learner with the understanding of God, the Prophet, the Islamic duties and the ISalmic ethics and which, in the final analysis, make of the individual an upright human being who helps himself and others.
The other disciplines of learning can be acquired in any school. For example, science is a discipline that can be learned in any school, but how to use science and put it for the service of humanity is a matter of difference between one culture and the next.
Name
richard
- France
Profession
engineer
Question
Does Islam accept the theory of evolutionism (ie man evolving slowly from more apish forms)?
Does Islam accept the big bang theory and the fact that the world was created +/- 4 billions years ago, with man coming quite late (after most animals)?
Answer
The darwinist theory is not a complete fact, but nevertheless, Islam believes in the evolution of the creation in different forms. Islam also believes that the universe was created in a very sophisticated manner and that there is nothing in Islam that contradicts the proven facts of science.
Name
haroon al-jabal
- Bahamas
Profession
Shipping expert
Question
How do you suggest that Muslims should promote student exchange programs within the Muslim world?
Answer
It is very important that the educational istitutions in the Muslim world allow exchange of students, which will help in appraising them with the needed knowledge that they will need about different societies throughout the Muslim world and to gain expertise and acquire skills in different disciplines.
In ISESCO, we have a program of exchange students and also a program for scholarships, which provide different students with the opportunity to join various schools anf universities in the Muslim world and pursue their different levels of studies.
Name
Samira
-
Profession
School Teacher
Question
Does your organization serve the muslim minorities around the world or its scope of work limited only to the Muslim world? Thank you
Answer
In our plan of action, we have programs for the Muslim minorities which provide training sessions for teachers, holding seminars and symposiums and granting scholarships for students. Also, ISESCO helps the cultural and educational institutions in the minority communities in order to help improve their performance and activities which are dedicated towards the benefit of the Muslims in those areas. It also holds coordinating meetings for them to discuss their common obstacles and to share their expertise and knowledge with one another.
Name
Terry Johnson
-
Profession
Question
Could you help me understand the Moslim culture when it comes to a universal undersatnding of Humanity as a whole..It seems to me that there is alittle bit of nerrow mindedness and some form of selffishness in that culture..is this due to cultural, educational or the teachings of Koran?
Answer
Islam is a univarsal religion and this gives it a wider scope that has no ethinic or geographical limits. If some Muslims are close-minded and selfish, it is their own problem. We find similar cases in the different religions that span the globe. But the Qur'an never teaches selfishness or close-mindedness. To the contrary, it teaches tolerance, understand and behaving with all people in the best manner.
Name
Abdul Rahman
- Indonesia
Profession
professor
Question
Tell as about your views as well as the work of your organization regarding Distant learning? Do you plan to offer courses online for students graduate and undergrad.?
Answer
There is a net for distance learning being created within the Arab League. ISESCO will participate in that net and I hope in the near future, you will be able to site that position and find what satisfies your needs in it.
Name
Malik
- United States
Profession
Producer
Question
We know the importance of the media and the arts in the human civilizations, particularly nowadays Television and Film production. Muslims are need of such mediums but the problem is that there is no scholarships or plan to form Muslims in that field. My question is, does your organization have such plan for the near future?
Answer
Actually, there are many opportunities in these fields within many Muslim countries and ISESCO provides opportunities for young Muslims to pursue their studies in these fields and also provides certain programs that supports television and film production in various countries. We would be very pleased to provide you with further information if you would write to ISESCO. The address is:
P.O. Box 2275 Rabat P.C. 10104
Morocco
Name
Fatima
- Lebanon
Profession
Question
Could you tell us a little bit about the state of education in the Muslim world?
Answer
The issue of education in the Muslim world is improving. Now, there are many institutions and universities all over the Muslim world. However, there are still some obstacles that hinder the rapid progress in some countries due to lack of sufficient funds and social constraints. ISESCO is doing its best to coordinate the efforts of the member states and to provide assistance for improvement for the level and quality of education in all disciplines.
Name
Maysarah
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
1. In one word, how do evaluate the education system in the Muslim world?
2. How your organization is participating in implementing new education methods and contents?
Answer
1. Acceptable.
2. Through training sessions and seminars as well as funding educational research and providing scholarships for students and revising the curriculum in order to enrich it with modern methods of teaching and continuous development of knowledge.
Name
Bassel
- Egypt
Profession
Associate Prof. , Engineering
Question
Last week khotba, I went in discussion with the khateeb regarding the aya of surat Al-tawba "Fight those next to you from the kuffar and deal with them harshly". The khateeb told me that I did not understand the meaning of the aya and what it means by "harshly". I never got his point of view as he left without answering. Is there a hidden meaning in this aya?
Answer
This ayah was revealed to the Prophet during the hardship inflicted upon the Muslims by the Mushrikeen of Mecca. It is an order from Allah to the Prophet and the Muslims to defend themselves against the aggression of the Mushrikeen and even if they become so harsh in repulsing their aggression. That's the context of the ayat historically and in the context of its meaning.
Name
Ahmed
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
How do blend the traditional ways of education with the new ones spcially the Internet?
Answer
Those who afford the modern ways of learning (such as the Internet) are apt to use it properly. However, those who don't should stick to their methods and try to improve them as much as they can. In societies that have both, modern methods should be used as auxiliary or supportive means to enhance and improve the educational process.
Name
Dr. Moranti
- United States
Profession
Question
I am very concern with the state Of R&D (Research and Development) in the Muslim world While there are few muslim coyntries developed somehow the rest are still the same?
Answer
The problem is that those countries do not spend on scientific and educational research enough. The (United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) has advised that the minimum percent to be spent on scientific research be 1% of the GNP. Because those countries do not reach this percentage, their educational system is not improving rapidly. Therefore, ISESCO is trying to transfer knowledge and research of those well-to-do countries to those needy countries as part of their duty in supporting Islamic solidarity.
Name
Fareed
- Germany
Profession
Question
Tell us a bout the positive role Globalization may play in the promotion of Science and Education? That is if you see any positive role if not please elaborate on your views.
Answer
If globalization is used for transmitting knowledge and promoting science and education throughout the world, then it will be a blessing for humanity. However, if it is used to shape up the world in a certain form and dictate to the communities of the world on how to be and what kind of values it can have, then it will be destructive to the fabric of humanity.
We should, as intellectuals and educationists, make use of these means of technology in order to help one another and make sure that the world lives in peace and harmony and that science is put to the service of these noble goals and not to create chaos and disparity in the world.
Name
Tony
- Italy
Profession
Student
Question
I am a new muslim do you have any porgams in Italian language?
Answer
Currently, we do not. However, we do have connections with Islamic institutions in Italy that can provide you with what you need. So please write to us and we would be very pleased to help you. Check one of the answers already posted to get the address of ISESCO if you don't already have it.
Name
Ismail
- Japan
Profession
Question
I do some work with UNISCO, do you have any coordination and cooperation with the UN?
Answer
Yes, we have cooperation agreements with UNISCO and many other UN agencies with which we implement joint programs and activities all over the world.
Name
Hamed
- United States
Profession
Question
Are planning to hold any sminars or workshops in the US any time soon? If not would you consider that in future? We need expertise.
Answer
There will be some seminars and training sessions organized in the United States in collaboration with IIIT and SISS this year and in the coming years of 2001 and 2002. I hope these activities will provide an opportunity for you and many other concerned people in the United States to benefit from.
