| Fadley Faisal |
THE State Mufti has suggested creating a special period for prayer at schools in the Sultanate.
Delivering a dawn lecture at Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim Mosque in Kampong Luagan Duduk, Tutong yesterday, the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned also called for implementation of a separate syllabus to build a healthy soul.
“If sports, painting and music have allocated periods at school, why can’t there be a period for prayer? Which is more important – sports, painting, music, or prayer?” the State Mufti asked.
According to the State Mufti, children have two needs; the first being physical needs such as food, clothing, entertainment and others; and secondly spiritual needs of care and education.
“A teacher’s mission is not just to teach, he must serve as a mentor. It is crucial for teachers to show a noble character and set good examples like praying in front of students; he should be a prayer leader for the students.
“Hence, it is important that there should be a period for midday prayer at schools, in order for the teachers to show their leadership to the students.Here lies the importance of the role of teachers as care-givers and educators.
“There should also be a syllabus to build a healthy spirit. We need knowledge of English, science, mathematics, physics, but keep in mind that the knowledge of language, mathematics and science alone cannot build a life.
“Religious education must be mandatory. Only through religious education that a soul filled with faith could be built,” the State Mufti said.
“Praise to Allah the Almighty, we can breathe a sigh of relief, because in Brunei we now have a system and a mandatory religious education policy. It should not be rejected.”
Rejecting this, he said, is same as rejecting Allah the Almighty’s blessings.
It is a sensitive period we are living in and everyone has to take care, especially in their actions and conversations, the State Mufti noted.
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