THE new “Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith” module, which is set to be introduced in public schools next year is specifically for Muslim students, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying said.

She said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had explained this during a post-cabinet meeting yesterday.

“This course only involves Muslim teachers and students. For Chinese and Tamil schools, only Muslim students need attend and not non-Muslim students. This is very clear.

“The minister has openly and clearly stated this to the deputy minister, secretary-general, heads of various departments, and others present at the post-cabinet meeting,” Lim was quoted as saying in Sin Chew Daily today.

Fadhlina launched the “Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith” appreciation module on August 18, aimed at fostering the values of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings or “hadith” at the school level.

The module will be introduced in national religious secondary schools and government-funded religious schools before it is rolled out in public schools.

The module was developed upon the recommendation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who wanted the hadith to be taught in schools.

At the time of the announcement, it was not clear if non-Muslim students also must study the new module.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism expressed its deep concern over the possibility that non-Muslim students would have to learn the module as well.

The group said the government and education minister must be guided by the Federal Constitution and not allow religion to influence education policy. – August 24, 2023.