AN interfaith group has expressed concern over the introduction of the Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith module in national schools, calling it unconstitutional.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said there is no provision in the Federal Constitution to allow such teachings in national schools.

Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, which states that “Islam is the religion of the Federation”, refers only to Islamic rituals and ceremonies, the council said in a statement today.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek launched the Imam Al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith appreciation module last week with the aim of fostering the values of the Prophet Muhammad in schoolchildren.

She said the module will be taught at national religious secondary schools and government-aided religious schools before it is introduced in all government schools next year.

The ministry’s Islamic education division senior deputy director Omar Salleh said the module was developed in line with the recommendations of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who wished to republish the collection of hadith for distribution in schools nationwide.

Omar said this was to ensure that appreciation of the hadith began early. Such teachings are also expected to foster love and deepen religious understanding, especially among Muslim students.

MCCBCHST today said it is unconstitutional to teach the hadith in national schools because the Federal Constitution states that “no person shall be required to receive instruction in or take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own”.

“Constitutional provision protects persons including students from taking instruction in any religion other than their own,” it said.

The council appealed to the government and the education minister to be guided by the Federal Constitution.

“Malaysians are already clamouring for the standard of education in school to be improved,” it said.

Instead of looking into this, it said, the ministry wishes to introduce hadith teachings in national schools.

National schools have no place for “divisive policies”, the group said

The council urged the Education Ministry to consult the stakeholders on the matter.

Unilateral enforcement of the module could invite legal challenges, it added. – August 23, 2023.