Islamists and Education in the Arab World

In an article on the Carnegie International Foundation's website Muhammad Faour argues that it is too soon to tell what kind of impact Islamists will have on Arab education systems. Acknowledging the importance of not lumping together all Arab states when looking at these issues, he reflects on Islamists’ ideals, modern methods of instruction, and professed dedication to democratic principles.

He points out that eduction is an important idealogical target for any political movement.The main islamist parties have not made statements yet on their intentions in the educational sphere and the reforms they bring in may not be influenced by the religious factor, ambiguity remains especially when dealing with state policy on education. They would have to reform the consitution relating to education. Islam and its values are already in cluded in the teaching process in Egypt, in Tunisia which has more of a secular history  and islamic education is only offered in public schools. However in the case of Turkey recently the world witnessed members of parliament coming to blows over a debate on education. Christians and other minorities and secular groups  fear that despite the statements by senior figures in the moderate islamic parties in power there is a greater
possibility  of an intensification of islamification in education and society in general and this is a very sensitive issue.In Tunisia some private schools have experimented with an increased emphasis on islamic norms and values. They may try to influence teacher training courses and extracurricula activities that reinforce Islamic culture in the schools.

It is important he says not to lump all countries that have islamist parties in power,specifically Morocco, Tunisia,Egypt and Libya. The previous regimes were vastly different from each other.With the liberation of freedom of expression brought on by Arab Spring changes islamic parties are now free to demand enforcement of strict islam especially in regard to women's dress  asis still happening at Manouba University in Tunisia. These countries in North Africa differ from one another on the social and cultural levels, both in
terms of their educational systems and their students' educational accomplishments. 

Under the previous regimes there was always a religious component , In Mubarak's Egypt Muslims studied under islamic teachers and Christians were allowed to sudy intheir reliou environment and receive religious instruction in their faith.Egyptian students are familiar with islam through Arab language training and history.n government-run schools in Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya, the subject of Islamic education is taught to students,
though the specific content differs from country to country. Still, most subjects are taught from the Islamic perspective alone, as in the case of Egypt.The religious curricula  in Arab countries emphasises the teaching
of islam from the majority sunni point of view and minority alternative visions of islam are not considered. This does not contribute to mutual understanding between faiths and a spirit of tolerance or cultural pluralism.

However Al Azhar Mosque in Cairo, the centre of Sunni islamic scholarship s now working with Coptic churches and representatives from various political and intellectual movements to prepare a new syllabus that addresses the monotheistic religions’ shared values. This may,if instituted serve as a model for the region.Islamists regard their religion as the key to the Arab people defining all aspects of their lives.This should not be accompanied by forcing non muslims to convert or being made to feel foreigners in their own countries.

Islamist governments have promised the equality of citizenship but as with Turkey nonmuslims and secular parties fear that islamic fundamentalism may affect their lives and freedoms.There is nothing more sensitive than the education of one's children.   
 
They fear that the islamist parties will change the agenda and become less tolerant ignoring personal freedoms. If the islamist parties keep to their word they will win the confidence of their minorities and have created a civil state.