IPOH: Islamisation of knowledge should start in the classroom, said the Islamic Online University founder and chancellor Dr Bilal Philip.
“However, this doesn’t mean that the classroom, be it in school or university, should be turned into an Islamic studies class. We can introduce elements of Islam so that students are constantly in touch with sources of Islam, including the Quran, which is relevant.
“This is similarly in hadith, ethics, and instructions by Prophet Muhammad, like not sleeping on our stomach, which is bad for our health.
“Secular teachings had brought morality out of the classroom and we need to bring it back. This is a challenge for the leadership of future.
“When teachers and lecturers prepare for lessons, they need to identify methods on how this could be presented in a Muslim perspective,” he said during the Young Generation and Leadership session at the 3rd World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation 2016 here yesterday.
Another speaker, World Assembly of Youth (WAY) secretary-general Ediola Pashollari said youth were an integral and pertinent part of a society and described it as a force of today and tomorrow.
She said leaders should possess skills and traits, including being focused, confident, displaying integrity, inspiration, patience and innovation.
“At WAY, we provide training and nurture skills that will help youth to become better leaders through adventures, cultural exchange and youth-related service,” she said.
The third speaker, Asian Youth Council vice-president Dr Ali Mohammed Mansoor Alsahag, shared his experience working with youth for 10 years, including challenges and how they could be overcome.
“The most important thing when we talk about youth leadership is that they seek answers and have passion to protect their future.
“We (the organisation) seek how we can guide the professionals for a sustainable future.
“We can't build the future, but we can build our youth (and prepare them) for the future,” he said.