About Islamic Studies for Children in Dubai | ExpatWoman.com
 

About Islamic Studies for Children in Dubai

As an expat parent, you might be wondering if your child is required to take the subject, so we've had a look at whether it is

Posted on

6 July 2016

Last updated on 15 September 2019
About Islamic Studies for Children in Dubai

About Islamic Studies for Children in Dubai

Is it mandatory for your child to take Islamic Studies in school? We get to the bottom of it...

It's a question we often see frequently on our bustling information forum, as mums of Dubai are unsure about a school's curriculum. You see, Islamic Studies is a well-developed class that is a part of the UAE's local curriculum.

With exciting lessons about the basics of Islam, many new expats are wondering if their child(ren) are required to take part in this class, even if they are not Muslim.

Although private schools offer both Arabic and Islamic Studies in their curriculums, as per the Ministry of Education, it is only required that students attend Arabic classes up to a certain year, while the Islamic Studies class is optional to non-Muslims.

The Islamic Studies teacher must be approved by the Federal Ministry of Education prior to being accepted to teach the course in private schools. The goals of Islamic Studies is to give Muslim students the opportunity to learn and understand their religion and its practices.

The studies look at important religious events such as Hajj, Eid Al Adha, Eid Al Fitr, Ramadan and more, while helping to develop awareness on moral issues in life experiences and awareness of one's self.

Additionally, the study teaches the importance of being committed to religious traditions and understanding Islam, amongst the other major world religions.

It is said that the Islamic Studies class is meant to make students more aware of their behaviour, and appreciate and respect the cultural differences in the UAE, while being able to make reasonable judgments about moral and religious issues.

The standard Islamic Studies course covers the following areas of study...

Islamic Doctrin

Students are taught about the 6 unseen articles of Islam:

  • Belief in Allah
  • Belief in His angels
  • Belief in the prophets
  • Belief in His books
  • Belief in the day of judgement
  • Belief in the Divine Destiny

Worship and Dealings

Students are taught the five pillars of Islam:

  • Shahada:The declaration that 'there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet' 
  • Salat:The 5 standard prayers of Islam
  • Zakat:Donating money to the needy or to charity
  • Sawm:Fasting Ramadan (if physically able to)
  • Hajj:Pilgrimage to Mecca (if physically and financially able)

Once this has been taught, students learn to pray and practice Islam in school by offering prayer rooms and workshops to teach adequate prayer times.

Islamic History

The story of how Islam was formed and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is taught to students, along with the few decades that passed after his death. Students are also given the chance to understand the different important figures of Islamic history, and the great caliphs of Islam:

  • Abu Bakr
  • Umar
  • Uthman
  • Ali

The Holy Quran and Science

Students learn to recite the Holy Quran, with an in-depth understanding of the words writting in the Quran. They are also taught several important points in the Quran, which can be adapted in their every day lives.

Manners and Morals

Students are taught about the Islamic code of morals, manners, and ethics:

  • Respect to teachers, elders, and parents
  • Cleanliness, eating habits, and etiquettes
  • Respect to people of other religions
  • Forbidden food and drinks
 
 

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