Islamic Sharia
has concerned itself with many aspects of life ; its
teachings include sound directives that call upon the human
being to adopt modes of straight conduct which achieves
security, stability, prosperity and happiness for him, his
family and society. It has therefore urged the Muslim to
marry so as to shield himself against the evils of deviation
and diseases, to build a family on the basis of kindness,
mercy, love and cooperation, to raise children well, and to
teach them matters related to their religion and to life in
general. Islamic Sharia has also called for equity, justice
and equality, thus asserting human dignity for all without
exception, for Allah, be He exalted says : “O mankind ! We
created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and
made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each
other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most
honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most
righteous of you”.
In this vital
field, the tolerant Islamic teachings aim to protect human
existence, at the levels of health, society, and values,
from corruption and deviation from fitra (the innate
character). This protection of human existence is known
today as reproductive health and social gender issues that
were the focus of many international population conferences
which called for the incorporation of these issues in the
formal and non-formal educational system, and their
incorporation in information, education, cultural and
communication programs.
On this basis,
the concept of reproductive health and social gender has
sparked the interest of Arab-Islamic countries. This
interest grew even stronger in the aftermath of the
“Population, Reproductive Health, and Social Gender
Conference” convened in Cairo in 1998 and which underscored
the principle of equal opportunity between males and females
in terms of education, health and job opportunities.
Accordingly, the
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO),
in its capacity as the organization specializing in the
fields of education, science and culture in the Islamic
world, has sought to underline the Islamic vision of many
population issues, namely reproductive health and social
gender issues. It has taken special interest in modern
education concepts to which it has devoted numerous
activities, such as regional meetings and workshops,
training sessions and the publication of guidebooks.
This Guide,
which ISESCO is putting forth and which it compiled in
cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund,
represents a great leap on the road to incorporating
reproductive health and social gender in Islamic Education
curriculum, considering that they constitute the teaching
materials which most carry the population concepts.
This guide,
which is the outcome of the efforts of workshops that were
held in Cairo and Rabat, and in which experts from ISESCO
Arab member states participated, seeks to help educators and
Islamic Education curriculum builders to clearly understand
the meanings of these two new educational concepts and to
gradually incorporate their contents in the Islamic
Education curriculum in a way that is compatible with the
needs of the groups targeted by these concepts. These age
groups are 6-12 and 13-19 of the formal education students.
If the Islamic
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization does not
view this Guide as a final outcome, given the fact that, as
a first initiative, it is subject to improvement and
enrichment, the Islamic Organization will, God willing,
distribute this Guide, through its forthcoming work plan for
2004-2006, to the competent authorities in the member states
to benefit from their opinions and suggestions. The Islamic
Organization will also hold workshops and training sessions
for teachers, school supervisors, and technicians
specializing in the subject of Islamic Education to
familiarize them with its content and to perfect it.
May Allah guide
us to that which is good for our Islamic Ummah and the whole
of humanity.
Dr. Abdulaziz Othman
Altwaijri
Director General
Islamic Educational,
Scientific and
Cultural Organization -ISESCO-
