The methodology of religious education in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

In this thesis Islamic teaching methodology in the UAE has been examined in relation to Islamic ideology, the Qur'an and Muhammad's (pbuh) teaching methods, and in accordance with the social aims in the UAE. The aim of the investigation and the methodology used are outlined in Chapter I. Chapters II and III consider the nature and process of Islamic education as derived from the Islamic world view. They also try to demonstrate that the content of religious education is derived from the Holy Qur'an; the accepted model of the religious education teacher is derived from the personality and character of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); and that the methods of religious education are derived from, and legitimated by, his practice. Chapter IV attempts to show how the scope and purpose of religious education is derived from the concept of community (Ummah) and the Islamic way of life (Shariah).These crucial features of Islam have implications for education and methodology. The Islamic subject teacher is expected to teach for a community larger than the classroom and for a way of life larger than the intellect or schooling. Detailed discussion of the teacher’s role is given in Chapter IV, while Islamic teaching methodology in the UAE is examined in Chapter V. Chapter VI discusses the relation between what is seen in the Emirates at the period of study and Islamic ideology and the methodologies of the Qur'an and Muhammad (pbuh). It examines methodologies in accordance with social aims in the UAE. The same chapter explores the conclusions and recommendations harvested from this work.