Inter-religious Elements in Pendidikan Islam KSSM for The Future of Islamic Religious Education in Malaysia

Abstract

The escalating tensions among students of diverse religions, races and ethnicities in educational settings highlight the pressing need for enhanced inter-religious understanding and communication. This lack of comprehension often leads to conflicts, biases, and misunderstandings, underscoring the importance of fostering connections based on respect, justice and peace. While inter-religious education has made strides in various continents like Europe, Australia and Africa, there remains a gap in its implementation in places such as Malaysia, a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country. This study delves into the incorporation of interreligious elements into the Islamic religious education curriculum in Malaysia, aiming to bridge the gap and promote inclusivity. Two primary methods are employed through the use of a qualitative approach. The first way involves conducting a document analysis, which entails examining various types of documents such as textbooks, curriculum standards, official government papers and research publications. The initial method’s findings will be corroborated through a semi-structured interview conducted with educators and experts. This study elucidates the underlying and unspoken aspects of inter-religious debates inside the curriculum. The findings underscore the necessity for a formal integration of inter-religious education to enrich the future of Islamic religious education in Malaysia, paving the way for a more inclusive and harmonious educational landscape.