Committee agrees to make Islamic Studies mandatory in grades 1 through 12

Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament has decided to amend the Religious Unity Act to make it mandatory for Islamic Studies to be taught through grades 1 to 12 in both private and public schools across the country.

The amendment bill, proposed by the late Ungoofaaru MP Dr Afrasheem Ali who was brutally murdered in October 2012, was passed unanimously by the committee and will soon be presented to the parliament floor.

The bill also mandates the Ministry of Education to mould the Islamic Studies curriculum to focus on reducing sectarian divisions within younger generations.

It also requires all local Islam teachers to hold higher education certificates from Islamic universities approved by the Maldives Qualification Authority and foreign teachers to be of the Sunni sect of Islam.

Furthermore, the bill requires clearance from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs before foreign nationals can be hired for religious events and Ministry approval must also be sought before accepting religious gifts.