Divided on imam training – Aftonbladet

Education. Sweden’s first public university education in Islamic theology and leadership starts in the fall.

the initiative is welcomed from several directions, but critics believe it can be difficult to make education universal for all the country’s Muslim communities.

Abdulkader Habib, President of Kista Folk High School, which is located behind the study, says it is important for several reasons, not least to create meetings between various Islamic congregations.

– But above all there is the need of the congregation, with everything from counseling to guidance and training – for all this need people with the skills, you can not select the first best.

“It’s complicated”

to establish a higher education in Islam has been debated and investigated earlier. Someone higher formal denominational education does not exist in Sweden today.

– To have imams who were born and bred here in Sweden and who speaks brytningsfri Swedish, it is the best way to have role models for the students, says Hüseyin Ayata which is active in the Islamic Cultural Union in Sweden engaged in Sunni-oriented kora school.

But he is also doubtful how an imam training should be designed so that it is universal for all Muslim religious communities.

– It’s complicated. If someone goes to the training, who wants to hire them? It is the same problem as with the churches. Everyone has to start his own imam training, says Hüseyin Ayata.

Bejzat Becirov, president of the Islamic Center in Malmö, agree with the criticism and says that it might be difficult to keep a general imam education free from sectarianism.

“Get relevant options”

elsewhere seen Kista folk High School Islam program as a good development.

“It is a step forward,” writes Malmöimamen Salahuddin Barakat said.

“It is about getting an Islamic education which is locally based in order to address the local conditions and give students the skills to do the same. it is especially important for women who often find it difficult to study Islam abroad, “continues Salahuddin Barakat.

But not even the headmaster Abdulkader Habib believes that education, which is basically a Sunni orientation but which is also open to those with Shiite background, will appeal to all faiths within Islam.

– no, I do not think the. I must be honest. But the advantage is that we are a free institution that does not belong to any ethnic group or school.

FACTS

training

The one-year program must provide a basis in Islamic theology and leadership for those who want to continue their education to the spiritual leaders of Islam.

the training in Islamic theology and leadership caters to both women and men. You must not be a Muslim to search for the program, which is part of a 2-4-year elementary education.

The program is funded with public education grant, government grants annually allocated to the country high schools.

Source: Kista Folk High School

May 22, 2016 16:10