Contemplative Thoughts of an Asian Seminarian
Abstract
This humble book is about the learning journey of a seminarian when he received God's call to serve, where he related his humble views on denominations, contemplation, early Christian thought, systematic theology, charismas, sacraments, discipleship, syncretism, and how to minister in the East, drawing inspiration from Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci and Trappist monk Thomas Merton, as well as the early Church Fathers.
Qawmi Madrasa is one of the biggest areas of education in Bangladesh. All about two
millions students have been studying in fourteen thousands madrasas across the
country. This education system and institutions are totally established, managed,
financed and patronized by local community. They have traditional syllabus,
curriculum, teaching guideline on the basis of philosophy of Darul ulum Dewbond
(the Highest and first of Qawmi madrasa which is situated in India). It is basically
developed emphasizing on the holy Quran and Hadith ignoring worldly knowledge
and modern life. On other hand they have no common platform and unity to move
ahead rather they are divided into many groups and parties. A great number of
people are engaged with this sector and the graduates from this education work
generally as an Imam of mosque or madrasah teacher. Saying they are segregated
from worldly matter though they can have role in society. On the other hand,
recently Qawmi Madrasah based party Hefazat-E-Islam is playing role strongly as a
pressure group to determine national policies and empower a party in Bangladesh
politics. The Cabinet of Government Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh on August 13,
2018 approved in principle the draft of a bill framed to recognize Dawrae Hadith
(Takmil) Certificate in Qawmi Madrasah with the equivalence of post-graduate
degree of Islamic Studies and Arabic. It is a good policy of government to adjust this
group with social main stream. The study aims to analyze the problems,
controversies and challenges related to the recognition of Qwami madrasa degree.
Modernizing and main streaming of an education sector is a tough job for a state by
examines the objectives, the historical background, present status, challenges and
future prospects. Qawmi Madrasa is one of the big factor of making education and
development policy to build a unite nation in Bangladesh. This type of education is
given in different countries by different name but mainly emphasized on the holy
Quran, Hadith and Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) but western world thinks that it
produces Islamic extremists like Pakistan, Afghanistan and different parts of the
* Ph.D Candidate, Educational Administration and Supervision, Gazi University, Ankara,
Turkey, E-mail: mrislam.ierdu@gmail.com
Muslim territories. Meantime, the cabinet of Government Peoples' Republic of
Bangladesh of ruling party approved a bill and has taken a historical decision to
recognize Dawra-e Hadith (Takmil) Certificate with the equivalence of university
degree as their political policy. This is first ever recognition by any government in
the sub-continent without preparation revealed observations and findings where
have crucial controversies and challenges related to the recognition.
The aim of this study is to explore the controversies, to identify the challenges of
adapting masters equivalency and to determine the way out of modernizing Qawmi
madrasa education in Bangladesh. So the study has been conducted by qualitative
approach based on both primary and secondary information. Built on a robust
content analysis and literature reviews, researcher tried to explore the background
of the recognition by government. To develop a more pragmatic conclusion,
qualitative data were collected through FGDs (Focus Group Discussions) from
students, in depth interview of the Qwami madrasa principals and teachers, the
national academicians and academic experts of the government.
The recognition claimed vast controversies among the academicians on the
government decision without improving the syllabus and curriculum and all kinds of
infrastructures of these institutions perspective contemporary demands.
Stakeholders of these institutions are divided in two groups in some suspects such
recognition and they claimed it is a part of the politics by party in power is to win in
the election again. It is a big deal for government to make main streaming by
replacing the root of philosophy of this education. Budget and financing is another
immense factor to adapt with general education. Moreover, the implications of such
recognition for the graduates from Qwami madras are diversified with major
challenges come from their counterparts in the job market. Most of the Qawmi
teaachers and students think that there will be no hope of continuing Islamic
education in our society if government interferes to make so called modern this
education. Other group who are believes in adapt both Islamic and modern
education thinks that it is a tremendous decision by authority to move us every
stage of modern society.
Moreover, this education system is isolated from main stream of education but not
segregated from our society; so this sector from bottom to up can be standard by
proper development of syllabus, curriculum, infrastructure and administration
comparing the national and international perspectives; and it is demand of time.
Findings of this study will show us the way of modernizing and adapting this
education system in our society.
Keywords: Masters Equivalency, Qawmi Madrasa Education, Bangladesh,
Mainstreaming the madrasa education, Modernization.
Written by a preeminent religious historian, this book provides an introduction to early Christian thought. Focusing on major figures such as St. Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa, as well as a host of less well-known thinkers, Robert Wilken chronicles the emergence of a specifically Christian intellectual tradition.
China is the most exciting rising power in the world today. The fact that China may be the next superpower attracts endless interest from all quarters--yet China is still utterly inscrutable to most outsiders. In The Dragon and the Foreign Devils Harry Gelber illuminates China's present by looking at the broad sweep of foreign relations in its past. From the incursions by the steppe horsemen and the Mongol conquests to the first arrival of European travelers, foreign fascination with China has followed certain patterns: curiosity, admiration, and greed for trade or territory. But, as China gradually rises from the turbulence in the wake of Mao Zedong to the economic growth and political stability of the twenty-first century, the dynamic between East and West has slowly shifted. Essential reading for anyone interested in China and its evolving relations with foreigners, The Dragon and the Foreign Devils breaks down the walls between East and West and shines a light on the recurring cycles of Chinese history.
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Index
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