Ukraine Hosts Int'l Conference on Islamic Education

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) -  Ukraine has hosted an International conference on Islamic Education in South East Europe. They put emphasis on the secular societies where Islam has been an integral part. The conference focused on Islamic education in Europe that places strict emphasis on intercultural and interreligious learning.

Islam has a rich, deep history throughout all Europe; therefore Islamic scientists stress the need on establishing Islamic religious education in secular societies. Participants from 22 countries of the third International conference on Islamic Education in South East Europe admit while some in Europe keep on parallelizing Islam with immigration issues.

Many countries though are establishing institutions and facilities for higher education to train Imams and teachers. Such progress is observed in Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

However, many Asian post-soviet countries believe in the seperation of State and religion. But, central Asian Kyrgyzstan has established several Governmental universities in order to mature Muslim identity.

Islamic scientists say, due to a significant increase in the Muslim population, Ukraine had also experienced a steady growth of Islamic religious activity.

Islamic education in Ukraine is making its first steps. Established in 1993, today Ukraine’s Islamic University supports teaching, research and the education of Muslim children in Ukraine. Experts on Islamic education say this was unimaginable 5-10 years ago.

The number of Ukraine’s Islamic University’s graduates is increasing. However, experts point out, their degrees are recognized in some Asian and African countries but not in Ukraine.

In the meantime many Islamic teachers in Ukraine are non-Muslims which experts say it casts doubts on their interpretation of the course. They hope, that considering other secular European countries’ experience, Ukraine’s first official degrees on Islamic education may arise in about 6 years.

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