Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
King commends education concept introduced by Islamic centre
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday
commended the new concept of education introduced by an Islamic centre
affiliated with a major mosque in the Muqabilain neighbourhood in southwest
Amman.
During a visit to the Zainab Islamic Centre, which is part of the Al Hadi
Mosque, the King described the educational approach adopted by the institution
as “pioneering” and capable of building the character of an enlightened Muslim
who is well-educated in religious as well as secular affairs.
He said the centre embodies the role the mosque should play in the local
community, with focus on instilling the values of tolerance and moderation
inherent in the Islamic faith.
After performing prayers at the mosque, the Monarch toured the sections of the
centre, where children are taught the Holy Koran.
In addition to the classrooms, there are computer labs, a multipurpose hall
where seminars are held, two swimming pools for adults and children and a
2,000-book library.
According to Sami Hammoudeh, who is in charge of the mosque and the centre,
called waqf (religious endowment), the establishment of the centre was meant to
reestablish the original role of the mosque in the Muslim community, as an
educational centre where young Muslims are equipped with knowledge in various
fields.
Hammoudeh said the facility’s mission is to introduce traditional Islam to youth
as a religion of moderation and tolerance, rather than extremism and radicalism.
He said courses on various Islamic sciences are offered for both adults and
children, noting that since the Zainab Islamic Centre opened a year ago, 600
people have benefited from its services.
Hammoudeh’s statement was echoed by the imam of the mosque, Taleb Abu Awwad, who
said the idea behind the centre is to combine religious rituals and education
and other types of activities, including entertainment.
According to Islamic research, the mosque played a very big part in the spread
of education since the early days of Islam. The association of the mosque with
education remains one of its main characteristics throughout history and the
school became an indispensable appendage to the mosque, according to a paper
published on www.islamfortoday.com.
“From the start, the mosque was the centre of the Islamic community, a place for
prayer, meditation, religious instruction, political discussion and a school.
And anywhere Islam took hold, mosques were established, and basic instruction
began. Once established, such mosques could develop into well-known places of
learning, often with hundreds, sometimes with thousands of students, and
frequently contained important libraries,” the paper said.