no to ‘artificial conflict’ between philosophy and islamic education
Monday 21 July 2025
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

No to ‘Artificial Conflict’ between Philosophy and Islamic Education

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

no to ‘artificial conflict’ between philosophy and islamic education

Rachid Benmokhtar, Minister of National Education
Rabat - Arab Today

“It is absurd to spark an artificial conflict between philosophy teachers and Islamic education” stated Rachid Benmokhtar, Minister of National Education, in an interview with Le Monde Afrique.

For Benmokhtar, it is crucial to find a middle ground between philosophy and Islamic education. In an interview with the French newspaper, the Moroccan Minister of National Education talked about the controversy surrounding Islamic education textbooks, the reformation of which he oversaw.


A couple of months ago, philosophy teachers took to the streets to condemn the content of an Islamic education textbook. It cited Ibn Salah Achahrouzi, a Muslim clerk who qualifies philosophy as “the height of meaninglessness and depravation,” and anyone following its teaching will be “possessed by Satan and his heart shall be corrupted.”

In a global environment rife with religious extremism, philosophy teachers have expressed their concern about the use of such fundamentalist figures in textbooks addressed to teenagers.

When asked if he shares the same concerns, Benmokhtar stated that he does not position himself in a “stand of conflict.” The minister admits that indeed, “the current curriculum presents some imperfections.” In his opinion, however, these “imperfections” are marginal, and he “will not allow anyone to overshadow the hard work invested in the reforms”.

He criticized the teachers’ approach to this polemic, saying that “their attitude does not reflect the values of philosophy and the culture of debate.”

The minister went on to deny any allegations about philosophy being an oppressed discipline in Morocco. “It’s history. In the 60s, Islamic education was given a higher status than human science, but it is no longer the case,” he said.

As this polemic takes on larger proportions, exceeding its administrative context, Benmokhtar describes the philosophical and religious debate as a “universal” one. “Schools are not an ideological battle field, and should not be limited to that,” the minister goes on, “just before the legislative elections, we sent a notice to school principals, reminding them that educational institutions are neutral ones; there’s no room for political ideologies in classrooms.”

In conclusion, the minister stated that “the question of philosophy and faith was never brought up, either by Islamic education or philosophy teachers.” According to him, this polemic has uncovered a “mutual comfortable ignorance,” adding that a student with internet access can easily find such extremist quotations, and take them for absolute truth.

Source :Morocco World News

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

no to ‘artificial conflict’ between philosophy and islamic education no to ‘artificial conflict’ between philosophy and islamic education

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 08:59 2017 Thursday ,13 April

Mogherini Visits Moscow This Month

GMT 09:39 2017 Wednesday ,06 September

Amina Khalil happy for participating in 3 film

GMT 08:41 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Volkswagen clinches record sales

GMT 11:31 2017 Saturday ,25 March

Clinton aide accuses FBI chief of double standards

GMT 08:10 2017 Friday ,13 October

Landmark EU-Cuba deal to take effect

GMT 16:58 2017 Thursday ,09 March

More power to women through art

GMT 07:22 2017 Tuesday ,14 November

Nelly Karim focuses on humanitarian roles

GMT 08:26 2017 Monday ,20 November

Israel to shut migrant centre and deport Africans

GMT 20:00 2017 Wednesday ,08 November

Saudi Crown prince welcomes Yemeni president in Riyadh

GMT 07:46 2012 Monday ,23 January

Masdar graduate makes Forbes 30 under-30 list

GMT 10:24 2011 Monday ,27 June

Soccer behind disputes between Haifa and hubby

GMT 18:26 2015 Friday ,23 October

Climate envoys endorse outlines of UN pact
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle