Rwahal has met Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al Dwaish, the Chairman of Almurrabi Foundation. It is proud to conduct the following interview with him.

Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Dwaish, the chairman of Almurrabi Foundation. He holds masters and PH.D of education, Imam Muhammad bin Saud’s Islamic University. He has been nominated to posts relevant to education and pedagogy.

Al Dwaish has conducted a large number of courses and training sessions at educational institutions, participated in the compilation and development of the Ministry of Education’s syllabus as well as Imam Muhammad bin Saud’s and others. He is also a scholar and researcher in educational curricula development.

1)   Do you find yourself satisfied with the present education systems in the Muslim World, whether in schools or the various educational institutions? If not, why?

In fact, I am not well satisfied with the actual education system in the Muslim World, partly because its inability to meet the aspirations of Muslim societies. That education is the producer of the good man, it is the key factor to change and development in societies, when a society suffers problems relevant to religious and worldly life; this becomes an indicator on failure in attaining the aspirations.

2)   How can an educator build his/her capacities and skills amid the open acculturation?

An educator needs to make painstaking efforts to promote his expertise and dexterity, the most prominent of which is the psychological development:

1)   The erudite reading, which enhances the individual knowledge development, this is why reading in well-authored books with rich content and concise language is crucial going parallel with the independency from e-books, which provide flimsy content and topics.

2)    Following audiovisual programs of rich content that are available online, disburdening the educator from pursuing streaming regular times, which may not be appropriate.

3)   Meeting the prominent figures of mature and well-informed culture for discussions and exchanging experiences, which is very useful in building capacities and changing thinking techniques.

4)   Attending seminars and educational events: conferences, symposiums, workshops, and training programs etc..

5)   Adopting self-reform, detecting the points of imperfection, connectedness with peers and colleagues for sharing expertise.

3- What are the most efficient tools that help an educator in education?

The tools facilitating instruction are numerous, including but not limited, teaching strategies, learning activities, education and development techniques….All constitute the crux kernel of this discipline, with its subordinate branches.

It is quite fatiguing for an educator to be aware of every bits and pieces, which is already not expected as some educators themselves may be students in different fields, including Islamic sciences, engineering, medicine, administration while others are employed in private sector etc. An educator is required to apprehend all foundations, as well as the most important approaches in psychology, education management and philosophy.

4)   A wide cleavage between generations of fathers- who were in charge of educational process and their sons - and another between the learners and educators, in schools, mosques and various educational institutions.. Such a cleavage is a real obstacle before learning, what are the solutions to bridging between these actors?

A connection can be created through educating the parents and educators, along with qualifying them in understanding current generations and their inclinations and ideal method of absorbing them.

5)   The cleavage can be rendered as the responsibility of seniors alone?

The responsibility is not educators’ alone, yet they represent the leaders of the educational scene, their function is motivating learners, help them assume their duties to reduce the span between generations. They have to develop the appropriate approaches and education curricula, in efforts of bridging gaps.

6)   In the light of significant balking in taking efficient responsibilities by educators, is it preferable to instruct educators to move to self-education rather than functioning as educators? How far is it appropriate?

Education is not only a process of knowledge accumulation through reading and self-learning. In fact, knowledge achievement is a tool, yet cannot cover the education process, which is deemed a process of character building. This sophisticated effort must be accomplished through tactful planning, execution, assessment and review. In addition, communication is very important aspect in character building, as many principles be can’t be etched in minds without a real role model.

7)   What is the solution?

The solution is double-tiered:

First: building the capacities of educators,

Second: qualifying an educational medium in order to attract educators and build their characters.

8)   Some parents and educators of Islamist conservative inclination, have reservations regarding modern education, are they contradictory?

Methods and approaches are not the ends themselves, yet they are means to achieve those ends; represented in human building as well as its character. If educational and preaching methods had been a revealed divine obligation, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) would have been stated that in clear words.

The Muslim Nation has always been developing and modifying all education, reform and Da’wah methods over the long centuries. The religious education, as an example, had undergone massive changes in terms of structure, syllabus, and aids according to the rapidly changing conditions in course of time.

9)   How can educators identify the Islamic approach in education to apply it with their sons and learners?

I am not supporting highlighting the Islamic and traditional education as an opposite to the modern education, putting people between two choices only.

Of course, we need the religious education as well as establishing it. We also need successful human experiences from the past and present, to employ the perfect models in a way that serves our education project, as any Muslim should search for wisdom wherever it was.

10)According to your own point of view, what are the major challenges that educators face now, what is the best approach to grapple with challenges?

There is a plethora of challenges that cannot be defined in one interview but the following can solve them partially

-       Integrated education programs and approaches

-       Self-habilitation and building capacities

-       Resource and time management, particularly when we recognize the fact that education is not main occupation of some educators, but sometimes it is marginalized.

-       The external pressures and their diversity, which siege the educator and constrain his abilities and some force him to demolish what he has already established.

-       Education programs are often less attractive that is why educators may not employ them.

11) At the end, what is your recommendation you would like to offer to the staff of Rawahel while they are taking their first steps?

Continuity and determination you should keep. You should specify your targets and bear a goodwill in your hearts.