BERAKAS, BRUNEI–MUARA: The country’s institutions of higher learning must be aware of the development of a reformist group that brings current thoughts or theories on Islam to dispute the old ones, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in a titah emphasises that the confusions caused by this group has the potential to stir conflict in the community.
Hence, His Majesty warns that no institution or agency in the country open its door to such extreme groups. His Majesty made the titah at the 4th Convocation of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.
His Majesty as the Chancellor of the institution also reprimands certain parties on the delay in implementing religious education and Arabic school facilities and calls them to review the matter and implement them quickly.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman; and the Rector of KUPU SB, Dr Hjh Masnon Hj Ibrahim.
The ceremony began with the Chancellor’s procession. The reading of Surah Al-Fatihah was led by the State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz Juned.
There was Al-Quran reading Awg Hj Ibrahim Hj Saat, a Bachelor in Religious Teaching degree graduate in Usuluddin. As a university college that emphasises religious education, KUPU SB is always developing its academic programmes.
In the welcoming address, the Ra’es or Rector of KUPU SB highlighted the university’s commitment to enhance its role inline with the given trust to strengthen and empower Jawi writing as the national identity and the study of Turath books or ancient religious books as an Islamic heritage.
She added that the institution will offer a full one year Turath Book Study Diploma in the 2015/2016 Session.
In the titah, His Majesty highlighted the main function of KUPU SB in promoting and upholding Islamic principles through Religious Teaching. His Majesty considers the field as the most important to produce knowledgeable teachers who practise religion in the Ahli Sunnah Wal-Jamaah, or Sunni Islam.
The Monarch additionally voices his opinion that educators nowadays should not only strive to be good enough, but must posses the ability to actually deliver the knowledge properly, adding that teachers must shfit from ‘good teaching’ to ‘effective teaching’ on the pedagogy scale.
“Our aim is to bring into this world a group of highly professional Islamic educators who would in turn produce esteemed characteristics” said His Majesty in his titah.
“Among the primary traits of greatness include piousness; having in-depth, far reaching knowledge; the ability to manage and organise while having well-respected leadership quality””I do believe that two of our leading Islamic institutions, KUPU SB and UNISSA, will be able to produce Islamic scholars who will also serve as the frontline defense in preserving the country’s religious practice”
The Monarch then reminded the attendees of the emergence of a new group dubbed the “mujaddid” who sought to reinterpret Islam according to modern perspective.
The group, according to His Majesty, appears to lean towards the intellectual. Members of this movement are active in disseminating new thoughts and theories to spite the ancient ones.The Monarch then provides an example whereby the group allegedly disputes the legitimacy of Syariah Penal Code Order, citing that the Order must refresh its sources of references or else it will forever be incompatible due to its outdated approach to law.
“We cannot immediately fathom such theories because we are still going to need the old references” said the Monarch.Again, His Majesty reminded the graduates and his subjects in general to disallow any emergence of such deviant groups who sought to sow discord in the minds of men.The Monarch then consented to pronounce the Graduation Titah for the Award of Degrees and Diplomas.
Two hundred and nineteen KUPU SB graduands were awarded Degrees and Diplomas at this year’s Convocation Ceremony. Fifteen received Master Degrees in Religious Teaching; twenty seven were recipients of Post Graduate Religious Teaching Diplomas; eighty four received Bachelor Degrees in Religious Teaching; sixty nine were recipients of Religious Teaching Higher Diplomas; and twenty four received Diplomas in Syariah and Usuluddin Studies.
The increasing number of KUPU SB graduates is another success in producing religious teachers who will play the role of educators for young Bruneians, at the same time carries the responsibility of upholding, strengthening religious practice and understanding among the people of Brunei Darussalam.
The Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti. This year KUPU SB, increases its role as a member of the Consortium of Asia Pacific Education University (CAPEU) Board of Directors by hosting the board’s upcoming 4th Meeting on Monday, November 24.
KUPU SB will also conduct the International Teachers Education Conference with the theme, ‘Teachers Education in the Perspective of Islam’ on November 24-25.
The event is expected to inspire the university college in improving the quality of teaching education, especially for religious teachers.