The Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs and the Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre (Fanar) held over 1,600 lectures in private and public schools during the last academic year.
Held in co-operation and co-ordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), the lectures addressed various value-based issues and educational challenges.
These activities aimed to strengthen Islamic identity and disseminate sublime values among students of all ages. They were attended by parents and teaching and administrative staff at the schools. They included Qur'anic activities, events, competitions, and the distribution of prizes and gifts to participants.
There were 97 activities by the Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance and they included educational and guidance titles covering all aspects of awareness and guidance for boys and girls to cover various educational levels from kindergarten to high school.
Fanar held a school lecture programme titled ‘Values and Behaviour’. With 33 events, the programme began in October and benefited about 2,360 students from 13 different schools. The lectures addressed values, behaviours, and student ethics in addition to the challenges facing young people.
Fanar’s activities and lectures covered a variety of topics aimed at instilling Islamic values and morals such as honesty, trustworthiness, respect for others, co-operation, kindness to parents, self-discipline and positive behaviour in school and daily life.
The etiquette in dealing with teachers, preserving public property, time management and the etiquette of dialogue and disagreement were also explained. The lectures also addressed contemporary issues and challenges such as the safe use of technology, dealing with psychological stress and the risks of bullying.
The programme targeted age groups from eight to 18 years, including students from primary, middle, and secondary schools. Lectures were delivered using modern interactive methods that took into account individual differences among students and encouraged them to participate and interact through dialogue, presentations and accompanying activities.
Fanar director Dr Saleh bin Ali al-Marri said the school guidance programme comes within the framework of the interest in the emerging generations and its keenness to guide them towards goodness based on its mission to consolidate Islamic identity, promote noble values in the souls of the young. “In light of the intellectual and behavioural challenges the world is witnessing, the urgent need has emerged to direct young energies towards righteous behaviour and consciously deal with life’s variables,” al-Marri said.
