KUWAIT CITY, June 29: A number of Kuwaiti non government organizations, including Islamic Heritage Revival Society (IHRS), Kuwait Teachers Society (KTS), Al-Najat Charitable Society, Social Reform Society and others, have called on authorities to revise the curricula of Islamic studies and added “Kuwait is keen on maintaining monotheism and wants its citizens to live in peace, away from sectarianism and internal splits,” reports Al-Anba daily. The NGOs, at the same time, expressed displeasure over comments describing the educational curricula as “sectarian and aimed at sowing sedition and causing divisions among citizens.”
It also defended instructors and teachers who included the part of visiting cemeteries in the curricula, saying it was done with the consent and approval of Muslim scholars.

The NGOs, however, said they didn’t like the question in which students were asked their opinion about those who insult the companions of Prophet (PBUH), saying Kuwaiti laws incriminate anyone who offends or insults the companions of Prophet (PBUH). Therefore, this question seems to be an explicit call for sedition and fanaticism, it added.
Meanwhile, the head of the Beliefs and Creeds Department at the College of Sharia in Kuwait University Dr Bassam Al-Shatti says that the National Assembly, which is a supervisory and legislative authority, does not have the right to interfere in ministries’ specializations, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
He added that Kuwait has a special administration to tackle academic curricula since 1962 which makes it the oldest in the Arab world after Egypt, Syria and Morocco.

“The administration writes, modifies and evaluates academic books, taking into consideration the government and the Ministry of Education’s objectives for all academic stages. He stated that the national curriculum of Islamic Studies subject was evaluated by a group of distinguished specialized teachers who are authorized by a number of Arab and Islamic countries.
He added that those writing these books are approved elite working in accordance with the conditions set by the ministry. In the academic field, they are under the direct supervision of the assistant undersecretary for curricula and the first guide for Islamic Studies along with other teachers and professors of Kuwait University and colleges.
“If some lawmakers have reservations on a certain methodology, the assembly should seek assistance of specialized people and ask their opinion, such as those in the Ministry of Awqaf. They should avoid sensationalizing such issues in the media, causing trouble in Parliament and pressurizing the minister and other such unacceptable behavior, because this is the not the way to deal with such issues,” he said. He also hoped the ministry will defend the people who wrote these books or at least give them a chance to defend themselves.