PUPILS’ SPECIAL CONFERENCE ON MULTICULTURALISM TODAY

SENIOR pupils attended a specially-devised, one-day conference at Dundee’s Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies on Friday, June 12.
The aim was to give the fifth and sixth-year pupils from nine schools in the city an opportunity to engage in relevant topical discussion and to hear experts and postgraduate students talk on a range of issues.Titled “Islam and Multiculturalism In Today’s World,” it was the first schools’ event of its kind at the Institute and topics included Islam and women, Islam and the West, Islam in Scotland as well as Islam and extremism.
Institute Principal, Professor Malory Nye, said young people were interested in looking at contemporary issues such as multiculturalism and citizenship.
And he said that school pupils were willing to discuss issues while having their own views and attitudes challenged to give them a better understanding of the basics of Islam.
“We are looking forward to a mature level of debate on the day as we have no intention of preaching to the students,” said Professor Nye.
“There was an interesting range of topics for exploration and discussion, not just security matters and extremism, although these cannot be overlooked as they interest young people.
“We were not saying that Islam is X or Y – we wanted to help the young people to develop knowledge and to leave with a clearer picture of the issues surrounding Islam with the Qur’an at its heart.
“One of our aims at the Institute is to serve the educational needs in the local community and organising outreach events such as this is an important aspect.”
Professor Nye firmly believes that Islamic Studies are relevant to the needs of a multicultural society. He believes that they should be centralised into the schools and higher education curricula to be taught in ways that meet the demands of that multicultural society.
The conference involved collaboration with Dundee City Council’s Education Department and Education Director, Jim Collins officially opened it.
Council education convener, Councillor Liz Fordyce said: "This was a very informative event for our pupils that would help to build on the varied multicultural work that is ongoing in our schools.
"It is in everyone's interests that there is mutual understanding and respect, and this event goes a long way to promoting that.
"We are all very proud of the tolerant nature of Dundee society and I am sure that our young people will continue this in the future."
Professor Nye said the conference confirmed the Institute’s on-going relationship with the community, the City Council and its Education Department.
Professor Nye was also heartened by the response and level of interest from Dundee schools, a real indication that they realised a community needed to work together to build mutual understanding, respect and common ground.
“The Institute is focused on the promotion of intelligent debate and understanding of Islam and the role of Muslims in the contemporary world,” said Professor Nye.
“Multiculturalism is a recognition of both diversity and the need for common ground, mutual respect, and cultural engagement.
“We hope the conference fully highlighted this and, as a result, could lead to it possibly becoming an annual event.”..

12th June 2009 | Back To News