‘Boosting religious stream produces better students’

KUALA LUMPUR: The continued support of the government in boosting the tahfiz (religious) education system in the country has produced better students.

Chairman of non-governmental organisation, Antarabangsa, Datuk Dr Mustapha Ahmad Marican said the government’s policy of not neglecting tahfiz schools, especially those registered, had enabled their students to pursue higher education locally and overseas.

“Based on my experience as part of the panel of interviewers for the Public Service Commission, tahfiz students have their advantages; they are different from ordinary students because they have their own strengths. In fact, many who were from tahfiz schools have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots as well as join other professions,” he said.

Mustapha, who is also the chief executive officer of the Urban WellbeingFoundation(YKB)under the Federal Territories Ministry, was giving a motivational talk to about 150 students of Madrasah Tahfiz Ar Raudhah in Beranang, Selangor, yesterday.

He said tahfiz students should take full advantage of the opportunity to study with the facilities that had been provided for them.

He said tahfiz students in other countries like Cambodia were so poor that they did not have enough clothes to wear or books to study as they came from poor families, yet were hardworking in their pursuit of knowledge.

“We here should be thankful that our country is peaceful compared to other countries which are experiencing war such as Palestine, Yemen and Iraq, where many cannot study and live in fear.

“Our tahfiz students can succeed as our country has many facilities and reference books. Students should also be grateful to their parents who emphasise Islamic education,” he said.

Madrasah Tahfiz Ar Raudhah was started by Datuk Mustapa Othman in 2013 with only 30 students.

Today, it has about 150 students aged between seven and 20 years, and a teaching force of almost 10. — Bernama