Education of Myanmar Muslims in the age of

Globalization:

Opportunities and challenges

Presented

By

Dr. Maung Maung@ HJ:Mohammed Hussein

Introduction

The educational development of the

Myanmar Muslim community is quite far

behind global standard, as Myanmar has

been left behind globalization.

From primary education to tertiary level,

Myanmar Muslim needs to improve a lot.

However, Many Muslim Religious leaders

are encouraging the community to study the

religion only, and some see primarily Islam

as a set of ritual.

2

According to the Sunna, we as Muslims should

seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. The

Ilim (knowledge) here that our prophet Mohamad

(SWA) pointed out relates the knowledge

belonging both to this world and the here after.

Unfortunately, Myanmar Muslims are not aware

of this fact as well as the existence of the global

standard of education.

3

Today, living in a highly competitive world,

Muslims also need to search for alternative

approaches or mean such as using the media, in

order to develop themselves, as well as for

protection.

Mass Media with its dependence on information

technology is flying very high and changing

rapidly, allowing its presence online, as well as

through print media.

4

Opportunities and Challenges

Our community is following the traditional ways

and values.

They have closed their eyes to see the

opportunities and the new world.

In the context of the changing both political and

economic situations, it is very important to

strengthen our community to be in the time line.

5

Education and Muslims in Myanmar

Although the Globalization has spread rapidly,

Myanmar did not get influenced by it, but rather

stood in her lonely planet.

As a result, education standard of Myanmar not

yet reached the level of its Asian counter parts,

which makes the educational level of Myanmar

Muslims to be at an even lower level.

6

The main purpose of this presentation is to get an

idea and to share the knowledge of how to improve

Myanmar Muslim education in this 21st century.

If we want to make ourselves modernize, we must

seek modern technology consistent with the tenants

of Islam.

Though we need to stand on our belief firmly, we

need to show that Islam is not an aggressive one, but

the religion of PEACE.

In the previous centuries Muslims were educated.

The world‟s oldest university is a Muslim university

(Al Azhar) which is good reminder for us that our

ancestors had educated the world.7

In the past, we had one of the best education system

in the world, but at present, we must admit that

studying religious matters alone is not sufficient.

We need to modify our teaching technique and

learning system which should systematically

integrate the formal education system together with

the teaching of religion.

We also need to change from using only the

quantitative approach to using the qualitative

approach as well.

Thus, it can be said that religious knowledge along

with modern knowledge should be the head and tail

of a coin.8

In addition to this, without access to higher

education, we cannot hope to improve Myanmar

Muslim Society to the recognized standard.

Since its independence in 1948, Myanmar has

prided itself on its values of self-help and self

reliance.

For more than 60 years, it has been moving on its

own feet. After gaining independence from the

British, Myanmar still followed the British

education system.

9

When the revolutionary Council came into power

in 1962, everything had changed, including the

education system.

Since 1964 onwards, all subjects in schools were

taught in Myanmar even though these subjects

were related to science or areas like international

relations, where the books were only available in

English.

All, including experts and those who gained the

knowledge from British Education System were

remained silent as they were not in the position to

express the frank views and comments.

10

As the Myanmar language was the one and only

official language, all schools and universities had to

teach confined themselves to teaching in Myanmar

language.

In those days, Rangoon (Yangon) University was

very famous among the Asian Peninsula and

Indochina.

The University campus was full of international

scholars and faculties.

Among the universities in other Asian countries,

Rangoon University was the most gracious and

prestigious one.11

In the era of revolutionary council, excessive

power was entirely in the hand of the leader, this

resulted to mismanagement and consequently the

situation was reversed.

The political way also changed to Burmese Way to

Socialism and the ruling party and those people

who handling the senior positions in inner circles

did not favor education.

They only look for passive listeners rather than

active participants.

12

At that time, there were a lot of changes in global

education system with new information technology

emerging along with new teaching material, aids

and methods.

All these things required the use of the English

language, which unfortunately the Myanmar

students could not catch up with, leaving it in the

dark.

13

Finally the 20th century education left the Myanmar

people far behind whereas the new millennium to

come in speedily and forcefully.

Nowadays, Myanmar people have started opening

their eyes and looking towards the global education,

which is still not too late for people who are really

keen to learn.

14

For the time being, the government is building

many new colleges and universities but do not have

enough equipment, teaching staff, faculties and

materials as well.

So there are many gaps to fill up by ourselves such

as opening private universities, as we believe only

education can develop a community as well as a

nation .

15

In the past, Myanmar Muslims served in judiciary

positions, administrative positions, as poets,

logisticians, teachers, military strategic planners

and commanders as well as in others.

During those days Myanmar Muslims were well

educated, where some of them held honorable

roles as reputed educators.

After sometimes the skills of Myanmar Muslims

decreased in every sector, including education as

they neglected formal education.

At present, the education levels of Myanmar

Muslims are nearly at the bottom if it is compared

to others.16

As a result, lack of job opportunity is the major

impact.

Since General Ne win seized the power in 1962,

Muslims have been deliberately and systematically

excluded from official positions in the government

and in the army.

There were no opportunities for employments and

less value for earning degrees although parents are

trying very hard to send their children to respective

universities.

The other reason is that majority of Myanmar

Muslims who live in rural area and suburban areas

are needy.17

Many work as daily wages-based laborers. May be

these are some of the reasons why Myanmar

Muslims are not interested in education.

In this Twenty-first century, nations become more

competitive and interdependent, and the future lies

on knowledge, skills and resourcefulness.

The impact of changing education system is not

only affect Myanmar Muslim society but also on

other societies of Myanmar.

It has said that globalization refers to :

„„shrinking space, shrinking time and disappearing

borders”, which “are linking people‟s lives more

deeply, more intensely and more immediately than

ever before‟‟ [UNDP -1999- page-1].18

In this respect, education has much to offer, for it

plays an important role in the personal and social

development of the young, who are representatives

of the future.

As already mentioned, the previous generations of

Myanmar Muslims have been well educated. Thus

according to their well-being the government

respected them and reserved the rights for them.

For instance U Razak who was a teacher, a leader,

and also a martyr of Myanmar. He served as a

Minister for Education and National planning in

1947.

19

He had used to be the principal of Mandalay

Central National High School which was one of

the two biggest national schools in the country.

U Razak, a teacher, a leader, a martyr of Myanmar

20

First time in history: U Razak Day celebration in Mandalay.

National level senior monks are attended and deliver a speech about

U Razak.

21

20th January 2012

22

As the whole nation is under developed, majority

of Myanmar people are below the poverty line,

which also includes Myanmar Muslims.

Some of them cannot even afford to send their

children to school to get primary education

(Though primary education is free, parents have to

spend some amount of money and children are

also to work on their family‟s farm.).

Some parents have to strive very hard to give their

children secondary education and only very few

people can afford to provide tertiary education.

23

Today in Myanmar, new government is providing

100% free education to primary students. It is very

good and essential arrangement for poor families.

24

In the four Medical universities in Mandalay, less than

4% is Muslim students. In post graduate studies, there

are only a few Muslim candidates, and it can be applied

by those who are in government service only.

According to the Muslims Medical Family in Mandalay, Muslim

students in Institutional Universities are as below:

Universities Enrollment

University of Medicine (Mandalay) new enrollment 20 to 25 students /yr/600

University of Dental Medicine (Mandalay)new enrollment 1to 5 students /yr/150

University of Pharmacy (Mandalay) new enrollment 2 to 5 students /yr/200

University of Medical Technology

(Mandalay)

new enrollment 3 to 7 students /yr/300

Government Technical College (Mandalay)new enrollment 30to 50 students/yr/1200

25

In villages most of the Myanmar Muslims are out of

reach for education.

According to our observation, 27miles south of

Mandalay, there is one of the largest Muslim villages

is situated.

The population of the village is about 15,000 and all

of them are Muslims.

There are a government middle school and two

Islamic religious schools in the village.

In government school, the total numbers of students

are 1000 and total strength of teaching staff is 22.

Out of 22, only 2 teachers are Muslim and the rest

are non Muslims from other areas.

26

The highest level is 8th standard and there are only

15 students studying at that level.

Most of the students leave school after primary

level.

They thought if they can read and write, it is

enough for Dunya ( worldly ) Education.

They thought if they were to learn more, that it

would be for nothing, as they cannot get good job

and they have set their minds to study for the

hereafter.

27

In addition to this, higher education is very

expensive for them and hard to access.

Therefore, some male students join to Islamic

schools.

Girls stay at home and help their family benefit

substitution.

Some girls are studying in Hafiz class.

28

In the previous year, some 10 students passed their

8th standard exam but could not join high school

since the nearest one is situated in another town

and also due to lack of funding and transportation.

Majorities of Muslims in rural area and some in

urban areas suffer the same situation.

Islamic Schooling

29

There are two streams of Islamic studies in

Myanmar.

One is to study to become a Hafiz while the other to

become Maulvi (Imam Courses).

After primary school, students join to these schools

and spend for 3 to 10 years since their age about 10

to 12 years old.

So, some of our Imams and Hafiz‟s formal

education level stop at the primary level.

Only a few students have the knowledge of high

school level and some are bachelor degree holders.

30

The practice and situation is very much similar in

almost all the traditional Islamic Schools across the

country.

Some outstanding students from those religious

schools mostly go either to India or Pakistan for

their further studies.

Only a few students can go to Madina International

University and Al Azhar University. So we need

some assistance to send our students to these

Universities.

Traditional Islamic School

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32

33

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Islamic Garden of Education, situated in Moulmein, Mon State,

Lower Myanmar,

conducted both formal & Islamic Education till become graduates.

Our Current Activities

35

Educational support

Mandalay, the second largest city and once the

second capital is the hub of Myanmar businesses.

It has overall population of about 1.3 million and

estimated 10% of them make up the Myanmar

Muslim population.

Out of which, estimated about 7% are poor, and,

except for some wealthy people, where some live in

outskirt Mandalay and most live in villages.

In the prime area of Mandalay, there are quite a

number of Muslim quarters and (55) Masjids .

36

Difficult to earn a degree and to get any good job.

They only work as daily-wages earner to make their

both end meet.

Many Muslim children are sent by their parents to

basic Islamic Schools (Maktab) which are near their

homes.

Although teaching styles in these schools are very

primitive, they gain only basic knowledge about

Islam , just to recite Qur‟an and to perform Salat.

37

When these situations are noticed and recognized,

some of the well to do Muslims, who have good

education, better knowledge and good sense of well

being for Myanmar Muslim society are putting

their hands together and pooling some money and

forming educational supporting groups.

Eduzone,

The Educational Outreach Center is one of such

organizations which has its head office in city

center and provides grants for university students

from different parts of upper Myanmar who are in

need and cannot afford to go to universities.

38

Eduzone is also conducting complimentary English

classes, Arabic Language class and classes for

knowledge of Islam to support Muslim community

for their development.

It is not a very big activity and not a beneficial for

the whole Muslim community .

We are trying our best to support as much as we

can for our community.

39

Eduzone Educational Outreach CenterSunday Talk In Library

Volunteer English Teacher from USA Teaching Islamic Knowledge

40

Furthermore, it is convinced that Islamic

Institutions should be conducted for both formal

education and Islamic faith teaching in dual way in

accordance with well recognized international

curriculum.

At this point I would like to request to all of you to

help and guide us the international Islamic high

school, university curriculum for all level which is

beyond our reach.

Take for instance, Busthanul Oulum Arabic School

in Pyin Oo Lwin which is located 42miles up north

east of Mandalay and uses dual education system.

BUSTHANUL OULUM

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42

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Dual Learning System

44

Understanding

Quran in Arabic,

English and Myanmar

courses from

Al-Qur‟an Academy

Hyderabad

General Science ,

English

Math and

Myanmar

45

Teaching in Class room

Learning in Library

46

Members of Eduzone are also take part in some

Islamic Organizations which are officially

recognized by the government and their activities

for education (and some others) are well accepted

by the whole community.

We have award giving ceremonies for outstanding

Muslim students who pass government high school

examination.

47

Award giving Ceremony by Islamic Education Committee

(Islamic Religious Affair Council, Mandalay District)

48

49

Haji Nyunt Maung Shein , President of the Islamic Religious affair Council

50

Haji, Dr. Maung Maung Hussein, President of the Islamic Education Committee

Mandalay

51

Awarding an all subjects distinction winner

52

800 Muslim

Participants at

awarding ceremony

53

For the time being, Eduzone has tried for its

students to get scholarship programs (both for

modern science education and traditional Islamic

education) from oversea nations, and provide

necessary preparations to students for those who

are eligible.

54

This is a necessity for Myanmar Muslims to get

involved in these activities.

In Mandalay we have 5 major religions and among

them Buddhist is the majority with 74% of the total

population.

Christians and Muslims are the second largest

groups, together with 20%, and then Hindus and

Bahais constituted up to about 4%.These respected

religions are gathering and have fostering

relationship under interfaith emblem.

Interfaith activities in Mandalay

55

Eduzone takes the leading role of this movement on

behalf of Mandalay Myanmar Muslims and

working together with these groups.

56

When the country faced the big natural disaster

(Cyclone Nargis)in 2007, Myanmar Muslims

demonstrated their sympathy and generosity.

After that we successfully founded the Mandalay

Inter-faith Mercy Group.

Before that and after forming it, Eduzone works

both individually and collectively together with

other groups in many philanthropic works.

57

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Kyauk Se´ Flood

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Kyauk Se´ Flood

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Education

We live in an age of progress. In this age one who

does not develop, will stay behind and will recede.

Science and technology have to run side by side.

In this set up, we can guide our children towards

the scientific bend, if we have a system that put

science into their minds from an early age.

To set up such faculties in Eduzone is our future

dream.

Future prospects for Myanmar Muslims

61

When speaking about global education, among

other subjects, Islamic Finance is also very

important area and that is why we would like to

introduce this subject in our community and in our

country too.

62

In Myanmar, the stock market has not yet been

established. However, in the very near future

(hopefully within 2 years), Myanmar banking

sector will be upgraded and there will be a high

demand for finance professionals.

Next would be the healthcare sector in which the

demand for a good healthcare system and medical

education is very high. Hopefully, we will have a

chance to fulfill this gap also.

63

Another opportunity lies within hotel and tourism

industry.

Although global warming has taken its effects,

Myanmar still has a lot of virgin lands and those

are very good attractions for tourism.

Now many hotels are being built throughout

Myanmar, but still in need more. Also the need for

skilled human resources is high in such service

sector.

64

As for the Myanmar education sector is now being

changed to meet the global standard and we are in

need of a big number of resource persons who can

guide us to set up global institutions.

But, in order for this change to happen, we will

need to meet the ASEAN standard first.

Nowadays some affordable Muslim students are

studying in either Singapore or Malaysia.

Most of them are choosing Singapore because they

can work there to cover part of their expenses and

have the chance to obtain scholarship and the

permanent residency status in Singapore.

65

We are sure that Myanmar Muslims prefer to go

and study in Malaysia.

We believe that Malaysia is becoming a hub of

higher education among the Islamic countries. So

we (Myanmar) also wish to be a part of the

education hub.

We are seeking new 21st century education and

prepare to establish a college university campus in

the very near future in Myanmar.

66

We already have initial steps and made necessary

preparation for it.

InshaAllah. This is also one of the pictures of a

place which we chose from one of the famous and

oldest traditional Islamic Institutions near

Mandalay.

The campus area is about four hectares.

67

Oldest Islamic Institution in Mandalay (Estd: 1964)

68

69

70

This is our

second

option for

New

University,

belongs to

Muslim

National

Institute,

but we need

to apply back

from

Ministry of

Cooperative

who is now

utilising

71

Muslim National Institute

This is our second option for new university,

belongs to Muslim National Institute, existed in

city centre.

Now under control and utilized by Ministry of

Cooperation.

We are plan to apply back from the concerned

department .

All legal documents are in our hand. Inshaallah ,

we will claim with clean hands.

72

73

On behalf of Myanmar Muslims I would like to

thank to Allah(SWT),

and please accept my sincere thanks to

Albukhari Foundation, IDB, IIUM, CIMB Bank

(Malaysia) for their scholarship programs they

have been offering to Myanmar Muslim students,

even though it is a small percentage of quota for

Myanmar students, we are still very grateful.

Conclusion

74

Human resources are being developed in all

countries, and when our country has undergone

many changes recently and our new government is

making sure to democratize the country.

We hope that is good for our community as well. By

this, I mean that there should be developments of

human standards.

We are not concerned only with material

requirements, but also with the quality of life.

75

The only way to achieve this level, dual education

such as formal and non formal education and both

Islamic teaching and modern teaching for all will be

the best approach.

The time is now ripe to build up international

collaboration, by way of joint ventures, research,

education, and so on.

And also, Myanmar Muslim community should be

united with ASEAN Muslim community.

It is very important and essential for us to have a

close relationship with the Muslim community at

the national level and international level.

76

After all, we would like to invite anyone, who is

interested in making improvement of Myanmar

Muslims, to come to Myanmar, to research, to

invest, to work together with us.

At present, we need to have experienced and

qualified teachers from inside and outside the

country, we need financial assistance to boost up

education from lower level to higher level, and we

want our students to get more scholarships to study

abroad.

77

We need to have full scholarships, partial

scholarships and special rate for our under

graduate and post graduate students to study

abroad and within the country.

Inshallah, with the help of our Muslim brothers and

sisters, we believe we can improve the quality of life

in our Muslim community.

And we would like to invite you to invest in

Education sector in Myanmar and to visit our

country to see the people with your own eyes.

You all are warmly welcome .

78

“ Allah (alone) is sufficient for us, and HE is the

Best Disposer of affairs (for us)”. [3:173]

ALL THE PRAISES AND THANKS BE TO

ALLAH ,THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE, THE

MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU AND PEACE BE

UPON YOU.

79

THANK YOU