DG: New subject to replace Moral and Islamic Studies

KUALA LUMPUR,

Moral and Islamic Studies will be scrapped by 2005 and replaced by a new subject that will be studied by both Muslim and non-Muslim students.

Education director-general Datuk Abdul Rafie Mahat said the new subject, which is yet to be named, will be introduced from Year Four instead of Year One and is designed to promote “nation-building, patriotism and civic mindedness among the younger generation.”

“This change is being made based on the needs of the nation and feedback we have received on Moral and Islamic Studies. The CDC (Curriculum Development Centre) is finalizing the syllabus,” Abdul Rafie told The Star.

Instead of being divided into two groups to study different subjects, all students would now learn “values and citizenship together.”

Muslims will continue to take Islamic Studies but only after school hours, he added.

Taken From: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/8/13/nation/6045746&sec=nation

Russia wishes to become OIC member

Cairo,

Russia’s ambassador toEgypt has disclosed that what Russian President Vladimir Putin said about his country acceding to membership of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is a serious proposal, and that the application has been officially submitted.

He said there are 20,000,000 Muslims in Russia, and that this is reason enough for it to become a member of the OIC. The ambassador went on to say that the building of mosques in Russia continues without hindrance, provided the government-set conditions are met. He added that the government does prevent the construction of mosque, and proof of that is that last year alone nearly 400 new mosques were built, plus an Islamic Center.

Turning to the question of Muslims in Russia being harassed, the envoy said there is no such thing, though the security constraints sometimes call for the use of unusual methods, adding that such things do happen even in some Arab and Islamic countries. He said: “On the contrary, we respect human beings and their rights, as opposed to what we hear and see happening in some countries.”

Taken From: http://www.islamicnews.org/english/en_daily.html

Muslim-American Group to Mobilize Voters

WASHINGTON,

The Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation said Monday it is launching a national drive to register Muslims, give them a crash course on American civics and mobilize them for the 2004 election cycle.

"Campaign V.I.P: Voting is Power" is aimed at registering some 2.5 million Muslim-Americans, said Mahdi Bray, the group's executive director. Mosque surveys estimate 750,000 Muslim-Americans are currently registered, he said on the eve of the campaign's start.

"Many, when they come to this country, tend to become insular," Bray said. "We're trying to get people out in the communities and active in the civic process. We want them in parent-teacher associations, rotary clubs, and public service organizations."

Taken From: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030811/ap_on_re_us/muslims_voter_registration_1