NATIONAL SEMINAR
On
Basic Religious Education in Contemporary
Educational Institutions: Prospects and
Challenges
1-2 Feb, 2025 (Saturday-Sunday)
(ONLINE/OFFLINE)
Organized by
DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC STUDIES
ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY, ALIGARH
in Collaboration with
ISLAMIC FIQH ACADEMY-INDIA
About the Seminar
Introduction:
Religious education has traditionally served as a foundational element in many
educational systems. Up until the pre-modern times, educational institutions
were often closely tied to religious institutions, with the aim of transmitting
religious knowledge, ensuring moral development, and fostering community
identity. Religious education was viewed as essential for shaping both the
intellect and the character of students. Moreover, the moral teachings embedded
in religious traditions were regarded as universal truths, offering guidance on
how to live a virtuous life. However, in the modern era, particularly with the
rise of secularism and the diversification of belief systems, religious education
has faced a myriad of challenges. As secular values gained prominence in many
societies, especially in Western contexts, the role of religious education began
to decline. Secularism, which advocates for the separation of religion from
public life, has led to the removal or marginalization of religious instruction in
state-sponsored educational systems. The emphasis shifted towards academic
subjects, such as science, mathematics, and literature, which were seen as more
universally applicable and neutral.
This shift in focus, while advancing certain academic goals, has also left a
significant gap in the moral and ethical formation of students. In many
educational systems, the absence of religious education has resulted in a lack of
emphasis on values such as empathy, justice, and social responsibility.
Consequently, this has prompted a re-evaluation of the role of religious
education within the curriculum, as educators and policymakers seek to balance
the benefits of secular education with the need for moral and ethical
[Link] of the primary challenges facing religious education in modern
educational institutions is the growing religious pluralism within societies.
Globalization, migration, and increased cultural exchange have led to societies
that are more diverse than ever before. Religious pluralism—the coexistence of
multiple religious traditions within a single society—has become a defining
feature of many contemporary communities. As such, religious education must
evolve to address not only the teachings of specific religious traditions but also
foster an understanding and respect for the diversity of beliefs that students
encounter in their daily lives.
In this context, the challenge of religious education lies in striking a balance
between teaching specific religious doctrines and promoting interfaith
understanding. The inclusion of religious education in contemporary
educational institutions can provide students with the opportunity to learn about
various belief systems, understand the values and practices associated with
them, and engage in critical reflection on how religion influences culture,
society, and individual behavior. In this way, religious education can serve as a
tool for promoting tolerance, respect, and social cohesion in increasingly
diverse communities.
Secularism, which advocates for the separation of religion from state
institutions, has become a dominant force in many educational systems,
particularly in liberal democracies. In these systems, the teaching of religion is
often restricted to the study of religion as an academic subject, rather than as
part of the broader moral or ethical framework of the curriculum. Secular
education aims to create a neutral environment where students are free to form
their own beliefs without state interference. This has led to debates about
whether religious education should be part of the curriculum of contemporary
educational institutions or whether it should be left to religious institutions and
families.
The rise of secularism has led to a tension between the desire for an inclusive
educational system that respects all religious beliefs and the view that education
should focus solely on rational and empirical knowledge. Some argue that
religious education has no place in contemporary educational institutions, as it
may promote particular religious ideologies. Others contend that religious
education is essential for the moral and social development of students,
regardless of their individual faiths, and that its exclusion risks depriving
students of a comprehensive understanding of the world. This tension has
contributed to the marginalization of religious education in many educational
systems, leading to concerns that students may graduate without a solid
foundation in ethics and values. Many educators and policymakers argue that
religious education can offer critical moral teachings that secular education
alone cannot provide. Furthermore, proponents of religious education contend
that it can help students develop empathy, respect, and a sense of responsibility,
which are essential for living harmoniously in a diverse, interconnected world.
The forces of globalization, coupled with the increasing migration of people
across borders, have heightened the need for religious education that promotes
interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding. The world is more interconnected
than ever, and students are encountering a wide range of religious and cultural
perspectives. In this environment, religious education can play a crucial role in
helping students navigate differences and find common ground. By studying
various religious traditions; students can develop a greater appreciation for the
values and beliefs that shape different cultures. Religious education provides an
opportunity to engage with complex questions about human existence, morality,
and purpose, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse world in which we
live.
In this backdrop the Department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh, in collaboration with Islamic Fiqh Academy, India, seeks to bring
together research scholars, academicians, policy makers and religious leaders in
a two-days’ national seminar on “Basic Religious Education in Contemporary
Educational Institutions: Prospects and Challenges.”
Objectives:
To analyze the importance and role of basic religious education in
contemporary educational institutions, with a focus on its contribution to
students’ moral, ethical, and intellectual growth.
To explore the impact of secularism, religious pluralism and globalization
on the integration and practice of religious education in contemporary
educational institutions, considering both the challenges and opportunities
presented by these factors.
To propose practical strategies for incorporating religious education into
modern curricula, addressing challenges, and ensuring its inclusivity and
relevance in diverse educational contexts.
To investigate how religious education can contribute to the formation of
national identity, social cohesion, and the promotion of shared ethical
values in pluralistic societies.
To emphasize the importance of teacher training and professional
development in the effective delivery of religious education, ensuring
educators are equipped to teach with sensitivity and inclusiveness.
Sub-themes: Papers are invited from interested persons on any of the below-
mentioned or other related sub-themes:
Role of Contemporary Indian Educational Institutions in the Promotion of
Basic Religious Education: Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia
Islamia, Osmania University, Jamia Hamdard, University of Kashmir,
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Islamic University of Science and
Technology, Shaheen Group of Education, Prominent Islamic Seminaries
(Deoband, Nadwah, Al-Islah, Al-Falah, etc.), Educational Institutions in
Kerela, etc.
Religious Education at College and University Levels: Challenges and
Prospects
Bridging Religious Education with Vocational Courses: A Survey
Status of Religious Education at School and College Levels: An
Assessment
Coaching Classes for Religious Education: Merits and Demerits
Bridge Courses in Universities for Graduates of Religious Seminaries
Job Opportunities for Graduates of Religious Seminaries
Imparting Basic Religious Education in All Departments of Minority
Universities
Compatibility of Religious Education with Contemporary Education: A
General Study
Training of the Teachers of Religious Seminaries: Need and Importance
Role of Religious Education in Developing Ethical Values
Impact of Secularism on Religious Education in Contemporary
Educational Institutions
Pluralism and Religious Education
Pedagogical Strategies for Religious Education
Religious Education and Global Citizenship
Incorporating Religious Education in Secular Educational Institutions
Teacher Training and Professional Development in Religious Education
Religious Education and National Identity
Religious Education and the Development of Critical Thinking
Role of Religious Education in Shaping Youth Identity
Religious Education in Contemporary Educational Institutions: Policy
and Legal Considerations
Religious Education in Contemporary Educational Institutions: Social,
Political and Economic Challenges
NEP-2020 and Basic Religious Education
Important Dates
Seminar Date 1-2Feb2025
Last Date of Abstract Submission 25/01/2025
Display of Selected List 26/01/2025
Last date of submission of full paper 30/01/2025
GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION
The abstract must be accompanied by a cover page, which should include
the title of the paper, name of the author and his/her affiliation along with
the complete postal address, email address and working mobile numbers.
Word limit is 3000-5000 words for full paper and 250-300 words for
abstract.
Times New Roman; font size 12 regular and headings in bold; line spacing
1.15
Join Group: [Link]
Email for submission:seminarnational1@[Link]
Language: English/Urdu
Format: Paper presenters will be informed about the format at the time of
publication.
CHIEF PATRON PATRON
Prof. Naima Khatoon 1. Prof. M. Shafey Kidwai
Honorable Vice Chancellor Dean,
Aligarh Muslim University Faculty of Social Sciences, AMU
Aligarh 2. Prof. Abdul Hamid Fazili
Chairman,
Dept. of Islamic Studies, AMU
DIRECTOR
Prof. Abdul Majid Khan
Dept. of Islamic Studies, AMU
CONVENOR CO CONVENOR
Dr. Bilal Ahmad Kutty Dr. Safdar Zubair Nadwi
Dept. of Islamic Studies,AMU Islamic Fiqh Academy- India
9419414451
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Prof. Obaidullah Fahad Prof. Ziauddin
Prof. Ahsanul Haq Dr. Aijaz Ahmed
[Link] Malik Khan Dr. Nighat Rasheed
Dr. Imtaizul Hoda
Dr. Zubair Zafar Khan
Dr. Arshi Shoaib
Dr. Rahmatullah
Dr. Lubna Naaz
Dr. Aaesha Sidiqua
Dr. Darakhshan Anjum
