TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious affairs minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin has said he will improve the image of Prophet Muhammad in Islamic education as the Prophet is shown as one who likes war rather than being tolerant and loving.
"Based on the research carried out by the Department of Research and Development of the Ministry of Religious Affairs it is understood that students have learned about the Prophet as an individual who likes war rather than other good deeds," he said before attending the commemoration event to mark the 15th anniversary of Roushon Fikr Foundation in Jombang, East Java, Saturday.
Education materials used in classrooms narrated more about battles involving the Prophet such as the Wars of Badr and Uhud, while other sides of the Prophet like his teachings about love and tolerance were less exposed, the minister, who is a politician from the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP) said.
This kind of education has been worsened by the inflow of negative global cultures including those carrying violent content through games and films to slowly but surely ensure that the violent culture is instilled in the minds of the school children, he said.
"This is what we are trying to improve thoroughly to explain the real character of the Prophet," he said.
His office would design formulation about religious lessons that would make the younger generation understand more the core of the religion, Minister Lukman said.
With regard to Islam, efforts need to be made to develop a moderate Islam in line with the meaning of Islam linguistically which is salvation, he said. In other words Islam must be developed not as an extreme religion.
"The substance is that a religion must be able to bring welfare to all human beings and make men as men by upholding their esteem," he said.
ANTARA
