Childhood Education in Islam and Christianity

The question before us is what sort of religious education is offered to young children both in the Church and in the Mosque? If the religious education taught in the two institutions is wrong, there is every reason for the followers of the two religions to be wary of each other.  But if the religious content, philosophy and methodology are sound, there is therefore need for calm and trust. Truth rather suspicion, fact rather than fiction, trust rather fear are necessary and conditional for a healthy community.  Jesus made a profound statement that “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” (John 8:32).  It is imperative to know the truth about the subject content, methodology and the philosophy of religious education as offered by the two major religions of our time.  Failure to know the truth about Islam and about Christianity can lead to a nervous and potentially destructive situation.

And why should we study religious education for 5-12 years old children?  It is in that age-group knowledge is acquired, attitudes are formed and character is enhanced. The child in that age is trusting.  Both religions, Christianity and Islam, give intensive religious education to children. Religious education providers are convinced that winning the mind of a child at that tender age succeeds to keep the child in the faith for a lifetime.

That conviction was recently demonstrated at the inauguration of the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa on the 14^th August, 2007. His Royal Highness, Prince Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismailia Community, said that early childhood education is important in unlocking the potential of pupils at an early age.  Sharing knowledge can be traced to the roots of Islam.  He argued that priority should be given to schools that prepare young children for future life for “Evidence accumulates steadily showing that an investment made in the earliest, pre-school years can bring enormous dividends as a child proceeds from one level of learning to another.” (Daily Nation, 15^th August, 2007).

Christian educationists have built the philosophy of early childhood education on the principle “Train a child the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).  With the above convictions, much energy, time and resources are devoted by both religions to give the child religious tools with which to survive in the increasingly aggressive world.  In the two religions, children in that age-group are taught religious truth about God, man, and environment to inculcate sound faith and grounding for the child to live a life of holiness, godliness, piety, and responsible humanity to either the Muslim or the Christian child.  For each religion, the teaching is executed in a strictly Muslim or Christian environment.  Teachers do everything possible to safeguard the child against religious contamination.  The child needs pure religion from the teacher.