It appears that, before we witness a return to a path aligned with humanity’s progress towards openness and liberation from the constraints of puritanism, there is an observable surge in religious influence, particularly from groups like the Brotherhood, Juhaymiyyah, Sururism, Salafism, and other similar factions. It seems that certain parties are well aware of the prevailing political climate and are seeking to exploit it to their advantage. Ibrahim Al-Otaibi, Assistant Undersecretary of Endowments for the Holy Qur’an Affairs and Islamic Studies Sector, has expressed plans to increase the salaries of Quran memorizers and expedite the payment of rewards for outstanding performance. However, this announcement raises concerns about the number of students involved in memorization lessons.
According to Al-Otaibi, there are supposedly 40,000 male and female students attending these lessons in various homes. This figure, if accurate, is alarmingly high and raises doubts about its credibility. If the number is indeed incorrect, those responsible for reporting it should be held accountable and relieved of their positions. On the other hand, if it is accurate and the main motivation for these students is the financial reward, those behind this idea should be held accountable as well, as it would indicate a misuse of state funds and a moral compromise in the pursuit of financial gains. If there is any manipulation or exaggeration of these numbers to secure more funding, it is unacceptable.
Furthermore, if the number is correct, the situation remains concerning as it is unclear how such a significant percentage of the population, including boys, youth, and even middle-aged individuals, are enrolling in Quran memorization lessons, despite having already received Quranic education in state schools for many years. It is worth considering whether these centers are mainly attended by non-Kuwaitis, as this could shed light on potential issues with the dedication and commitment of the teaching staff.
Cooperation to bend or ignore working hours while still receiving a full salary raises questions about the effectiveness and seriousness of these centers. In light of the abundance of online resources available for Quran memorization, there might be a better approach to tackling the issue. Rather than relying on physical institutes and memorization houses, promoting digital literacy and empowering individuals to learn independently could be more beneficial. The concentration of memorization centers in specific areas, such as Saad Al-Abdullah, Al-Qairawan, Abdullah Al-Mubarak, West Abdullah AlMubarak, Al-Qusour, Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City, Al-Mutlaa, and Jaber Al-Ahmad, raises questions about the rationale behind this distribution.
Additionally, managing 200 centers requires a substantial administrative apparatus, and it is unclear whether such a setup is truly necessary. The ministry’s supervision of summer clubs focused on Quranic studies also raises concerns. There are allegations that these clubs are heavily influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood and serve as breeding grounds for future cadres. Age-based observations suggest that these organizations target individuals from an early age, further emphasizing the need for scrutiny and caution. Overall, the lack of attention and accountability for what is happening in these centers and roles, including potential administrative issues and the potential negative impact on young minds, could lead to a disaster that has been ignored for too long and may now be challenging to control.
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e-mail: [email protected]
By Ahmad alsarraf
