Towards Developing Contemporary Education Theory

Abstract

With the increased interest in Islamic countries to adopt a way of lifebased on Islamic law, the need has intensified for practical and scientificIslamic alternatives to social and economic problems facing the world ingeneral and the Islamic nations in particular.Most countries of the world are undergoing severe education crises andreform is especially needed in education. The education systems in manycountries have failed to develop the individual in relation to social andhumanistic goals. Educational systems in the Islamic countries have beenmostly modeled on those of Western countries. As a result, these Islamiccountries are undergoing dual crises. First, the adopted education systemshave had a severe impact on many aspects of daily life in the Islamic countries.Second, the adopted education systems frequently counter Islamic goals andideals.Numerous thinkers and intellectuals in Muslim countries have emphasizedthe role of education in building a balanced and integrated individual personalityin society. Hundreds of books were written discussing these issues. Variousconferences were held to restore educational thought from the Islamic heritage.The effects of these efforts has resulted in emphasizing the successful roleof Islamic education in shaping the person, rebuilding society, and contributingto civilization.Education in modern society plays an important role in training humanresources to bridge the economic gap between the developed and developing ...