Islamic Education in Afghanistan

Abstract

In Afghanistan Islamic education takes place in mosques, madrasahs, and Qur'ān schools as well as in Western type of schools (primary and secondary schools). The most common institution for Islamic learning is the mosque or masjid school where practically all children learn the basics of Islam. Since long, a conflict between the two education systems, Islamic education and Western type of education, exists in Afghanistan. It concerns the state control over Islamic education, girls' participation in education, and the role of Islam in the Western type of education. Two tendencies are visible today: a clear preference for Western type of education and an increasing interest for a complementary Islamic education in addition to the few hours of Islamic subjects taught in primary and secondary schools. Islamic schools for girls have been established in a few places by communities or by the Ministry of Education.