The Muslim community in the country has been urged to allow their children to develop through exposure to holistic education.
They have been advised to embrace both religious and secular education to enable them improve their socio-economic status in the country.
Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, says Muslim children should gain knowledge of both religious as well as secular subjects.
Mvurya says embracing holistic education would help create the opportunity for Muslim children to get an education that imparts skills, knowledge and values.
Mvurya was speaking while engaging with religious and local leaders during the Musabaqah al-Quran and graduation ceremony at Markaz Darul Quran in Ramisi Ward, Msambweni sub county of Kwale.
Mvurya underscored the critical role of religious education in shaping the character and development of children, commending the dedication of religious teachers and acknowledging the invaluable guidance by parents in inculcating both education and moral values.
Mvurya urged Madrassa schools (Islamic religious institutions) to teach and preach basic morals which would have a positive impact on society.
He urged religious and secular school students to remain morally and spiritually upright and focused to have a bright future.
Mvurya underscored the need for parents to take seriously their responsibility of training their children to become morally upright adults who will set examples for others.
He urged parents to caution their children against the bad influence of social media especially Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp stressing that good moral conduct and honesty would make a decent society.
“It’s the responsibility of parents and guardians to instill good manners in their children,” he said and warned parents against prioritising child bearing but ignoring instilling discipline in them.
The Cabinet Secretary urged parents to create time out of their busy schedules to have close personal relationships with their children with a view to seeing how well they are growing.
Mvurya said it is high time men noted that they have to play a big role in the upbringing of children instead of leaving the same to their spouses, teachers and religious leaders.
According to the CS, the society is in turmoil because the foundation of human societies, the family, is in shambles as parents, particularly fathers, have neglected their duties of shaping their children to become good people who will relate conscientiously and peacefully with others around them.
Mvurya emphasized that intentional parenting rooted in Islamic teachings can successfully shape children into responsible, God-fearing individuals who contribute positively to society.
Speaking separately, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani says fathers should be sensitized on child upbringing saying the financial role of provider in the family is not enough.
Governor Achani urged parents to embrace effective parenting strategies aimed at raising morally upright and responsible youth.
Achani was speaking when attending the annual Madrassatul Munawar Hafla at Tiwi Chai in Matuga Sub-County.
“I encourage the youth to maintain their enthusiasm and dedication to Islamic education as it fosters moral excellence,” she said.
She stated that parents are the first role models for their children hence wield significant influence through their actions and words.
“Parents should exemplify positive behavior and serve as beacons of moral guidance,” she said, adding that good parenting is key to combating moral decadence in society.
Achani said all and sundry have a big role to play in achieving an upright society by instilling good values for our children.
“Kenyans of all faiths cannot do without values and so we must invest in religious institutions that will provide good values for our children.”
By Hussein Abdullahi
