Islamic Education for Muallafs in Malaysia: A Management Perspective for PERKIM Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Managing education is a challenging task especially when it involves adult education where the content of the learning is new to the learners and the approach to the learning process can be a daunting one. Within such a scenario, this paper explores the management of the education of Muallafs, or the Muslim converts in the state of Selangor, Malaysia in the attempt to understand further the education efforts by the relevant bodies tasked at monitoring the welfare and well-being of the converts. The aims of the study are to understand the management challenges faced by the Muslim Welfare Organization Malaysia or better known as PERKIM (Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia) and the teachers in their efforts to educate the Muallafs where the educational efforts may require more novel approaches and the usage of technology may now become pertinent. This study addresses the management perspectives of administering Islamic education as PERKIM as the management body of the Muallafs is tasked at ensuring the educational needs and welfare of the Muallafs are taken care of effectively. Using the qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were carried out with the managers of PERKIM, and the teachers employed by PERKIM to understand their views on educating the Muallafs. Essentially, purposive sampling method used was able to select key informants who provided in-depth perspectives of Islamic Education for the Muallafs. The study posits that the direction of the management must come from the understanding of the Islamic Education Philosophy and Islamic Management fundamentals. It is acknowledged that further study may be required to detail out the the specific elements of management and this will further add to future scholarly contribution in the area.