Animashaun Taofiq

The seasons that come with adulthood🙂 How are you navigating this season of life? I’d love to hear your experience. Share with me in the comments.

One of our sisters enrolled her daughter in a well-known Christian secondary school, undoubtedly one of the best schools in the area. The girl was in the junior secondary classes and lived in the boarding house. As a result, she stopped attending Madrasah, no longer wore her ḥijāb, and was not allowed to fast during Ramaḍān because of the school's policy. She also began learning Christian hymns and participating in Christian prayers. Despite repeated counselling, the situation continued until it became evident that, within a relatively short period, the girl had almost completely adopted the religious practices and outlook of the school. Realising the seriousness of the situation, her parents eventually withdrew her from the school. Without any disrespect whatsoever to Christians or Christianity, it is important to recognise that Christian schools have their own values, beliefs, and traditions which they sincerely seek to impart to the children under their care. They are not necessarily being unfair by maintaining their religious ethos. After all, parents who choose such schools generally do so knowing the character and identity of the institution. It would therefore be unrealistic to expect those schools to alter their programmes to accommodate every family's religious expectations. Mutual respect requires us to acknowledge these realities and make informed decisions, especially when our faith is a central part of our lives. For this reason, unless there are compelling circumstances, Muslim parents should carefully consider the long-term religious implications before enrolling their children in institutions whose ethos may conflict with Islamic beliefs and practices. If, upon reaching adulthood, a child freely chooses another faith, that is a personal decision for which they bear responsibility. However, while children are still under their parents' care, Muslim parents have both the right and the responsibility to provide them with a sound Islamic upbringing, nurture their religious identity, and instil a firm consciousness of their faith.