Incorporating Tasawuf In Education Aligned With Technological Challenges - DPM Fadillah

KUCHING, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The proposal to reintroduce value-based tasawuf (Sufism) into the national education system should be considered to cultivate an ethical and responsible society in facing the challenges of the technological era and artificial intelligence (AI), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Fadillah, who also serves as Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the matter will be discussed with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to evaluate its suitability for reintegration into the current curriculum or teaching syllabus.

“We are in the process of revamping the curriculum and teaching syllabus, so this is an opportune time to consider the proposal, especially as current challenges are driven by technology, particularly AI.

“We must instil ethics and values in society, because even with technological advancements, we have to act responsibly, guided by principles and core human values,” he told reporters at the state-level 2025 Fikrah Siddiq Fadzil 2.0 Seminar here today.

Fadillah said reintroducing elements of tasawuf education is important to teach the younger generation to understand Malaysia’s multi-religious society and the consequences of their actions.

“We want our children to be nurtured from an early age to understand cultural values that align with the diverse backgrounds of our society. Everything we do has implications, and that is what they need to grasp,” he said.

He said that even if tasawuf cannot be introduced as a formal subject, it can still be incorporated into co-curricular activities or student character development programmes in schools to instil values aligned with the country’s culture and background.

Earlier, in his opening speech, Fadillah emphasised that the true strength of a nation lies in its ability to humanise society through values of compassion, justice, and knowledge, rather than merely through physical or material progress.

He said the Malaysia MADANI concept focuses on integrated development that prioritises not only economic and technological progress but also the moral and spiritual well-being of the people.

“In Sarawak, the harmonious coexistence of diverse races, religions, and cultures demonstrates that true unity stems from mutual respect and appreciation of differences. This is a foundation that must be instilled in every aspect of education and national development,” he added.

-- BERNAMA