News:

On January 4, 2015, Berita Harian (Daily News) reported cases of bullying occurring among students. This has actually become viral on social networking sites and even through the phone application, WhatsApp. What is more worrying now, bullying is not just happening among students of tertiary institutions and secondary schools but has also been detected among primary school pupils. Not only that, bullying also involves girls dressed in ‘baju kurung' (decent attire) and hijab who unashamedly kick and beat their peers or juniors. The President of the National Parent-Teacher Association Collaborative Council, Assoc. Prof Datuk Ali Hasan, stated that the public including parents, teachers and the community should not feel being in the ‘comfort zone' especially when there are people proclaiming that the problem is under control, while in reality it does exists. He claimed, "It's an alarming scenario. If recently, bullying only happened among secondary school students, at present even primary school pupils are doing it. Before this, only boys carried out bullying, but now even female students do it." In an effort to overcome the problem of bullying in schools, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) suggested that the Ministry of Education create the post ‘Head of Discipline Teachers' in schools. This teacher will receive training in terms of legal and psychological aspects in handling discipline problems including bullying in schools.

Comment:

Once again, early in 2015 we have been shocked by bullying cases among primary school students. Although the percentage of bullying cases reported is still small in number because most cases occur not during class sessions or outside of the school, but statistics certainly show an increase every year. According to Datuk Sufa'at Tumin, Education Ministry Deputy Director-General (Education Operations), the exposure of negative things and elements in the internet as well as in films is one of the factors that contribute to bullying cases in schools. Therefore, in-depth study must be carried out regarding the effectiveness of education and the environment of the community as well as influence from the mass media. From a study conducted by the Research Management Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, factors of revenge and to show empowerment received the highest percentage. This data shows that the students failed to instill Islamic values or morals in themselves which is also an indicator regarding the failure of the education system applied today. The syllabus used in the current education system is incapable of forming noble personalities among students.

Supposedly education is the main essence in forming noble and outstanding Muslim personalities. In the educational system offered by Islam, the Islamic creed (Aqeedah) is the core principle that must take precedence. Forming faith, piety and noble personalities will be the main focus to be self -embedded in each and every student. Halal haram will be used as a benchmark in carrying out all acts. This benchmark itself will be a guideline for the students and the community to always ensure their life events are in the right path of faith (iman) and piety (taqwa). Hence, Islamic education will produce Muslim personalities who obey Allah, adhere to His commands and leaves what He prohibits. The Islamic teachings will not only be memorized but learned to be applied, become a benchmark and solution in overcoming all the problems of life.

My dear brothers and sisters, all of those mentioned can only exist through the implementation of the Islamic laws comprehensively. Indeed this will become a reality under the shade of the Caliphate system, al-Khilafah "Caliphate" ar-Rashidah ‘ala minhaj an-nubuwwah ordained by Allah and guaranteed to return through the glad tidings of Rasulullah (pbuh).  Nonetheless, what is vital is that we actively involve ourselves in this noble cause to actualize the Khilafah "Caliphate" as an evidence of our faith and a ‘provision' in facing Allah, the Almighty during Yaumul'Qiyamah (the Hereafter).  Allah (swt) stated in the Holy Quran;

((يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَابْتَغُواْ إِلَيهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ))

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed." [Surah Al-Maidah: 35].

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Sumayyah Ammar

Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir