International Day of Education

The world marks 24 January as the International Day of Education. On this occasion, the Global Nonviolence Organization Freemuslim pauses for reflection and issues an urgent humanitarian appeal grounded in the principles of the true Islamic faith, whose message began with the command “Read”. Islam thus regards knowledge as a moral obligation and ethical responsibility before it is a civil right.

The organization affirms that education is not merely a means to obtain certificates or improve livelihoods; rather, it is the foundational pillar for confronting extremist ideology and the most powerful instrument for spreading a culture of nonviolence and peaceful coexistence within Islamic societies that have long suffered from the ravages of war and ignorance.

The State of Education in Islamic Countries

The organization observes with deep concern the serious challenges facing the education sector in many Islamic countries, particularly those burdened by armed conflicts or severe economic crises. Its perspective can be summarized as follows:

  • The Right to Education for All:
    The organization stresses the necessity of guaranteeing the right to education for all segments of society without discrimination. It emphasizes that depriving women or minorities of education in certain regions under flimsy pretexts constitutes a flagrant violation of the essence of Islam and the values of the modern age.

  • Quality of Curricula and a Culture of Peace:
    The organization calls upon governments and educational institutions in the Islamic world to review school curricula, purify them of discourses of hatred and exclusion, and replace them with curricula that promote critical thinking, acceptance of others, and the values of social peace.

  • Protection of Educational Institutions:
    The organization condemns the targeting of schools and universities in conflict zones and demands that educational institutions be neutralized from political and military disputes, and recognized as sacred “safe zones.”

  • Digital and Knowledge Literacy:
    In light of rapid technological advancement, the organization urges Islamic countries to bridge the digital divide to ensure that emerging generations are not left behind in the global march of civilization.

On this occasion, the Global Nonviolence Organization Freemuslim reminds all that investment in human intellect is the only investment that never incurs loss. Neglecting education in Muslim societies means opening the doors wide to ignorance—an environment in which the seeds of violence and terrorism readily take root.