Zahrawiyya Program as a Model of Integrated Islamic Education for Women in Malabar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38073/aijis.v4i2.5816Keywords:
Muslim women education, integrated education, Zahrawiyya, MalabarAbstract
Traditional Muslim women in Malabar were striving to find appropriate avenues for Islamic higher education without being deprived of modern education in the late 20th century. During this period, boys had greater access to higher education through the system of Islamic colleges, while opportunities for Muslim women remained limited. This situation created a societal need for an educational initiative that could integrate Islamic teaching with modern education for women, which emerged in the form of Zahrawiyya. This study explores the development and significance of Zahrawiyya as an educational response to the needs of Muslim women in Malabar. Employing a qualitative approach, the study draws on both primary and secondary data collected through semi-structured interviews with concerned authorities, direct observations, and document analysis. It examines the program’s historical significance, curriculum structure, teaching and learning methods, and influence on society and the academic world. The findings indicate that Zahrawiyya has provided Muslim women with opportunities to pursue higher education while maintaining Islamic educational values. The program also demonstrates the potential of integrating Islamic and modern education and can serve as a model of integrated education for Muslim women in Malabar.
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