Ukraine, a country located in Eastern Europe, may not often be associated with Islam in the minds of many people.
However, the presence of Muslims in Ukraine has a long and branching history, reflecting the cultural and religious diversity in the country.
In this context, the role of boarding schools such as Darunnajah can be a valuable resource in strengthening Islamic education and understanding in Ukraine.
Islam in Ukraine: History and Presence
Although the majority of Ukraine’s population adheres to Orthodox Christianity, Islam has also existed in this country for centuries.
Some sources suggest that Islam has been present in the country since the 7th century.
The majority of Muslims in Ukraine are Crimean Tatars, who are a Turkish ethnic group living in the Crimean peninsula.
Additionally, there are smaller Muslim communities in other regions of Ukraine, especially in major cities such as Kiev, Lviv, and Odessa.
The Muslim community in Ukraine faces challenges in maintaining their identity and religious practices, especially after the fall of the Soviet Union.
However, in recent years, there have been positive developments in terms of education and the development of Islamic institutions in Ukraine.
The Role of Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School in Islamic Education in Ukraine
Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School has the potential to make a significant contribution to the development of Islamic education in Ukraine.
Here are some contributions that this boarding school can provide:
- Quality Education:
Darunnajah is known for its quality education that combines Islamic values with a modern curriculum.
The boarding school can help improve the standards of Islamic education in Ukraine by providing comprehensive and relevant educational programs.
Darunnajah was once chosen as the educational institution for cadres from Afghanistan and served as an example of an Islamic educational institution for Afghan leaders.
This was initiated by the mandate given by Vice President Jusuf Kalla (currently a member of the board of trustees of Darunnajah University) to Darunnajah to receive a delegation of the Afghan peace council in 2017.
- Teacher Training:
Darunnajah can provide training and guidance to Islamic teachers in Ukraine to enhance the quality of their teaching and their understanding of the religion.
This can be done through workshops, seminars, and other training programs.
This has been done for teachers from Kalamullah Al-Qur’an, Pattani, Thailand, as well as teachers from Sri Utama International School Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Research and Development:
Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School has the potential to become a center for research and development in Islamic studies in Ukraine.
Through collaboration with universities and other research institutions, this boarding school can contribute to a better understanding of Islam in Ukraine and the challenges faced by the Muslim community.
Darunnajah has conducted extensive research in the field of boarding school management and development, such as waqf management, productive business units, information technology systems, and waste management.
More than 450 boarding schools have benefited from the research and development conducted by Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School.
- Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue:
Darunnajah can play a significant role in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue in Ukraine. By fostering understanding and tolerance among religious communities, this boarding school can help build a more inclusive and harmonious society. Darunnajah has established cooperation with Holy Family Catholic School (HFCS) Keighley Yorkshire, England since 2006 and it continues to this day. Additionally, Darunnajah has organized the 6th Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue between Indonesia – Austria (IAIID) in 2017. It has also served as a venue for dialogue with cross-religious state guests from Ethiopia and many others.
Hope for the Future
With increasing awareness of the importance of Islamic education in Ukraine, there are significant opportunities for boarding schools like Darunnajah to make meaningful contributions to the development of the Muslim community in the country.
Through collaborative efforts between boarding schools, the government, and civil society, we can build a brighter future for Muslims in Ukraine, where Islamic education and understanding become an integral part of everyday life.
Writed by: Muhammad Irfanudin Kurniawan
Translated by: M. Zein El Fikri