Educational landscapes in the East. How colonialism, nationalism and Islam have influenced and influence education in the Arab world
Simona Savelli
The short essay that follows stems from the desire to deepen the dynamics involved in the Arab world, in the belief that in so much of them education is playing a key role. From the beginning it is obvious that, in these dynamics, social and cultural components are closely linked to economic and political factors. The definition of the territory itself can only take place according to the perspective used by the observer. Aware of these premises, we delve into these educational landscapes using a particular connecting thread. First of all we address the development of educational systems in those States that for historical and geographical proximity we could consider next (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco), starting from colonial education, passing through the development of a national school system, up to the rise of private schools. Then we focus on the controversial issue of religion and we wonder what role Islamic education has taken on in the Arab world in recent history. In this regard, we analyze the choices made and the unfolding of events in countries such as Tunisia and Egypt, which are overlooking our same Mediterranean Sea, from their independence in the 50s, up to the revolutions of the Arab spring of 2011 and 2013. Finally, we track actuality investigating the moves of the Egyptian University of Al-Azhar, which with its mosque, it is currently considered by many, if not one of the highest religious authorities in the Muslim world, an indispensable point of reference in this area.
Keywords
Islamic Education, Arab World, Middle East, Maghreb.