Walking on Tight Ropes’-Balancing between Islamic and Modern Worldview: An ethnographic study of Girls’ Madarsa

Abstract

Worldview is an outcome of the total experiences which an individual learns by interacting in different situations. The overall time frame of schooling is a considerable period during which a student observes and experiences several events, and interacts with other individuals from different socio-cultural background. Nature of education and information provided in any institution lies in its philosophical and ideological bases. Madarsa system of Education is deeply rooted with religious education with a limited scope for modern curricula. Present study attempts to explore the phenomenon that how the madarsa and girls try to achieve a balance between the demands of these two conflicting worldviews i.e. religious and modern worldviews (In the present study modern worldview is defined as non-religious worldview, or a-religious worldview.). Though the educational experiences of madarsa girls rarely go beyond religious principles but study suggests that girls‟ experience and interaction with outside world raised a conflict between religious and modern worldviews. Study also emphasizes how Muslim girls coped up with their conflict and avoided tussle between these two worldviews. All the stakeholders of madarsa were conscious about this perceived tension between both worldviews and tried their best to achieve a balance by circumscribing girls‟ role. Interaction with peers and teachers provided girls a wider worldview towards life but with a limited implication for their future.