ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the Malaysian National Islamic Studies Education (ISE) curriculum with a focus on its philosophy and content using Ornstein and Hunkins', Tyler's and Tauhidi's curriculum frameworks. A curriculum framework consists of curriculum foundations – philosophical, historical and psychological, that relate to learning theory and social issues; curriculum domain – common, important knowledge in the field; and curriculum theory and practice. In general, a curriculum comprises the philosophy, content or knowledge, methodology and evaluation. The ISE aims to produce a Muslim who is knowledgeable, a firm believer, skillful, performs good deeds and is morally excellent based on the standards of the Holy Qur'an and the Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad. The chapter examines the Malaysian primary and secondary ISE curriculum using curriculum principles as framework for analysis. The secondary ISE curriculum content is designed to meet the needs of every Muslim student in terms of his or her fard kifayah obligations for life in the world.
