A needless distraction

There is no necessity to make khat a compulsory part of Bahasa Melayu in schools when it is just a form of artistic expression.

IN English, the word ‘khat’ is used to refer to the leaves of an Arabian bush that are either chewed or made into tea. ‘Khat’ is deemed an illegal drug in some countries because the leaves contain an opiate-like stimulant, much like our ‘ketum’.

In Malaysia, khat is the Malay word to describe Islamic calligraphy, borrowed from the Arabic, term ‘khatt Islami’, which means Islamic line, design or construction.

Islamic calligraphy is strongly linked to the Quran and excerpts from the Holy Book of Islam are common for this artistic writing.

Although it is not strictly limited to religious subjects, calligraphy is both an essential element and a highly regarded aspect of Islamic art.

It is precisely because of these links that khat has become the subject of the country’s latest political wrangle.

The controversy erupted after the Education Ministry announced last week that khat would be taught as part of the Bahasa Melayu subject for Year Four pupils from next year.

It is now taught as part of Islamic Studies for Year Six.

No amount of academic justification is going to change the minds of those who see this move as another example of creeping Islamisation in the country’s education system.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the plan to introduce this calligraphy was part of the ministry’s curriculum revision since 2014.

He has since clarified that pupils would not be made to sit for exams to test their khat writing skills, although the subject is included in the Standard Curriculum and Assessment Document (DSKP) as part of Bahasa Melayu.

Describing khat as a “national treasure”, he said the ministry wanted a new generation of Malaysians of all races to recognise and learn the basics of the calligraphy.

Maszlee also described khat as an important part of the Bahasa Melayu heritage, in line with its position as the national language and language of unity.

But is it, really? As outspoken lawyer Siti Kasim has pointed out, khat has never been an integral part of Malaysia’s identity.

The word calligraphy comes from the Greek words kallos (beauty) and graphein (writing). It relates to the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful way.

Some people are wondering why khat should be made compulsory as part of Bahasa Melayu in schools.

If it is to teach the language’s original links to the Jawi script, of what use would it be to non-Muslim students? Why not include khat as an elective subject under Art, which is what it actually is?

The responses from the ministry have not been convincing enough to allay fears and suspicions.

According to author, educator and columnist Azly Rahman, non-Muslims do not welcome khat because it is indeed Islamic calligraphy.

On the minister’s contention that khat is a part of Malaysian life and could be seen in many places, such as in the country and states’ emblems and currency notes, this was Azly’s response his popular blog: “On those banknotes are not khat. They are simple Jawi prints. I know Jawi and I know the difference. Khat is Islamic/religious calligraphy. Not part of ‘Malay culture’. Wrong claim made here.”

He said the idea of “radically revamping” education for a new society did not seem to be of interest to the current government, noting that the issues discussed continued to revolve around race and religion instead of cognition, excellence and the future.

Perhaps, it’s all about politics and the need to please the majority of Malay Muslim voters, in the face of escalating diatribes from Umno and PAS against the Pakatan Harapan government.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would go ahead with the decision in spite of protests from a “small segment” of society.

It’s no piddling issue, though. In addition to DAP and PKR members, many people who voted Pakatan Harapan to power last year are shocked and distraught.

On Monday, 10 Chinese and Tamil organisations called for a halt to the proposed khat introduction pending a thorough study. They urged the ministry to disclose parts of the syllabus and DSKP that would be amended to provide clarification on how khat would be introduced in Tamil and Chinese schools.

They called for all views to be considered and for representatives from Chinese and Indian organisations be included in the review of textbooks to foster better multiracial interaction in schools.

Sadly, the bickering over khat began just days after the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, urged Malaysians to refrain from inciting misunderstanding by raising matters that could undermine and destroy harmony in the country.

In his address following his installation on July 30 as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah stressed that unity and harmony were the pillars and strength of the nation.

Clearer heads are needed to resolve this raging issue. Maszlee’s statement that he is ready to consider proposals for the introduction of other styles of calligraphy apart from khat, sounds like a good solution, provided they are all electives – under the subject of Art.

Media consultant M. Veera Pandiyan likes this quote by Rabindranath Tagore: Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time. The views expressed here are entirely his own.