Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Makassar`s City Council has proposed a bylaw to make proficiency in the reading and writing of Koranic texts a compulsory condition to enroll at local schools.

"Under this bylaw, anyone who wants to be admitted to elementary and high schools must be able to read and write Koranic texts." the legislation`s proponent, Muzakkir Ali Djamil, said here Wednesday.

Would-be students were thereby required to show a Koran reading and writing proficiency certificate when enrolling at elementary and high schools in Makassar.

The bylaw was proposed in accordance with Islam`s shariah law which , according to Muzakkir, was now being increasingly ignored.He noted that similar bylaws were already in force in other regions such as Bintan Island, Riau Islands, where they had proven to be quite effective.

"The draft of the bylaw and its academic application has already been prepared by a team of experts from several Islamic universities in Makassar," he said. (*)

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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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