Parvaneh Rezaei - Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Azad University of Azad Shahr, Golestan, Iran,

During the last century, there have been critiques targeted at methodology related to teaching and learning of Islamic studies, in particular towards the failure to effectively respond to the challenges brought by contemporary needs in this modern world. As a religion embraced by one fifth of the world’s population, there is a real need for Islamic studies to re-vamp its methodology and approach in order to ensure its continuous relevance and as a response to the demands exerted by the globalization and presented by the modernity. Since the late ۱۹۷۰s, Islamic scholars have seriously discussed this failure and have suggested a multitude of action plans to address the weakness. This paper discusses various stands taken by Islamic scholars in this issue and suggests ways to improve the method of teaching and learning of Islamic studies.

Islamic critical thinking; islamic education; islamic studies; modernity.