JEDDAH: Mukhtar Ahmad Al-Maulood, head of the Conciliation Department at the General Court in Makkah, underscored the need for strengthening the religious conviction of Saudi students chosen for scholarships abroad.
“Students should undergo religious orientation programs so that they can live in unfamiliar societies that have conflicting values without compromising their own moral and religious principles,” Al-Maulood told Arab News.
The judge said he became convinced of the need to strengthen the religious sentiments of students — particularly of those who go abroad shortly after finishing secondary school — after his visit to Australia last Ramadan (September).
“I am convinced of the need for the religious rehabilitation of Saudi students selected for scholarships abroad after my visit to Australia. While discussing the difficulties faced by Saudi students, Sheikh Tajuddin Al-Hilali, former mufti of Australia, related to me some of his painful experiences. For instance, Al-Hilali said once two drunken Saudi students were brought to the Islamic Center by a taxi driver. Unfortunately, the students were totally nude,” Al-Maulood said.
The judge said young students were more vulnerable to temptations than older ones.
He also warned against sending students abroad without educating them on the rules and regulations of the host countries.
“Many students I met at an Eid dinner in Australia told me about the hardships new students suffer because of their ignorance of Australian regulations,” Al-Maulood said. The students also complained that they did not have any resources to refer for information about the problems that they faced, he said.
The judge added that the students said they needed some facilities such as a club where they could occasionally gather and discuss their problems.
Al-Maulood said a lack of strong religious convictions would make the students easy prey to deviant groups.
