European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

Islam and Education from Religious Man’s Perspectives 379
our religious values. One Imam pointed out that according to a research he read recently, each Japanese
reads approximately 70 books a year and each American reads about 60 books a year whereas each
Turk reads about 4 books a year. This proves our ignorance as a society. Our ignorance is not related
with our religion.
Our Lost Values
Imams were then asked whether we are starting to loose any of our values? Which ones? Why? All
Imams thought that we are loosing many of our values. One of them answered this question by raising
another question: “Do you think still there is any value we haven’t lost?” and this question can be
interpreted as we lost all our values. Imams all agreed on that the youth lost the value of respect. They
all complained about the youth claiming that they neither respect their parents nor elder people. They
lost the feeling of love as they started not to visit their relatives during religious days, bairams. Imams
added that the youth see European countries’ people as example for themselves and admire them for
being so free. They lost their customs and traditions, started to ignore the value of neighborhood.
Finally, Imams all complained that the youth do not help each other, feel sorry for each other and most
important of all do not respect each other.
How can we gain our Lost Values?
Then Imams were asked what can be done by the religious establishments to overcome this problem
and they offered some solutions. They suggested that the families should warn their sons and daughters
for the dangerous results of behaving irresponsible and should mention the beauties of our religion to
their children. The religious education should be continuous and regular in schools. The religious
establishments should organize seminars, conferences, workshops to inform our society about the
beauties and the requirements of our religion. Coffee hours can be organized in religious
establishments and parents should be invited to discuss the problems of youth within a cooperative
atmosphere. TV programs, magazines and newspapers can spend more time and space for the religious
issues by highlighting the negative results of behaving inappropriately such as too many deaths in car
accidents caused by alcohol.
The Percentage of People who attend the Mosques
Imams were asked whether they have realized any increase or decrease within the number of people
who attend their mosques in the recent years and if yes they were asked to make comments on the
reasons behind this. The data indicates that the majority of Imams pointed out an increase within the
number of people who attend their mosques in the recent years and the reason behind this is given as
the increase in the number of workers from Turkey who come to work in construction companies and
the number of university students from Turkey and Arabic countries who are all Muslims. Imams
believe that although the students who come here to study in universities are economically satisfied,
they feel a spiritual hunger. There is a very beneficial dialogue especially between our young Imams
and students. Due to the increase in evil, some people started to find hope from God. Imams feel that
they have got very strong relationships with those who attend their mosques. One final reason given by
Imams was the opening of border gate to South Cyprus. Imams predicted that, observing Greeks who
are more devoted to their religion, affected our people in a positive way.
However, the rest of the Imams claimed a decrease within the number of people who attend
their mosque in the recent years and they predicted the richness of people as a reason behind this
decrease. According to Imams, the richer the people are, the more away from religious establishments.
So the increase in economical growth is seen as a factor for a decrease in religious values. According to
the descriptive statistics: