I had spent about 35 years developing and perfecting a technology based plan for the betterment of world society, which over the past 20 years became an Islamic plan, and I had just in the past couple of years begun the final implementation of the plan when I learned that I have a terminal form of cancer and perhaps no more than a year or so to live. I have to admit that I felt totally devastated since I must now fear the prospect that my long years of work may not ever be seen in the fullness of their potential to benefit the ummah by helping bring about a fully and truly Islamic world. 

This plan for a better world offers benefits in many areas of human society, including the educational sector. In a year of preliminary implementation at the Model Islamic School, even at what must be called a low level of implementation, the power of this technology (referred to as the ‘Khalifah Method’) has shown quite positive results. It is of utmost importance that an ideal working model of the Khalifah Method in the school environment be offered as evidence of the potential for positive social change. 

I have considered how it might be on Judgment Day if I were asked if I had really done all I could have done to successfully offer this plan for the fulfillment by human society of the great mercy that Allah offered His ummah when He perfected Islam for us as our way of life. I, of course, fear greatly having to answer on Judgment Day that I did not do all I could have done to offer the knowledge I had accumulated that could have benefit to the ummah. In this possibly last year of my life on earth I want to be sure I do absolutely everything that can be done to successfully leave a working example of the Khalifah Method in practice in hopes that this will be disseminated, replicated and improved upon throughout human society.  

The Model Islamic School has the potential to be a shining example of traditional Islamic belief and practice, combined with a modern scientific understanding of Islamic theology, and a powerful technology of positive social change (all of which constitute the Khalifah Method) being fully integrated into the lifestyle of students in an educational environment and resulting in improved character, improved behaviour, improved academic performance, and improved spirituality. 

I have considered what would ideally need to be done to implement the Khalifah Method in the Model Islamic School, in only one more year, to most fully demonstrate the maximum potential of this plan for positive Islamic change. We now have the opportunity, at this very critical moment in the history of the practice of Islam, to do something of almost unimagined benefit for the future of the Muslim ummah. This is an opportunity we must not pass up. To this end I offer the following suggestions: 

A. Give the students greater control over the implementation of the Khalifah Program. A degree of ‘ownership’ of the Khalifah Program will greatly increase their motivation and commitment to the goals and implementation of the program.

      1. We need to have student Khalifah Trainers - which means older students learn the Khalifah Program and method and then teach it to younger students in a formal learning situation.

     2. All Khalifah classes to be scheduled on the same day or two days (but not at times when there is conflict with other school activities).

     3. Khalifah classes should be scheduled at paired times so that secondary classes will be at the same time as the primary classes that they act as Khalifah Trainers for (e.g. Form 5 at same time as perhaps Standard 5 and 6, and Form 2 at same time as perhaps Standard 2).

    4. Time needs to be allotted for training sessions for student Khalifah Trainers.

    5. Link prefect training and responsibilities with khalifah student trainers, leadership and management skills to be taught according to the Khalifah Method.

    6. Older students (Form 1-5) to be paired as big brothers and sisters with younger students (Standard 1-6). The responsibility would be to be their friend and help them understand their role as Khalifah of Allah and to act as a model of good Khalifah of Allah to the younger children.

B. All groups who have a part in the Khalifah Program need to have a greater degree of motivation to learn about and implement the program according to the Khalifah Method.

1.     In selection of students, parents and teachers we need to be selective on the basis of motivation in regard to love of Allah, desire to improve the Muslim ummah, and willingness to support the use of the Khalifah Method to raise children to be the very best Muslims they can possibly be. The formal signing of a ‘contract’ has important positive psychological implications resulting in greater commitment on the part of the person who has signed the contract.

a.      Children should be required to express their interest in participating in the Khalifah Program in their life and educational process and sign a contract before enrolling in School.

b.     Parents should be required to sign a behavioural contract regarding their commitment to the Khalifah Program, and willingness to learn about and implement with their children the Khalifah Method in their home (something like the behavioural contract previously proposed) to get the opportunity to have their children in the Model School.

c.     All teachers should he given contracts and asked to sign an acknowledgement based on their willingness to learn about and teach according to the Khalifah Method with commitment.

d.     The ‘minimum’ use of the Khalifah Method would require only the following three easy to understand and easy to implement steps: first, to always focus the participants on their role as Khalifah of Allah; second, to frequently follow positive behaviour of the participants with some form of positive reinforcement (reward); and third, to set firm guidelines for participants and consistently enforce these guidelines with kind discipline.

2.     We need to reduce teacher turnover, which is very detrimental to both the image and effectiveness of the school, and to the continuity of the Khalifah Program. Teacher salaries have to be considered, if you want to keep good teachers you need to pay good salaries. To get and keep the best teachers may require the highest salaries, but this need may be reduced somewhat because we offer a special benefit to Muslim teachers, and that is the opportunity to be part of something very important, InshaAllah, to the future of Islam.

a.      We need to seek alternative funding sources since we are attempting to be a model school, not a business for profit school. A model school project must receive outside funding beyond the funds parents pay to have their children in the school.

b.     The khalifah Project should use model program funds to supplement teacher salaries about RM200 per month. This would generate much goodwill toward the Khalifah Project on the part of the teachers, would motivate the teachers to learn more about and implement the Khalifah Program, would meet some immediate financial needs of teachers, and would not require any commitment on the part of Model School to maintain that effective pay rise in the future.

c.     Get agreement of all concerned parties to help seek supplementary Khalifah Model School Program funding for at least one year.

d.     Review number of teachers needed and ensure efficient use of teacher time and abilities.

C.     All groups who have a part in the Khalifah Program need to have training available which allows them to learn more about the khalifah Program and how to implement the Khalifah Method.

1.     Offer formal training opportunities for all students, teachers, parents, and other staff (attendance to be obligatory)

2.     It is of particular importance that the Principal, headmistresses and other relevant administrative staff gain a thorough understanding of the Khalifah Program and method and to be REALLY supportive of it.

3.     Some training (at least an overview) should be provided for all cooks, secretarial staff, maintenance staff, cleaners and security personnel so they at least have some idea what is being attempted at the Model Islamic School and how to relate to the children as Khalifah of Allah.

4.     Sufficient time needs to be planned and allotted for training students, teachers and parents, and others in all aspects of the Khalifah Program and method.

5.     Students should have at least one formal Khalifah Class per week.

6.     Every class should have at least one teacher who is qualified to teach the Khalifah class.

7.     There should be at least one Khalifah Training Class for teachers each month.

8.     There should be at least three Khalifah Training Courses for parents each year.

9.     Attendance at all classes and courses is to be compulsory, and agreed upon in the contract signed.

10.  Consideration to the time and emotional needs of participants in all Khalifah Classes must be given. We want happy participants.

11.  All Model Islamic School staff should attempt to relate to each other on the basis of the Khalifah Method.

12.  All teachers need to give much more emphasis to reinforcing the student’s awareness of their Khalifah role and Khalifah knowledge in the classroom during all lessons, not just during Khalifah sessions.

13.  Teachers should relate every subject taught to the children’s role as Khalifah of Allah.

14.  Prefects to include reference to Khalifah activities in their written oath.

15.  Directors of the Model Islamic School to participate in some of the Khalifah organized activities.

D.     The Khalifah aspect of the Model School should be given prominence as it is the truly unique feature of the Model Islamic School educational program, that it offers the greatest potential for large scale success, and that it can prove to be an attraction that will bring significant support to the Model Islamic School as it is and will enable large scale expansion of both the school and method in the future.

1.     Make Khalifah Method officially the ‘tool’ to be used to implement ALL aspects of the Model Integrated Islamic Program. The Khalifah Method in its simplest necessary form would entail only the following three easy to understand and easy to implement steps: first, to always focus the participants on their role as Khalifah of Allah; second, to frequently follow positive behaviour of the participants with some form of positive reinforcement (reward); and third, to set firm guidelines for participants and consistently enforce these guidelines with kind discipline.

2.     Name the integrated Islamic curriculum, “The Model Khalifah Curriculum”. This is important for reasons of ‘product’ identification and for later proprietary ownership purposes.

3.     Get agreement of all concerned parties that we are attempting to development an integrated Islamic curriculum that will ultimately be instrumental in helping to perfect world society according to the Will of Allah.

4.     Teachers, parents, and students who wish to participate in the Model Integrated Islamic Program must understand that we are attempting to development an integrated Islamic curriculum that will ultimately be instrumental in helping to perfect world society according to the Will of Allah and formally commit to directly helping to achieve that goal.

5.     The Khalifah Method is to be used in all Model school programs, specifically the academic, the physical, the co-curriculum, the social, and the spiritual.

E.      We need to have agreed upon school rules for all concerned parties, students, teachers, parents, and staff that are consistently applied with kind discipline. 

1. Set up a student/teacher committee to decide upon the rules for Model School (to be approved by directors and administration)

F.      The Khalifah Lodge staff will fulfill the following responsibilities:

1.     An informative, motivational, and inspirational khalifah message at every morning assembly.

2.     The development of a Khalifah ‘pledge’ for students.

3.     At least 200 posters (most hanging type) appropriate to Khalifah activities per month. Posters to be put up in Khalifah Lodge, classrooms, hallways, office areas, and assembly hall.

4.     Khalifah team to have motivation meetings each month.

5.     Khalifah staff to develop personal relationships with students.

6.     Khalifah staff to maintain lodge cleanliness and orderliness.

7.     Khalifah staff to relate to each other on the basis of the Khalifah Method.

8.     Khalifah staff to develop good personal relationships with teachers and other staff.

9.     Khalifah staff to update parents on the activities and campaigns carried out by the school and khalifah team.

10.  Khalifah staff to develop a Model School monthly newsletter.

11.  Develop activities for parents to participate in the support and implementation of the Khalifah Program in the Model Islamic School. School.

12.  Organise a ‘motherhood’ program for non-working mothers.

13.  Students to help Khalifah team put up posters throughout the school and to help maintain the condition of the posters.

14.  Have additional monthly activities such as friendship month or family month to increase positive feeling and harmony in the student’s lives.

15.  Have a yearly Khalifah field trip to a venue where people need care such as a – handicapped center, an old folks home, or an orphanage.

16.  Develop some creative Khalifah related activities such as – poetry and essay competitions, colouring contests, guided drawing contest, or origami and puppet making.

17.  Have a Khalifah of the month award (based on character campaigns) to encourage students to become an ideal Khalifah. Teachers and/or students to decide who gets the award. Award to be given to four levels. Tahap One – Primary 1, 2 & 3: Tahap Two – Primary 4, 5 & 6: Lower secondary – Secondary 1, 2 & 3; and, Upper secondary – Secondary 4 & 5.

18.  Develop twice yearly motivational programs for secondary students and upper primary students.

19.  Organise a Khalifah family day.

20.  Have daily activities, readings, and story times in the Khalifah Lodge for students after school.

21.  Make sure materials are made available for students, teachers, parents and other staff to allow them to gain a full knowledge of all science and philosophy behind the application of the Khalifah Program.

22. Develop government level curriculum materials (published book) to enable Model Khalifah curriculum to be implemented at schools throughout the country.

 G.    MAKE SURE ALL ASPECTS OF THE KHALIFAH PROGAM ARE CARRIED OUT AFTER HAVING BEEN AGREED UPON.

 H.    We must find a way get funding for the implementation of a one year idealized the Model Khalifah Program. The amount required sounds like a lot but what is offered if we succeed is beyond monetary value.