Contemporary Curriculum Design for Higher Education: An Islamic Appraisal

Education is a key to developing positivity in human beings. It helps to become a good citizen. In Islam, education has a central role that every Muslim must seek. Islamic education is centered on the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Quran is revealed in Arabic, therefore sources of the teachings of Islam are in Arabic. It is the religious duty of the Muslim Ummah to learn Arabic and have command in it. The Quran is the only Book that provides complete guidance to humanity, whether the matters related to social life, economic matters, political issues, or religious life. Keeping this in view, the curriculum should also be prepared in the light of the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Focusing on the contemporary curriculum design for Islamic studies for higher education, this paper describes the missing material in the existing curriculum and suggests that the use of modern resources, arranging conferences, and an expansive transformative framework for Islamic studies are the key tools for its implementation. It stresses the curricular designers to approach the existing curriculum more comprehensively which covers Islamic Law, comparative studies, contemporary trends in world traditions, peace dialogue, and practical involvement of students too. This goal can be gained through amendments or revising the existing curriculum. The outcome of it will results in students' critical thinking, positivity, comprehensive knowledge, language proficiency, and character building.

Multiple Biomarker Approach for the Assessment of Genotoxicity in Major Carps Treated With Domestic Waste and Industrial Effluents Discharge Through Chakbandi Drain into River Chenab, Pakistan

In this investigation, composite drain water concentrations were collected from five selected sites of Chakbandi drain in the month of April, May and June, 2016. These composite drain water concentrations were applied to fingerling’s of selected fish species namely, Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala in laboratory conditions. LC50 were determined and sub-lethal dilutions i.e. 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% of drain water were tested for acute toxicity trial from April to June, 2016. All the water quality parameters i.e. DO, pH, temperature, conductivity, TDS, salinity, TSS, BOD and COD and ten selected heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Mn, Cd, Co, Ni, Sn, Hg, Zn and Pb) recorded from drain water were found to be above the admissible limits as suggested by FAO/ WHO. Bioaccumulation of these ten heavy metals in the muscle tissues of fish species revealed highly significant variations. Cirrhinus mrigala showed the higher level of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in their muscles when compared with Labeo rohita and Catla catla. Among all the treated fish species, Catla catla showed the maximum growth performance with respect to Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. The control fish showed more growth performance than the treated fish group. Maximum mean WBCs were recorded from Cirrhinus mrigala whereas minimum from Catla catla. Similarly, minimum level of RBCs, Hb, HCT and MCV were recorded from Cirrhinus mrigala in comparison with treated and control groups. In this study, DNA damage was quantified in the fish peripheral erythrocytes through different types of damaged cells. Maximum frequency for DNA damaged cells was measured in the erythrocytes of Cirrhinus mrigala than Labeo rohita and Catla catla. Cirrhinus mrigala exhibited the maximum average tail DNA length and average tail moment when compared with Labeo rohita and Catla catla. Maximum mean total no. of cells with micronuclei and maximum micronuclei frequency was recorded in erythrocytes of Cirrhinus mrigala than Labeo rohita and Catla catla. When histopathological analysis of control and treated fish was compared, control fish manifested the normal structures than treated fish which reflected various alterations with respect to liver, kidney, gills and muscles. Conclusively, all the multiple biomarkers performed the reliable role for the evaluation o environmental pollution.Furthermore, multiple biomarker findings are conducive to an early prognosis for environmental management and may assist us in planning strategies to minimize the ecotoxicological impacts of pollutants reaching in freshwater reservoirs, aquatic fauna, particularly fish and indirectly human populations.