Tuesday, 12 May 2026
FRANKFURT | INDATANEWS.COM – The board of the Indonesian Mosque Frankfurt, together with the Indonesian Muslim community in Germany, has launched the Fitrah Based Education (FBE) program. The initiative aims to introduce children to the foundational values of Tawhid (the oneness of God) from an early age through a developmentally appropriate, play-based learning approach that aligns faith, belief (Iman), and religious practice with a child's natural growth.
The FBE approach places strong emphasis on introducing children to the basics of Islamic belief during their earliest developmental stage. Core teachings include the introduction to Allah, the Prophet, and fundamental tenets of faith.
Tito, a representative of the Indonesian Mosque Frankfurt, explained that children aged 0 to 7 learn best through imagination and play. For this reason, education during this period must be flexible, engaging, and experience-based.
"From ages 0 to 7, a child's fitrah is play, and imagination is highly active. That is why we deliver Tawhid through playful methods," Tito said.
A Fitrah-Based Educational Framework for Children
Tito emphasized that FBE is not designed to burden children with abstract religious concepts but rather to support their natural developmental process. Learning is intended to be organic, joyful, and meaningful.
Play-based methods, he noted, also stimulate dopamine release, which enhances emotional engagement and strengthens memory retention of religious teachings.
"Imagination and natural movement are highly developed during early childhood," he added.
Faith Dialogue and Love for Allah
According to Tito, combining play with dialogical faith learning helps children develop a positive emotional connection with Allah and the Prophet. He also highlighted the educational sequence that prioritizes belief before formal Quranic study.
"We learn faith first before learning the Quran. Then the Quran strengthens that faith," Tito said, citing a hadith from Ibn Majah.
The ultimate goal, he added, is to cultivate sincere love for Allah so that children practice religion out of inner conviction rather than obligation.
Implementation of the FBE Program in Frankfurt
Sufiyati Nur Fadlah, also known as Auntie Ufi and the program coordinator, explained that FBE activities take place at the Indonesian Mosque Frankfurt, located at Strahlenberger Weg 16.
The program is held three times a week and includes multiple learning sessions. One session focuses on Arabic literacy, while another emphasizes Islamic creed (Aqidah) and ethics (Akhlak), as well as stories of the prophets.
"The learning materials include Aqidah, Akhlak, and prophetic stories," Sufiyati said.
Active and Play-Based Learning Model
Participation ranges from three to 28 children, especially during major Islamic celebrations such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
Sufiyati applies an active learning model that integrates cognitive exercises, creative crafts, and motor skill activities such as balancing games, ball throwing, and movement-based play.
This approach allows children to internalize Islamic values in a natural and enjoyable way.
Education Rooted in Love and Natural Fitrah
Sufiyati expressed hope that the FBE program will nurture a deep love for Allah and the Prophet among children. She believes that a love-centered educational approach is more effective than traditional methods often perceived as rigid or burdensome.
"Every human being is not born empty; Allah has already instilled fitrah within them," she said.
She also referenced Islamic teachings on human responsibility as khalifah on Earth (QS. Al-Baqarah: 30) and highlighted modern neuroscience findings that emphasize emotional learning during early childhood development. (IDNC)
CONTRIBUTOR (FRANKFURT): Purwati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
