Perhaps our most important task is to due justice to the quality of Mercy that was revealed in the Qur'an and exemplified in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him). We need to restore to the center of consciousness the amazing truth that our Creator is infinitely compassionate, forgiving, and generous.

We need to concentrate on the development of our truest nature and this can only be accomplished by finding our right relationship with God. We must therefore make the study and development of human nature the focus of education. Our reference point here will be the explicit Qur'anic teachings regarding the human being as God's khalifa endowed with the full palette of divine qualities.

Islam is about the intimate relationship between the human and the divine, a relationship characterized outwardly by dynamic submission and inwardly by intimacy with God. The Qur'an speaks often about remembrance (dhikr) as the foremost practice. Education should uplift us and develop the capacity for sustained remembrance of Allah.

The pedagogy of Islamic education must catch-up with the contemporary mental make-up. The educational levels of human beings today cause them to ask different kinds of questions. Therefore we need to offer a new and satisfying rationale for faith based on understanding, which we have no doubt that Islam can provide.

Muslims should see themselves not as a victimized minority, but as a unifying factor among the world's communities. We can assume an inclusive perspective, and educate people toward loving relationships, gender sensitivity, acceptance of religious pluralism, ecological awareness, community spirit, and awareness of the Divine.