Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• shahla jaafari ¹
• farzaneh hajighasemi ²

¹ Arabic Language and Literature, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

² Arabic Language and Literature, University of Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Iran's rich cultural diversity contrasts with its predominantly monocultural education system, leading many students to lack in-depth knowledge of other cultures and hindering social adaptation and integration. Recognising textbooks as pivotal in cultural education, this research examines three first-grade Arabic textbooks titled Arabic, the Language of the Qur’an through the lens of multicultural education. The study evaluates how these books represent multicultural education indicators, given their influence on shaping learners' personalities and cultural understanding. Notably, no prior research has explored the multicultural aspects of first-grade Arabic textbooks in Iran. Utilising Shannon Entropy to assess the significance of multicultural education indicators and the TOPSIS method for multi-criteria decision-making, the findings reveal that the textbooks do not fully integrate multicultural education, with uneven distribution of indicators. While attention is given to celebrities and historical places, other indicators receive less emphasis. The disability indicator emerged as particularly impactful within the studied books. Ranking based on the integration of multicultural components places the seventh-grade textbook first, followed by the eighth and ninth grades. This reflects varying degrees of multicultural education integration across grade levels. The research highlights the need to enhance multicultural education in curricula, especially in representing diverse cultural elements and underrepresented groups. Improving the incorporation of multicultural education can better prepare students for participation in a multicultural society, promote social cohesion, and provide equal educational opportunities for all.

Keywords

• Multicultural Education
• Textbooks
• Arabic Language
• Preparatory Stage