Muslim Council of Britain Lists Demands of British Public Schools
Professor Tim Brighthouse, the chief advisor to London schools, was set to attend the MCB presentation, a sign some see as "deeply worrying," as it may fuel fears that the demands are made with government approval.
"The presence of Tim Brighouse implies Government backing of this report," says Tory MP Greg Hands. "This is very worrying." Adds Terry Sanderson, from the National Secular Society, the report is a "recipe for disaster."
"The MCB shouldn't try to force its religious agenda on children who may not want it," he continued. "The Government needs to send the MCB packing. Schools should be about teaching, not preaching."
Riling opponents even further is the fact that the report, titled "Towards Greater Understanding - Meeting the Needs of Muslim Pupils in State Schools," demands that schools should ban all pupils, not just Muslim students, from what the report deems "un-Islamic activies." Activities which would be included in the ban are dance classes, co-ed swimming, co-ed school trips and art classes which include the drawing of human figures.
Ramadan - the Muslim holy month - is given even greater treatment. Swimming, should it be allowed in general, would not be allowed under the demands of the new report. This is explained under the premise that eating and drinking, which are not allowed during daylight hours, could be hard to police, should a student accidentally swallow water from the pool.
One other part of the report sure to cause outrage from concerned parents and administrators is the demand that, while non-Muslim children should learn about Islam, students from Muslim families should have the right to withdraw from any lessons dealing with Christianity of other faiths. The Muslim Council of Britain says this special treatment is necessary to avoid Muslim children from feeling left out of school lessons and activities.
The MCB, which claims to be the mouthpiece of Britain's 1.5 million Muslims, does not appear to be speaking for everyone. Dr. Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain claims that "There has been no discussion of these issues," and the Sufi Muslim Council (which claims more members than does the MCB), says the report misinterprets Ramadan. "This is not what Islam or Ramadan is about," their statement proclaims.
Sources:
www.express.co.uk/news_detail.html
education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2017439,00.html
Published by Eric Fleming - Featured Contributor in Technology
I've worn many work hats. I've worked as a choir director and piano instructor. I've worked in a computer lab and a bookstore. I've sold sheet music, band instruments and guitars. I have managed a Google... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentI understand that the Muslims want their children to be able to go to a regular school and still have their religious beliefs, but they need to stop thinking everything needs to change to fit them. If their religious needs aren't being met at a regular school, then they need to find a "Muslim" school such as the ones here in the US (normally referred to as Arabic schools). It's very selfish of them to think that any school system anywhere on the planet should change things to fit their needs. What about the Buddhists and Sikhs? And what about the many different types of Christians, Mormons, Jews, Pagans, Atheists, Jedi Knights...etc? What should they do? Maybe, as a united world, we should begin segregating just like the schools in the US used to be...make everyone happy.