N.O.R.F Posted February 7, 2007 Row over Saudi school textbooks A Saudi-funded Islamic school in west London has been accused of using textbooks containing offensive remarks about Christianity and Judaism. Allegations about the Arabic books emerged when a former teacher accused the King Fahad Academy, Acton, of institutional racism. The school has denied the allegations as "grossly offensive, highly inflammatory and entirely false". Translations of sections of the books were "taken out of context", it said. About 600 children, aged five to 18, attend the King Fahad Academy private school which receives more than £4m from the Saudi royal family each year. 'Worthless religions' The controversy centres on the use of textbooks produced by the Saudi Ministry of Education. The allegations emerged when a British Muslim teacher started a case for unfair dismissal, complaining that he was made to suffer for whistle-blowing allegations of cheating at exams, and suffered discrimination as a non-Saudi. The school denies the allegations and maintains that the teacher was rightly dismissed for misconduct. A textbook dated 2005/2006 allegedly asks the reader to "give examples of worthless religions... such as Judaism, Christianity, idol worship and others". The book also allegedly asks the reader to "explain that those who die without adhering to Islam will go to hellfire". In another textbook for 12 and 13 year olds, dated 2004/2005, the author allegedly says that a Koranic verse, which talks of turning people into monkeys and pigs, is about Jews and Christians. The author quotes an early Islamic scholar as saying: "The monkeys are the Jews. And the pigs, they are the Christian infidels at Jesus's table." These books have good chapters that can be used by the teachers - it depends on the objective they want to achieve Dr Sumaya Aluyusuf King Fahad Academy King Fahad Academy director Dr Sumaya Aluyusuf admitted the textbooks - translated for the BBC Two's Newsnight programme by two independent scholars - were kept at the school. However, she said they were no longer part of the curriculum. "We have these books in our school but they are not taught currently; we teach an international curriculum," she said. She said she would not withdraw them, saying: "These books have good chapters that can be used by the teachers - it depends on the objective they want to achieve." But the translations were "taken out of context" and had "lost some of their meaning", she said. The academy promoted "inter-culturalism and inter-faith awareness", she added. School inspection Louise Ellman MP, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, criticised the "unacceptable situation". "It is incitement... we are in a situation where people are being killed because of extremism. "This is about division and hatred," she said. Ofsted inspected the school last spring and concluded it provided a good Islamic education and knowledge about British institutions and citizenship. It noted that the school did not completely meet regulatory requirements, although no issues about alleged intolerance were identified. Ofsted told BBC News its inspection team included a Muslim Arabic speaker but that not all textbooks would have been examined. source Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aisha Posted February 7, 2007 Louise Ellman MP, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, criticised the "unacceptable situation". "It is incitement... we are in a situation where people are being killed because of extremism. :rolleyes: Here we go again......quotes being pulled out of context and completley twisted to suit them!!I would love a jewish school to be inspected. The book also allegedly asks the reader to "explain that those who die without adhering to Islam will go to hellfire". Whats wrong with that!!! Thats what we, as muslims believe.....which is exactly what the christians and jews believe.....that a muslim will go to hell if they don't follow judaism or christianity! They make me so mad I'm going to go check out the site....maybe there's a comments section..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamster Posted February 7, 2007 I saw the director of the academy on News Night and Baxman hang her up for all the people to see-- she kept going on and no about objective. He asked " do you believe that those who don't believe in Islam will perish in hell"? She tried to dance around the answer and you know what this guy is like; waa udhameeyey nooh. Why didn't she say of course otherwise I wouldn't be Muslim; it is between god and themselves. but you know we don't breech hate against you people jeremy. It is all about community cohesion. Whether you go to hell or not that is between you and the creator; in Britain it is our moral duty to live cohesively with one another. Anyhow, she let us down big time!. Another incoherent mumbling linguistically challenged reprsenting the image of Islam!. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamster Posted February 7, 2007 by the way, that was my school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted February 7, 2007 ^^Really? Another incoherent mumbling linguistically challenged reprsenting the image of Islam!. It seams to be an unfortunate trait we have. If there is a problem we shove a linguistically challenged person in front of the camera with a mic! With Paxman of all people firing shots at them (he is a great shot by the way). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamster Posted February 7, 2007 North; unfortunately we have no say in who represents us-- they are chosen by the powers that be; namely the media and the establishment. Paxman is intelligent man whose intellect failed him to be passive homo! Wal ciyaadu bilaah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khayr Posted February 8, 2007 Why didn't she say of course otherwise I wouldn't be Muslim; it is between god and themselves. but you know we don't breech hate against you people jeremy. It is all about community cohesion. Whether you go to hell or not that is between you and the creator; in Britain it is our moral duty to live cohesively with one another. Is that what she said or what you want her to say? If thats what she said, what would you say faced in the spotlight? Just curious.... One rule of thumb by the way-Muslims and Media don't go together like Oil and Vinegar (i think thats the mixture). Ignore Media requests at all costs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
