Forum Topic

State Funded Muslim Schools

The demand for Muslim schools comes from parents who want their children a safe environment with an Islamic ethos.Parents see Muslim schools where children can develop their Islamic Identity where they won't feel stigmatised for being Muslims and they can feel confident about their faith.Muslim schools are working to try to create a bridge between communities. There is a belief among ethnic minority parens that the British schooling does not adequatly address their cultural needs. Failing to meet this need could result in feeling resentment among a group who already feel excluded. Setting up Muslim school is a defensive response. State schools with monolingual teachers are not capable to teach English to bilingual Muslim children. Bilingual teachers are needed to teach English to such children along with their mother tongue. According to a number of  studies, a child will not learn a second language if his first language is ignored. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. Muslims have the right to educate their children in an environment that suits their culture. This notion of "integration", actually means "assimilation", by which people generally really mean "be more like me". That is not multiculturalism. In Sydney, Muslims were refused to build a Muslim school, because of a protest by the residents. Yet a year later, permission was given for the building of a Catholic school and no protests from the residents. This clrearly shows the blatant hypocrisy, double standards and racism. Christians oppose Muslim schools in western countries yet build their own religious schools. British schooling and the British society is the home of institutional racism. The result is that Muslim children are unable to developself-confidence and self-esteem, therefore, majority of them leave schools with low grades. Racism is deeply rooted in British society. Every native child is born with a gene or virus of racism, therefore, no law could change the attitudes of racism towards those who are different. It is not only the common man, even member of the royal family is involved in racism. The father of a Pakistani office cadet who was called a "Paki" by Prince Harryhas profoundly condemned his actions. He had felt proud when he met the Queen and the Prince of Wales at his son's passing out parade at Sandhurst in 2006 but now felt upset after learning about the Prince's comments. Queen Victoria invited an Imam from India to teach her Urdu language. He was highly respected by the Queen but other members of the royal family had no respect for him. He was forced to go back to India. His protrait is still in one of the royal places. There are hundreds of state schools where Muslim pupils are in majority. In my opinion, all such schools may be designated as Muslim community schools with bilingual Muslim teachers. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school.Iftikhar Ahmadwww.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6294d46 Comments

The Koran says: “As for the unbelievers, for them garments of fire shall be cut and there shall be poured over their heads boiling water whereby whatever is in their bowels and skins shall be dissolved and they will be punished with hooked iron rods.”In this country none of us want our children to be taught this at all, and such teachings would be extremely worrying to children. We are told reliably that there are Muslim terrorists in our country. You failed to learn respect from your mother. It's on record that you failed her. Until you earn our respect and until we believe that this threat has gone from our shores, no one  will agree to your rapacious demands. Until you stop insulting the host country which has given refuge to so many, your opinion is worth no more than dust.People like you incite racial hatred and the silent majority of peace loving Muslims who want a new life are angry and disgusted and frightened by the prison of hate you build around them.They turn to the true Islam to avoid the indocrination and dogma and fury which you generate.Your arguments about Catholic schools are specious and reveal your ignorance about their history. You also reveal your ignorance about English education law and try to mislead.If you hate democracy,live abroad.

George Knox ● 6275d

Salaam Muslim community is law abiding, working and paying all sorts of taxes for the economic, social, emotional and spiritual prosperity of the British society. The law of the land has given them the right to demand for state funded Muslim schools and they are not asking for any special favour. There are now over 130 Muslim schools and onbly ten are state funded. The UN and European human right laws give us the right to preserve and transmit our cultural heritage and languages. Muslim community would like their children to learn and be well versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time they would like their children to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultiral roots and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. The fruit of western liberal society is that the number of women treated for alcohal poisoning has increased by 95% in the past five years. Teenage girls treated for alcohal poisoning now outnumber boys by three to one. Increasing numbers of young children have also become victims of "binge drinking" as 98 girls under the age of 14 were admitted to hospital last year. The number of teenage pregnancies along with ant-social behaviour and incivility, knife, gang and gun culture is on the increase. Muslim parents do not want their children to be integrated into such barbarity. Islamic studies is a "Strategic subject" that, when accurately and effectively taught, can aid community cohesion and extremism, according to British Ministers. Islamic studies should be part and parcel of National Curriculum instead of citizenship education so that all school children could learn and understand Islamic traditions and values. The subject must be taught by Muslims. The right to protest is a fundamental democratic right and one the state and police have a duty to protect and facilitate. The Luton demonstrators had every right to vent their feelings on the injustices arising from British and American policies in Irag and Afghanistan. The law of the land guarantees them that right.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6275d

Andrew, a question for you.Do you judge every group in society by the actions of a minority? More anti-Muslim bile from you.Now a question for you Alistair as you come across to me and I suspect many others as all luvvies do IMO, ie quick to condemn, without considering what I actually said, with what you thought I had said, and are apparently myopic on any abuse from these minority Muslim extremists. I have asked you  before what you thought of Iftikhar and his suggestion that, and I quote " That UK teachers are chicken racists (stereotyping?) and have no place in Muslim schools," notwithstanding the other remarks he has allegedly made,you fail miserably to offer any sort of response, I wonder why you have avoided MY questions....perhaps you can't, let us all know WHY NOT?Again AlistairCan I have your thoughts on the following posted by Mr Knox, which apparently does not qualify for ANY comment from you....A tad bias wouldn't you say? Isn't he rubbishing ALL of us, including YOU!!!!!!!! Is this, which I have reproduced below IYO, "Muslim bile" "Stereoutyping " and unworthy of any comment from you..wake up man for Gods sake! We are rapidly approaching a situation where there will be two laws, with only one applying to these people, the other one for those who act within the law.Mr Iftikhar Ahmad says on the internet to a primarily English readership the following:-“SalaamThere is no such thing as Britishness or British values.In my opinion Britishness consits of institutional racism, binge drinking, drug adiction, incivility, teenage pregnancies, abortion and anti-social behaviour. Muslim parents do not want their children to be integrated into such barbarity. They would like to send their children to state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models”.http://blog.prospectblogs.com/2007/09/27/prospects-new-issue%e2%80%94the-search-for-british-values/comment-page-1/#comment-2409Is this not stereotyping then, or is it only me that can be wrongly accused of it?

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6275d

Can I have your thoughts on the following posted by Mr Knox, which apparently does not qualify for ANY comment from you....A tad bias wouldn't you say? Isn't he rubbishing ALL of us, including YOU!!!!!!!! Alistair like all of the luvvies who come on to forums, it would be helpful as a matter of equality, that you come down from your ivory tower, take off your rose tinted glasses and take a look around you. The police pander to the extremist elements, who want to destroy everything that the West has to offer, that is a truer definition of "bile"!.....except taking benefits and many other freebies. I find it strange that  you have no comment at the despicable outrageous behaviour by these morons, when confronting our returning soldiers. As I have said on here and elsewhere, they committed a Public Order Offence and the police failed to arrest them why not?Can you imagine the uproar, if the BNP held a similar "Demonstration" outside a mosque for example. Drop the insults about "bile", you and your ilk are not slow either, in spouting the "racist" and "religious hatred" mantra also, and we are now (not me though)unable, thanks to you and your ilk, to comment on them and their antics. But NO COMMENT from you  either on the other side of the picture.....I wonder why not?The Home secretary has stated again today, that the threat from these extremist terrorists is still extremely high. And the PM has also suggested that we (and you) confront them, I hope the police will also listen to his advice, and arrest anyone causing distress, harrassment, and fear...but somehow I cannot see that happening.

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6276d

Can I have your thoughts on the following posted by Mr Knox, which apparently does not qualify for ANY comment from you....A tad bias wouldn't you say? Isn't he rubbishing ALL of us, including YOU!!!!!!!!Mr Iftikhar Ahmad says on the internet to a primarily English readership the following:-“SalaamThere is no such thing as Britishness or British values.In my opinion Britishness consits of institutional racism, binge drinking, drug adiction, incivility, teenage pregnancies, abortion and anti-social behaviour. Muslim parents do not want their children to be integrated into such barbarity. They would like to send their children to state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models”.http://blog.prospectblogs.com/2007/09/27/prospects-new-issue%e2%80%94the-search-for-british-values/comment-page-1/#comment-2409

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6276d

"More anti-Muslim bile from you."What do you suggest dear Alistair watch while they scream abuse at our soldiers, and as you will see in an earlier reply to you, we have a Muslim MP who has predicted the the UK will be a Muslim state in 30 years, that's what I call "Muslim bile" , you come across as a very naive gentleman. Point out where I have condemned all Muslims please? Don't you and others condemn all of the BNP for the actions of some, which whether you like it or not, is not a banned party.

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6276d

I think you ought to read and digest exactly what I actually said to Ifty. This is a man who suggests that our teachers are "chicken racists" and there is no place for non Muslim teachers in Muslim schools..any comment about this statement Alistair, or is this the way the luvvies of this world operate ie. gag me, and let Muslim extremists walk all over us. Have you forgot 7/7 already not to mention 9/11, the perpetrators (7/7) were born here, and this is what we got as a token of their appreciation was it?Now how about this gem from a Muslim MP who is quoted as saying; Is this your vision too Alistair?March 21, 2009: London, Britain. Labour Party MP Shahid Malik has predicted the total Islamification of Britain and a Muslim prime minister, “Allah willing”, within the next thirty years. If you wish to make a comment a)ensure that you have read it before replying and b)condemn those who wish to destroy our culture, traditions, and way of life as well. And a comment about the scumbags who insulted our troops on their return from Afghanistan...And don't for God sake suggest that they were demonstrating, they meant to cause outrage and it was a Public Order Offence, which the police failed to implement a single arrest, accept two bystanders who were outraged at this abuse of our democracy. If you have forgotten already let me remind you and your fellow luvvie liberal clan what happened, but strange to relate, you apparently found their antics and insults acceptable, as you failed to condemn them......why not? The families of soldiers killed by friendly fire in Iraq have reacted with fury after a firebrand preacher taunted them over the deaths of their loved ones.Anjem Chourdary added insult to the injury caused by Islamic extremists' hate-filled protest against soldiers returning home from the war-torn region by saying they were 'not heroes but closer to cowards who cannot fight, as their uncanny knack for death by friendly fire illustrates'. The three soldiers to whom he was referring - Privates Robert Foster, 19, John Thrumble, 21, and Aaron McClure, 19 - were killed in Afghanistan in August 2007 when an American F-15 jet dropped a 500lb bomb on their position.Choudary's extraordinary comments were delivered hours after Muslim protesters waved offensive placards as members of 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment marched through Luton.The preacher, the right-hand man to cleric of hate Omar Bakri, went on to attack the 'vile' parade. He said the soldiers were 'terrorists', comparing them to Nazi troops who 'cannot be excused for simply carrying out their duty'But he just loves our Welfare state handouts, as does his mate, dear old ABU HAMZA!

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6276d

This man belongs to a generation of hundreds and thousands of people from abroad who asked for a roof, and subsistence - some of which was sent back to the home country. At the time when British citizenship was applied for by Benefits recipients, miraculously a large sum was found from mysterious sources to pay the fee, and the DWP do and did nothing to find the origin of those funds.This charlatan now pushes forward yet another outstretched hand for funds to pay for special schooling, even at a time when the country is broke. He suggests that Muslim pupils would get better educated, - negligent of others who will get a less better education. He thinks that the Treasury is a bottomless pit.What normal parents do, Mr Ahmad, is to go out and work to pay for what they wish to give their children.Masquerading like a poor innocent victim will curry you no favours.I don’t know what he really means by better education. This is because elsewhere on the Internet Mr Iftikhar Ahmad says on the internet to a primarily English readership the following:-“SalaamThere is no such thing as Britishness or British values.In my opinion Britishness consits of institutional racism, binge drinking, drug adiction, incivility, teenage pregnancies, abortion and anti-social behaviour. Muslim parents do not want their children to be integrated into such barbarity. They would like to send their children to state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models”.http://blog.prospectblogs.com/2007/09/27/prospects-new-issue%e2%80%94the-search-for-british-values/comment-page-1/#comment-2409In my opinion this so called doctor is a hypocrite, a cowardly cheat and a fraud. He needs to live in another country where his inflammatory views are not deemed so offensive, and where he can focus on combating extreme barbarity.

George Knox ● 6282d

Never mind their probably isn't an Allah or God anyway and if you wish to educate your children in gobley gook feel free but I do not see why I should pay for it or have my children subjected to it. Its bad enough to see the look of rage on the faces of some teachers when my children refuse to join in with hymns during school concerts they join in fully with the rest of it.

Philip Walsh ● 6282d

Which law?The law is the will of the people who are made up of the majority.The request is seen by the majority as a favour.Independent schools are funded by parents.

George Knox ● 6285d

The demand for state funded Muslim school is in accordance with the law of the land. Muslim community is not asking for any special favour. British Government has declared that any private  independent school could apply for state funding.There are hundreds of state and church schools where Muslim pupils are in majoprity. In my opinion, all such schools may be designated as Muslim ciommunity schools with Muslim teachers.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6285d

Andrew, a question for you.Do you judge every group in society by the actions of a minority? More anti-Muslim bile from you.

Alistair Fergusson ● 6285d

Two points Andrew.1) Not all Muslims are born abroad. We have many British born Muslims.2) England for the English is quite an outdated mantra.

Alistair Fergusson ● 6285d

Mr Ahmed, can you answer these points seriatim?1. The English ecclesiastical courts lost most of their authority over 100 years ago and this was replaced by the jurisdiction of our High Courts. The ecclesiastical courts ended up not being trusted which is partly why they lost their powers. We have the freedom to marry, divorce and to remarry, without now having to be excommunicated from the established Church, or having to be sent to Coventry by the community if women remarry or commit adultery. We do not penalise such people even though we may strongly disapprove. We won’t give up that freedom.2. Women legally were chattels until the late 1800s, in other words they had few legal rights. Like children, they could not make contracts. Marriage for them was often decided by the family. Women did not get the right to vote until about 90 years ago. They won’t give up those freedoms. 3. More recently the financial system militated against women and they found it very hard to get mortgages. Now if they can afford it they get a mortgage regardless of gender. They are free to use any kind of financial product to borrow money. They won’t give up that freedom. 4. British women do not need to cover their faces in order to stop men fancying them. Men do not need to cover their faces to prevent women fancying them. Both genders have freedom of dress styles. Quite a number of Muslim women do not have this freedom in practice, for fear of offending their men or their elders. So they act subserviently to their men, some of who think it perfectly OK to have several wives. (Which is how some men (all unveiled) get around adultery). They do this in a country which strongly disapproves of adultery because partly of its culture going back many 100s of years. Apart from a few vestiges we don’t have matrimonial laws which says there is one law for men and another for women. The wearing of the veil does not stop adultery and so does not prevent the purpose it sets out to do. In Europe the word black is associated with evil. Our women have rightly gained freedom.5. We have an extremely long history of fighting for freedom for this country. Curtailed by the laws of slander and inciting hatred and violence we can more or less say what we want because we have that freedom, for which so many lives were given. Those Muslims who abused our returning soldiers had the freedom of speech. But they were complaining that our men were fighting for the freedom of British Muslims as well as non Muslims in this country. That sort of behaviour makes racism on the part of some of the host country run free. Perhaps you might feel free to prove publicly how you have stood up in your community to oppose this scandalous behaviour. Or don’t you have the freedom for fear of being against your own people?6. We have one system of law, the English Judicial system. We do that because it has grown and been established for nearly 1000 years. Local laws with very few exceptions, have been abolished because they offend the British sense of fairness. We won’t give up the same freedoms across the board. We won’t give up the freedoms of our one law common to all.7. The almighty in this country is known as God. The many Muslims I have known also refer to him in public as God – not Allah. They exercised their freedom to respect  the host country’s culture. You fail to exercise the freedom this country has given you when speaking to the host country readers of this website.8. Democracy is about being ruled by the party that gets the most votes, even though they may be outnumbered by the populace who disagree with them. That is called freedom or the least bad form of tyranny. The Jews the Sikhs the Hindus sign up to that in this country. Where does Islam preach freedom in this country or in many places abroad as a prime objective for modern civilisation started by the Greeks. My impression is that Muslim religion and Sharia law is expected to govern the life of a Muslim, and freedom and democracy takes a second place when there is a conflict. Why conflict with the freedoms of a host country?9. We say “give an inch and someone will take a mile”. I strongly oppose racism, but I strongly oppose the culture of my country and what my UK family history stood and fought for (which I can trace back to the 1200s) being offended.  Is it the mile that what you want? It looks like it.  The Muslim religion is a young religion. You have a lot to learn, starting with tempering your language and teaching in Muslim learning centres that democracy in Britain come first. 10. For these and many other reasons I do not agree with expanding faith schools and gradually they should be phased out. I went to one myself, but it was not necessary. For those who are very religious, then they can set up at their expense their own religious places of worship and learning, but outside tax payer funded school hours. If you want a state faith school that may come later, once the populace can understand the religious teaching agenda of a class of UK immigrants only a few decades old. That is what happened with the Jews.

George Knox ● 6285d

Muslim schools do not take non-Muslim children because there are few Muslim schools and the waiting lists are lengthy.Sounds fair Ifty!............but will non muslim parents be paying for Muslim schools?

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6285d

Vanessa, the accusation that I have been rude to you is wholly without foundation. If you are going to advocate a policy of closing four of the most successful schools in the area you should expect a robust and dismissive response.The argument that the taxpayer should not fund faith education displays that you have a limited understanding of how the education system works in this country. Churches were providing education centuries before the state even thought about it and the existing network of schools was absorbed into the state system. The state works in partnership with the Churches who generally provide the buildings and fund part of the maintenance cost in return for the state meeting other costs. This is a good deal for the tax payer whether they have children attending these schools or not.If you got your wish and the Green School, Gunnersbury, St. Mark's and Gumley House were closed you would have to work out where the money was going to come from to build new schools. Part of it would come from the budget allocated to Isleworth and Syon so you should consider are your rather outlandish ideas really consistent with your responsibilities as a Governor.The idea that denominational schools are divisive is something that was never heard until the last 7 or 8 years which is when school league table started to be publish. All of a sudden it became apparent that faith schools were doing much better than the average. This is certainly not due to selective admission policies as the four schools in this borough serve the children of ordinary working people in this borough many of whom have recently arrived to this country. I asked originally to be given examples of ways in which faith schools divided this community and answer came there none. The reality is that we live in an area where people from a multitude of different backgrounds get on very well together. The recent award to Hounslow Council for Community Cohesion is as much as testament to the positive attitude of local people as the Council's efforts. With probably over half of local school places being in faith schools this entirely discredits the idea that they are in anyway divisive.You seem to be unaware of the many ways of in which different faith communities are coming together in the local area united by their common interests. As a Governor you would be better off looking at why other schools in the areas are outperforming your school rather than advocating their closure. I have heard nothing but good things about Isleworth and Syon and believe it to be an excellent place of learning but however you choose to present the figures it still lags behind these other local schools in academic terms to quite a significant degree.It is quite astonishing that you choose to describe these schools as divisive when you yourself often use this forum to express very hostile views about local faith communities. Nearly everyone in the area gets by quite happily by maintaining a degree of mutual respect for people from different backgrounds to them. The only individuals in this discussion who hold views that are divisive are yourself and Mr. Ahmed.

Mike Hardacre ● 6285d

SalaamIn the 70s, I took my children to a Catholic school, but to my surprise I was refused straight away. Now the same school admits children of every faith or no faith, otherwise, it would be closed down.Muslim schools do not take non-Muslim children because there are few Muslim schools and the waiting lists are lengthy.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6286d

SalaamAccording to Times Educational Supplement, pupils make more progress at Muslim secondary schools than any other type of schools. They are promoting tolerance and support the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.Muslim schools are preparing children and young people to face the challenges of life in modern Britain and also contribute in a positive way to wider society. Muslim children develop self-confidence and self-esteem.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6286d

"There seems to be no moderation of this forum. Shame on those who post such racist rubbish."Change the record for Christ sake this mantra of racism has now become boring. As a matter of equality,any comment about the scumbags who insulted our brave soldiers when marching through OUR town, but there is no kudos for you in condemning them I suspect. This is NOT racist to tell somebody, that if they are unhappy here to go to a place where they feel at home....preferably a country with generous benefits, free education, housing and health care! Can you suggest one for Ifty?

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6286d

Well said Mike.And I went to The Green School when it was a Grammar school.  The Labour Government changed it to a Comprehensive (& Isleworth Grammar!)...but that's another story...Actually our Church schools are part funded by the Church, so they must be saving the taxpayer money.I do not buy into the argument that all faiths should be catered for by the taxpayer and that includes arguement for getting rid of all faith schools - why should we change our history & heritage for a minority?  What a cheek!The people who usually complain about our Church schools are those who would not qualify but are envious of the quality of education.  That's also why our Grammar Schools were downgraded.After all, it cannot be said that children who attend Church are any brighter than those who don't, but the results for Church schools tend to speak for themselves.

Lynn Clark ● 6286d

Is it funded by Iranian taxpayers?

Lynn Clark ● 6286d

All taxpayers fund faith schools but the schools discriminate on entry on the basis of faith. That's unfair and divisive.Whilst I would prefer not to have faith schools, I would be a lot happier if they did not discriminate on entry (and it would be interesting to see the difference in results).I don't think the various faiths should be allowed to fund their own schools because that promotes segregation.As it is, we have a three tier education system rather than a quality system for all.

Kath Richardson ● 6286d

As Chair of Governors at Isleworth & Syon I am very proud of our record, but just as important education should be about preparing students for the world after school and turning out well-rounded, contented individuals. However,this discussion as far as I am aware is about state funding Muslim schools not anything  else. While we fund other religious schools I am hard pushed to see how we can deny another faith the same privilege, my personal view as stated is that we should do away with the lot of them. You are fully entitled to your view, I just don't happen to share it - there really is no need to be so rude.

Vanessa Smith ● 6286d

So we would close the Green School, St, Marks, Gumley House and Gunnersbury probably the best four schools in the borough?What exactly would be the point? We are not an area divided by religion and they are hardly the state sponsored madrassas that Mr Ahmed wants. They deliver free high quality education to local children and are hugely popular as a result. Their role in our community is entirely positive and even parents of a non-Christian background recognise the worth of the strong caring ethos they impart to students compared to the materialistic values that pervade much of the rest of society.The only benefit I can see to getting rid of them would that it would perhaps realise Vanessa's ambition of Isleworth and Syon being the best school in the borough.

Mike Hardacre ● 6286d

SalaamBilingual Muslim children need bilingual Mulsim teachers as role models during their developmental periods, according to western educational theory.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6287d

SalaamBritish schooling is the home of institutional racism because it does not assist pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for other cultures and languages in a way that promotes tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions.Muslim schools are preparing children and young people to face the challenges of life in modern Britain and also contribute in a positive way to wider society. Muslim children develop self-confidence and self-esteem by attending Muslim schools with Muslim teachers. According to TES, pupils make more progress at Muslim secondary schools than any other type of schools. They are promoting tolerance and support the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6287d

"For god's(including allah)sake leave this alone."Yes I agree,this is nothing short of mischieve making,I fear that selective edits of your postings will be used to "educate" young Muslims in the ways of the West...Outrageous!

Tony Wood ● 6287d

For god's(including allah)sake leave this alone.

Keith Iddon ● 6287d

Quite right Vanessa

Kath Richardson ● 6287d

The way forward as far as I am concerned is to have NO faith schools at all. R.E. should only be taught as any other subject to give pupils an overview of all the many faiths in the world to give them some understanding of the differences there are. Anything that divides children in today's world cannot be right, school is for education not religious brainwashing.

Vanessa Smith ● 6287d

Philip, I imagine that if you lived in Tehran and had the choice you would send your kids to the British School there. The curriculum is essentially English SATS and GCSE, though I understand that there is a Dutch stream at the school. I must confess I don't know whether it is Christian or secular.

John Connelly ● 6287d

"There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school.  "OK I'll bite. That's segregation, not integration.

Kath Richardson ● 6287d

The western "values" suggest equality and freedom for all, that means society must allow religious freedom. The Christians and Jews have Church/ Jewish schools as well as kosher meat, yet when Muslims simply ask for the very same treatment,the Islamphobic secular right wing jump up and down screaming that somehow western values have been attacked. The Jews throughout the western world have their own religious courts. Christians have been enjoying the right to be married in Church. Muslims should have the same right to get married in Masajid as well as they need Sharia Courts, dealing in marriage, civil matters and divorce. It is easy to say" Go back to where you came from",but do not forget that British Muslims are actually born and educated here. They are in the unenviable position of trying to combine two diffent worlds. That is no easy. Multiculturalism is not about separation, ghettoisation or balkanisation. It is, instead, a recognition of both diversity and the need for common ground, mutual respect,and cultural engagement. Muslims all over the world never opposed English as a language what they did was opposition of the Western culture and their system of education. In Pakistan, the medium of instruction is Urdu and English and the official language is both English and Urdu. Pakistan is going to send English teachers to Korea for the teaching of English language. Muslim parents would like their children to be well versed in standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. Majority of Muslim children leave schools with low grades because state schools with monolingual teachers are not capable of teaching English to bilingual children.At the same time, they need to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. I am concerned with the education of the Muslim children. It is nothing to do with integration or segregation. Those state as well as Church schools where Muslim children are in majority, in my opinion, may be designated as Muslim community schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school.  Iftikhar Ahmadwww.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6287d

There seems to be no moderation of this forum. Shame on those who post such racist rubbish.

Elisabeth Anne Knight ● 6287d

If you want your children raised with Muslim teachers and in your language then do it in your own country.  Don't come to England, land of the English language and Christianity and want to change its core values.  We wouldn't do it in a Muslim country, we'd live with the choices made to live in said country and accept that it is different culturally and embrace that change.  Educate your children about religion and language at home, let the education system educate them the way of the Country.

Marlo Hale ● 6287d

SalaamLondon School of Islamics is an educational Trust. Its aim is to make British public, institutions and media aware of the needs and demands of the Muslim community in the field of education and possible solutions.Please visit  www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk for more information on this crucial and complicated issue.

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6288d

Well IftyWhat have you got to say about your mates, who stood on our streets and abused our soldiers, both with their posters and nasty tongues, my advice to you and them is, don't try it in America, as if you do, you will get your wish for 17 virgins in paradise quicker than you think/want!

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6288d

What a load of self possessed bigoted crap. Oh aren't us Muslims hard done by. Try setting up a Christian school in Iran and see how well that would go down. I don't believe in any of the one god religions they all spout the same kind of bigoted superiority as each bother and the religious leaders of them all are only interested in dominance and power. Personally I would close ALL religious or faith based schools they are divisive and foster suspicion, resentment and intolerance to others not mutual trust, respect or love that's why they wanted rid of them in northern Ireland.

Philip Walsh ● 6289d

and as Andrew says get out.

Neil Chippendale ● 6294d

Just go away and stop posting this crap.

Neil Chippendale ● 6294d

IftyGive it a rest for God's sake. We have heard it all before. If you are unhappy with us...the exit is not locked!

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6294d