Salaam

Muslim children have been attending state schools for tha last 60 years. They have been suffering from Paki-bashing and bullying. Majority of them have been leaving schools with low grades. They have been leaving schools without learning their cultural and linguistic skiils. The result is that they do not know where they belong. They suffer from Identity crises. Now Muslim youths are victim of terrorism. Thousands of them are being searched in streets and hundreds of them are behind the bar without any trial.

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.

There are hundreds of state and church schools where Muslim children are in majority. In my opinion, all such schools may be designated as Muslim community schools.

Bilingual Muslim children need 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 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.

A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not want to become notorioulsy monolingul Brit.
Iftikhar Ahmad
London School of Islamics Trust
www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

I need to tread with care, this fisherman knows about baits.
Its something I can not win.
But is it true?
Are Muslims being so badly treated in our schools?
Well its a chance kids can be cruel.
And they love to copy mum and dads words.
But separation?
Is that an answer?
I strongly think not.
If it is happening we MUST stop it.
group education is not a threat.
I see it as a promise, proof we can live together.
Seen the photos of kids from so many country,s in school?
No sir/madam I do not agree.
If you are right Multi culture,ism is doomed.
Yes fully aware of church run schools do not agree with them.

Hello to you too, Iftikhar Ahmad,

I'm unclear because you refer to Brits in your
opening post, and you've signed yourself as
being from the London School of Islamic Trust,
whether you talking about Muslim children in
State Schools in Britain or in Australia?

I'm not familiar with the situation if the UK,
so I can only speak about Australia. Here we
have many privately run - religious schools -
to which parents can choose to send their children.
Including Muslim schools, where the child will get
the focus that the parents desire.

State schools of course, don't provide a select education.
Their emphasis is broader.

I imagine that its the same in the UK.

In other words, if you want a certain type of education
for your children - you have to be prepared to pay
for a private education. The state can't afford to
cater to every parents wishes for their children.
It's a choice that parents must make - whether to
send their child to a public school, or a private,
more specialised school that will cater to the
requirements that the parents want for their child
to achieve.

I'm afraid that the choice is up to the parents to make.
Unless of course you happen to live in an Islamic
country.

While understand the issues that any non anglo white and anyone who doesn't fit readily into the "assumed socially accepted" definition goes through I can't support the suggestion in this topic.

With over 200 nationalities as many religions including denominations, sects and variations on a theme all with similar claims it is simply unrealistic to expect others (the tax payer) to pay for separate schools a minority like Muslim at under 5% of the population.

I also question the assumed cause and effect relationship 'Muslims get picked therefore they leave schools early therefore we need separate schools. I would suggest that is an overly simplistic analysis that wouldn't stand under close examination.

Nor does this separate mentality solve the underlying problems...That of the children fitting in and maximizing their future chances.
I would suggest that the route cause is discrimination it's self and that should be reduced to manageable levels.

I would also point out that there are many reasons for the discrimination ranging from group dynamics, fear of changes, pressures from the home and community. Tragically 1st and some 2nd generation migrants find that they fall between both cultures and suffer accordingly. These environment or the host country V 'home' cultures can exacerbate a difficult situation.

I believe that managing the discrimination and helping the children deal with 'both worlds' is a far smarter solution.
What this country doesn't need is some notion of racial, creed differentiation be institutionalized.
Not withstanding this doesn't mean assimilate or spend no more on these children than the standard Aussie . it is a matter of greatest need and in my mind these children are of extreme need of help

as a duchie,..i learned the truth of the dutch saying..what the parents say in their home..their kids say in the streets,i was picked on because of my dutch name..and poor english skills..in the end i learned we cant run away from what we are

we as parents can try to control our childrens lives..but in the end they have to learn to make their own way, parents are reluctant to change[as they have their own peer system..just as the kids will develop theirs]

its hard to give advice to others,because you can say what you like[and they will still be doing as they do]..by the time i had finished grade three,my parents had enough of this english system[and they[we all returned home[only to find egsactly the same thing,this time i was ridiculed because of my poor dutch skills

anyhow in time we emagrated back to australia[and i began highschool,again copping stress from my peers..for another 4 years of education..i essentially grew up without peers[i still have none]..

im still not sure what anyone can say to change things that are as they are]..i would say that i learned mostly who i am..in the end that is all that matters

as to advice i would say you need a student exchange system[where kids having trouble are sent back home, briefly to know their roots and culture..then let them decide,..where they would rather live

see that parents have their own reasons for leaving..just as kids need a reason for wanting to learn..clearly thye kids not learning cant see the value[oppertuinity they have been given..but being intelligent beings must be shown the alternatives..[so they too can decide who/what/where they want to be]

if kids are failing to value education there dosnt seem much to lose sending them home..so they too can see why their parents chose to live where they live...

it is said it takes three generations to fully get the hang of the new country..its hardest on the 2 generation..[you must fully comprehend the stress on them..[as the beginning point to any real change]

Dear Iftikhar,

I forgot to mention that many of the ethnic communities
in Australia have their own Saturday morning schools -
where the teachers are from their community and teach
the language, history, and culture of that community.

The subjects taught greatly assist students in
understanding the history and culture of their ancestors.
Also the languages learned - often help in gaining
extra points in their High School Certificates - and
give them an edge in gaining more points when looking for
acceptance to a university.

Most sizeable ethnic communities in Australia have such
week-end schools. And, based on application and meeting
the necessary criteria, obtain moderate government
funding.

It may be worth your while to investigate this possibility
in the region you are located. Otherwise, if Muslims
don't have these week-end schools currently, it may be
worth while suggesting that they look into the matter.