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Senior Muslim's warning over extremism drive
A SENIOR Muslim has warned a plan to target five-year-olds as part of anti-extremism drive "implies there is a widespread problem" in High Wycombe.
Zahid Jawed, spokesman for Wycombe Islamic Society, said the council move - reported in Bucks Free Press last week - could create an "atmosphere of hatred and fear".
More than £400,000 has been handed to Wycombe District Council by the Government to run anti-extremism projects.
In a letter published in Bucks Free Press tomorrow Mr Jawed says: "It would be unfair to punish all the white community if one white person committed a violent crime.
"In the same way we cannot stigmatise the whole Muslim community every time one Muslim commits a crime, and even worse stigmatise five-year olds.
"The fund also inadvertently implies there is a widespread problem of extremism when in fact very few people have ever been involved in such things."
But Catherine Spalton, spokesman for Wycombe District Council, said the authority had been "unfailingly impressed by the willingness of the district's Muslim residents to debate and take action".
She said: "We are very mindful that only a small number of people are actively involved, but terrorist activity has such an impact on all our lives that a responsible and measured approach is required.
"We - and our partners - would be failing in our duties if we did not support the Muslim community in addressing an issue with such far reaching impacts."
The council could have refused the Government's offer but the "responsible approach" was to work with "national experts" she said.
Details of the projects have yet to be announced by the council.
6:28pm Thursday 24th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: johnny, high wycombe on 7:37pm Thu 24 Jul 08
leave the muslims alone, they were very well behaved at the swan on monday
leave the muslims alone, they were very well behaved at the swan on monday
Posted by: influxuk, terriers on 9:34am Fri 25 Jul 08
one one hand i agree with what the chap is saying that you shouldnt really target the whole of them just for the odd terrorirst incident - but on the other hand (in my opinion anyway) if you live in a country as advanced as this one and choose believe in such an outdated and false religion you have to expect these things....thats just my opinion by the way (before i get blasted by racism banter like usual)
one one hand i agree with what the chap is saying that you shouldnt really target the whole of them just for the odd terrorirst incident - but on the other hand (in my opinion anyway) if you live in a country as advanced as this one and choose believe in such an outdated and false religion you have to expect these things....thats just my opinion by the way (before i get blasted by racism banter like usual)
Posted by: sr on 9:38am Fri 25 Jul 08
Why target 5 year old Muslims? Educate ALL young children - hasnt anyone heard of white people converting to Islam? Plus it could be useful for other young people who could be vulnerable to any religious cults/sects that are extremist. 5 years old does seem a little young, though!
Why target 5 year old Muslims? Educate ALL young children - hasnt anyone heard of white people converting to Islam? Plus it could be useful for other young people who could be vulnerable to any religious cults/sects that are extremist. 5 years old does seem a little young, though!
Posted by: David St, High Wycombe on 10:04am Fri 25 Jul 08
In quite alot of recent cases it is people converting to Islam that have been involved in terrorist threats, I agree that all 5 year old should be made aware.
In quite alot of recent cases it is people converting to Islam that have been involved in terrorist threats, I agree that all 5 year old should be made aware.
Posted by: Elmo, High Wycombe on 10:31am Fri 25 Jul 08
Equally we should not stigmatise all chavs because one hoody wearer has nicked a car; or all adenoidal, town centre backpackers just because Ivor's such a wind bag. I would even bet that some Range Rover drivers actually use their motors for the transportation of livestock; so we mustn't call them all planet hating, penis envyists and some emo kids might actually have a healthy relationship with their parents, so they're not all depressing suicide jockeys.
It really does take all sorts but muslim aren't the only ones getting pigeon-holed.
Equally we should not stigmatise all chavs because one hoody wearer has nicked a car; or all adenoidal, town centre backpackers just because Ivor's such a wind bag. I would even bet that some Range Rover drivers actually use their motors for the transportation of livestock; so we mustn't call them all planet hating, penis envyists and some emo kids might actually have a healthy relationship with their parents, so they're not all depressing suicide jockeys.
It really does take all sorts but muslim aren't the only ones getting pigeon-holed.
Posted by: missy, high wycombe on 4:01pm Fri 25 Jul 08
the majority of these terrorists are often converts to the religion, however, they are taught extremism and instead of being taught the 5 pillars [believing in One God, Prayer, Fasting, Charity and Pilgrimage] the only thing drummed into them is Jihad, and fighting to die as a martyr. So surely the problem is this extremist ideology they are brainwashed with, not Islam.
As for educating 5 yr olds....waste of time, by looking at the ages of those who committed the evil acts, its clear that teenagers and those in their early 20's are the ones being targeted by the extremists, at an age where they are vulnerable, and trying to find a sense of belonging.
Come on people, a little bit of common sense and tact is all that is needed to try to tackle this problem, not educating 5 yr olds who just want to be jumping on a trampoline whilst the weather is this good!!
the majority of these terrorists are often converts to the religion, however, they are taught extremism and instead of being taught the 5 pillars the only thing drummed into them is Jihad, and fighting to die as a martyr. So surely the problem is this extremist ideology they are brainwashed with, not Islam.
As for educating 5 yr olds....waste of time, by looking at the ages of those who committed the evil acts, its clear that teenagers and those in their early 20's are the ones being targeted by the extremists, at an age where they are vulnerable, and trying to find a sense of belonging.
Come on people, a little bit of common sense and tact is all that is needed to try to tackle this problem, not educating 5 yr olds who just want to be jumping on a trampoline whilst the weather is this good!!
Posted by: Iftikhar, Forst Gate London on 9:55pm Fri 25 Jul 08
Muslim Schools
London 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.
Slough Islamic school Trust Slough had a seminar on Muslim
education and schools in Thames Valley Atheltic Centre. The seminar was
addressed by the education spokesman of MCB. I could not attend the seminar
but I believe lot of Muslims from Slough and surrounding areas must have
attended. Very soon, the Muslims of Slough will have a state funded Muslim
school but there is a need for more schools. A day will come when all Muslim
children will attend state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim
teachers as role model.
Muslim schools are not only faith schools but they are more or less
bilingual schools.
Bilingual Muslim children need to learn standard English to follow the
National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve
humanity. They need to be well versed in Arabic to recite and understand the
Holy Quran. They need to be well versed in Urdu and other community
languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of
their literature and poetry.
Bilingualism is an asset but the British schooling regards it as a
problem. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not
want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. Pakistan is only seven hours
from London and majority of British Muslims are from Pakistan.
More than third of British Muslim have no qualifications. British school
system has been failing large number of Muslims children for the last 60
years. Muslim scholars see the pursuit of knowledge as a duty, with the
Quran containing several verses to the rewards of learning. 33% of British
Muslims of working age have no qualifications and Muslims are also the least
likely to have degrees or equivalent qualifications. Most of estimated
500,000 Muslim school-aged pupils in England and Wales are educated in the
state system with non-Muslim monolingual teachers. Majority of them are
underachievers because they are at a wrong place at a wrong time.
Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual
Muslim teachers during their developmental periods. There is no place for a
non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. As far as higher education
is concerned, Muslim students can be educated with others. Let Muslim
community educate its own children so that they can develop their own
Islamic, cultural and linguistic identities and become usefull members of
the British society rather than becoming a buden.
We are living in an English speaking country and English is an
international language, therefore, we want our children to learn and be well
versed in standard English and at the same time well versed in Arabic, Urdu
and other community languages. Is there anything wrong with this approach?
It is not only the Muslim community who would like to send their children to
Muslim school. Sikh and Hindu communities have started setting up their
schools. Last week. British Black Community has planned the first all black
school with Black teachers in Birmingham.
Scotland's first state funded Muslim school could get the go-ahead within
months after First Munister Alex Salmond declared he was sympathetic towards
the needs and demands of the Muslim community.
Iftikhar Ahmad
London School of Islamics Trust
www.londonschoolofis
lamics.org.uk
Muslim Schools
London 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.
Slough Islamic school Trust Slough had a seminar on Muslim
education and schools in Thames Valley Atheltic Centre. The seminar was
addressed by the education spokesman of MCB. I could not attend the seminar
but I believe lot of Muslims from Slough and surrounding areas must have
attended. Very soon, the Muslims of Slough will have a state funded Muslim
school but there is a need for more schools. A day will come when all Muslim
children will attend state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim
teachers as role model.
Muslim schools are not only faith schools but they are more or less
bilingual schools.
Bilingual Muslim children need to learn standard English to follow the
National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve
humanity. They need to be well versed in Arabic to recite and understand the
Holy Quran. They need to be well versed in Urdu and other community
languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of
their literature and poetry.
Bilingualism is an asset but the British schooling regards it as a
problem. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not
want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. Pakistan is only seven hours
from London and majority of British Muslims are from Pakistan.
More than third of British Muslim have no qualifications. British school
system has been failing large number of Muslims children for the last 60
years. Muslim scholars see the pursuit of knowledge as a duty, with the
Quran containing several verses to the rewards of learning. 33% of British
Muslims of working age have no qualifications and Muslims are also the least
likely to have degrees or equivalent qualifications. Most of estimated
500,000 Muslim school-aged pupils in England and Wales are educated in the
state system with non-Muslim monolingual teachers. Majority of them are
underachievers because they are at a wrong place at a wrong time.
Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual
Muslim teachers during their developmental periods. There is no place for a
non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. As far as higher education
is concerned, Muslim students can be educated with others. Let Muslim
community educate its own children so that they can develop their own
Islamic, cultural and linguistic identities and become usefull members of
the British society rather than becoming a buden.
We are living in an English speaking country and English is an
international language, therefore, we want our children to learn and be well
versed in standard English and at the same time well versed in Arabic, Urdu
and other community languages. Is there anything wrong with this approach?
It is not only the Muslim community who would like to send their children to
Muslim school. Sikh and Hindu communities have started setting up their
schools. Last week. British Black Community has planned the first all black
school with Black teachers in Birmingham.
Scotland's first state funded Muslim school could get the go-ahead within
months after First Munister Alex Salmond declared he was sympathetic towards
the needs and demands of the Muslim community.
Iftikhar Ahmad
London School of Islamics Trust
www.londonschoolofis
lamics.org.uk
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