Closing Muslim Schools Would Drive Islam Into A Radical Corner

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday June 6, 2007

Ayaan Hirsi Ali has an axe to grind with the Muslim community and, considering the ignorant practices that she has been subjected to, this is understandable ("To submit to the book is to exist in their hell", June 4). Her response, however, is not productive - it is destructive. Calling for the abolition of Muslim schools and insulting the prophet of one of the world's great religions contributes little in the way of positive solutions to very real problems existing throughout the Muslim world.

The immediate result of closing Muslim schools would be to increase the control of radical imams over the minds of Muslims. Cutting off the opportunity for young Muslims to learn about Islam in an open environment using the critical thinking skills in the Australian curriculum would increase the ignorance prevalent in sections of the global Muslim community.

While Muslim schools are closely regulated and held accountable by a range of education departments, they are forging a new understanding of Islam, which includes a critical analysis of traditional interpretations and a broader understanding of history and society. This is the breath of fresh air that Muslims have been crying out for and must be encouraged.

The assumption is made that public schools can fulfil this important role. Public schools certainly provide opportunities to continually engage with different religious and social groups from the local area. But overloaded and under-resourced teaching staff do not have the skills to combat claims such as Ms Ali's that the Koran sanctions the beheading of infidels, or padlocks the minds and hearts of young women. Any interpretation "to kill and hate" she claims is in the Koran can be adequately countered only by skilled Muslim Australian teachers in schools specially equipped to explain the compassion, history and scholarship of this politically hijacked religion.

Graduating students from Australian Muslim schools have engaged in interfaith programs, community service, interschool programs and hundreds of other activities based on the classic practice of Islam as a scholarly and open religion that encourages ethical discussion and independent thinking. Learning respect for the huge variety of Australian communities, these graduates are the solution to the problems experienced by Ms Ali. Closing their schools would cut off the opportunity for new interpretations of traditional Islam, and drive Muslims into a corner dominated by radical Islam. We need to bring our Australian Muslim kids into the debate, not drive them out of it.

Silma Ihram Australian Council of Islamic

Education in Schools