...born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad

“Quality Education is Key”: What are the odds?—it could be the slogan of a British education effort, too. From the timesonline:

Muslim children will be taught British citizenship in mosque schools as part of a Government attempt to keep them away from the influence of Islamist extremism.

A trial of the new lessons will begin in several cities at the start of the new school year in September, according to Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary.

The initiative, designed to show young Muslims that there is no conflict between their religion and being British, is part of a package of measures published today.

They also include ministers commissioning an independent report by academic and theological experts at Cambridge University into whether the Islamic veil helps or hinders integration into British society.

"It is not for Government to dictate on matters of faith or religious teaching," Ms Blears said, launching the report. "But Muslim communities themselves have told us that stronger leadership is needed on what are often controversial issues."

She added: "We need to encourage and create safe places for sensible debate around issues that extremists can seek to exploit and make sure that young British Muslims recognise that their faith teaches shared citizenship vales."

Officials said mosque teachers in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Oldham, Rochdale, and Bradford would be trained in using the new materials over the summer. The new lesson plans will be used alongside traditional teaching about the Koran.

The teaching prospectus describes lessons capable of "demonstrating to young British Muslims that their faith is compatible with shared values and with being a British citizen - undermining the violent extremists’ argument that there is a fundamental conflict between the West and Islam, and being British and Muslim"…

Thereby attempting to undo some of the damage done by the Wahhabis as well as traditional triumphalist/supremacist teachings that have been given a new lease on life by the Islamic revival.

Lots of luck, Brits. You’re going to need it.

Posted by: scaramouche at 12:36 | link | comments

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