The National Council of Imams and Masajid

[Iftikhar]

The National Council of Imams and Masajid

British Government has been frustrated that a large number of Imams were born and educated in Pakistan, speak limited English, but well versed in their mother tongues, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi, making it difficult for the Government to know what is going on in the Masajid. The drive to encourage British Muslims to become Islamic clerks and to teach English to Imams is planned by British establishment with the help of so called Muslim leaders. Imams were accused of being out me grown”. The home grown Imams are neither well versed in English nor in Urdu or in other community languages. The Imams from the Sub-continent must be freely allowed to come to satisfy the spiritual social and emotional.

In reality, Islam isn’t about beliefs, it’s also about culture and identity. According to BNP, Islam has become a toxic racial proxy. Atheists and fundamentalist Christians are using popular slogans to incite against Muslims whom they see as the new source of danger for Europe. Pope Urban 11 in 1099 called the faithful to join the first Crusade and expel the Muslims from the Holy Land. It is now high time to react once again and defend Western civilizations as well as everything else which is threatened by radical Koran-Islam. The modern Crusades plan to save western civilization from Islamisation. Islamophobia is a deliberate defamation of Islam and discrimination and intolerance against Muslims. It is the worst type of terrorism the world has ever witnessed. British education system has already eradicated the languages of the young generation of Muslims. Now the British establishment is trying to kick out Urdu and other community languages from the Masajid. Bilingualism is an asset and not a problem.

Education experts say that a celebration on community languages in schools is one way of riding Britain of its reputation as the world’s language “dunce” and promoting better relations between different ethnic groups. The study of such languages is considered important for the future health of the economy. Research by CILT shows a revolution in the take-up of non-traditional languages in secondary schools. Experts say promoting community languages could also persuade native Brits to take an interest in them. The linguistic map of Britain was changing, with multi-linguals spreading from typically multi-ethnic areas to more “traditional” parts. By encouraging children to develop their existing knowledge we will be building up an important skills base as well as raising educational achievement. There is a huge body of research testify to the benefits that bilingualism has for educational development. The future of Britain is multi-lingual, and this needs to be reflected in the school curriculum.

Unfortunately with the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment, racism and Islamophobia, bilingualism has been neglected and ignored intentionally. Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of a child states that “the education of the child should be directed to the development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, languages and values.” Article 30 states that “a child belonging to an (ethnic, religious or linguistic minority) should be educated in a manner that affirmatively acknowledges their native language abilities as well as ensures their acquisition of English. The Education Act of 1944 clearly states that children should be educated according to the needs and demands of the parents. The silent majority of Muslim parents would like to send their children to state Muslim schools. Dcsf and OFSTED must take the responsibility that all schools must abide by the human rights issues.
Iftikhar Ahmad
www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

[Emmanuel]

I know an Imam, he speaks over 4 languages and he is going to English language classes now.

[Iftikhar]

[Emmanuel]

Saalam,
With all respect: This Imam learns with students from many nationalities.
Everyone is learning from eachother.
What use is a seperate school? Dividing students into seperate schools will propogate more racism, xenaphobia and ignorance, in my opinion.
If a persons faith is strong enough it can be tested in all conditions. You dont lose anything by intergration.

Why should the state fund Muslim schools? There is little funding for schools in general. Everyone has right to an education, if someone wants a particular type of education they should go where it is provided not demand it.

The best way to learn a language is to be taught by a native speaker.
Bridges need to be built not more walls. Best wishes

[Iftikhar]

Salaam

A teacher is a role model for a child. During the developmental period he/should have a teacher speaking his/her language. It is crucial for the development of his self-esteem and self -confidence. He should be well versed in his mother tongue and English. The state schools with monolingul non-Muslim teacher are not capable of teaching English to bilingual Muslim children.

Bilingual Muslim children need to be well versed in English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time they need to be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural rootys 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 notoriously monolingual Brit. The children should be encouraged to think globally, because they are going to compete for jobs in a global tiny world.The curriculum must find ways to make students realise the world is bigger than they think. Since they are going to be competing for jobs in a global market, they need to learn foreign cultures, history geography and languages along with National Curriculum and other voctional skills.