I think this is interesting…
The groups want to ensure that Islam can be taught in German in public schools to better integrate children and prevent misinterpretations.
“If we don’t, the next generation of Muslims will grow up without values, and if they don’t get their religious education in schools they risk being influenced by bad interpretations of the Quran,” said Nadeem Elyas, president of the central council of Muslims, after a meeting of Muslim groups in Hamburg last weekend.
Source: Al Jazeera
One of the things I think is very important for muslims and Islam in our times is to teach the next generation of muslims more about their religion, show them what’s right from wrong and explain the peaceful message of Islam.
This way when they grow up they won’t be misled and influenced by people who misinterpret the Quran to reach their own wrong goals.
They’ll also be in a better position to defend the religion and explain it to the people around them who have a wrong idea about it.
I’m all for the idea of teaching religion to your own children, but I don’t know if it should be taught in public schools though.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
I think the where and how is not as important as it being done.
It could be an optional class in public schools just like it could be something along the lines of sunday school. The right formula has to be found and implemented.
I don’t know if you know more about this case. The problem is, the complainants (Zentralrat der Muslime and Islamrat) are not approved as a religious community, they are umbrella organisations. That’s why they do not have the right to claim for an Islam teaching at public schools. It have to be found out wether these organisations also satisfy the criteria of religious community. The courts still have to find that out. Most of the existing instances are politically motivated, thus with a special interpretation of the religion.
My own opinion is that there is no uniform interpreation of Islam in Germany, that’s why I wouldn’t like to have my child(if I had one :-)) attending to such courses where I don’t agree with the content.
Thanks for the information Soly. I didn’t know that.
Of course for these classes to be legitimate they have to represent what the people of the muslim community believe and want to teach their children.
Politics, special interests and special interpretations should not be part of it all.
I am all for it. Actually, I hope that schools everywhere teach religions in class, especially in Muslims countries. Not only I want students learn about Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism but also, secularism, capitalism, socialism, and communism.
These are important subjects (if not the most important) as biology, physics, or chemistry.
People MUST learn about all of those subjects and I want Muslims to know what the others are saying and believing. I want Muslims to know about the other religions so that if they choose to become Muslims, they would become better Muslims, Muslims of conviction rather than by birth. If they chose another religion, good luck in their new belief system.
And if more Muslims choose the other religions, fine. Better few believing Muslims than many by-birth Muslims
What portion of Islam do you want to teach in public schools? The portion that talks about not to take Jews and Christians as friends, fight those who do not believe in God and the Judgment day, the raids ” Ghazawaat ” of the prophet? Or that peaceful portion which I don’t know where to find ?
Jasper, Islam never taught muslims not to take Jews and Christians as friends, in fact it’s the opposite.
Jews and Christians have to be respected and treatest specially.
And yes, I think that the next generation should be taught about the history of Islam, what was behind the “ghazawat” and everything so that they can know the true reasons behind it all and better understand the Koran and the circumstances each verse came to address.
That way there won’t be any space for radical fundamentalists to wrongfully interpret these verses and inject false ideas into the youth.
Maybe Islam does need to be taught in public schools. Jasper needs to take a few couses.
Yes Jasper im struggling to find the peaceful portion. By the way I studied Islam at school and learned about the prophet the seven pillars etc. I think its a very good idea to study different faiths at a young age.
The interpretation issue is perplexing. A fundamentalist is someone who sticks to the fundamentals! These fundamentalists take their fundamentals from the Quran I presume? If a ‘literal’ interpretation reads dont take Jews and Christians as friends etc.. Then I suppose an outsider would find this sort of information first. Are people who take the peacefull side when interpreting the Quran reading into the book what they would like to read?
Teaching the historical foundations of various faiths could rock the boat even more.
Sincerely
M
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