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Established 1981
London School of Islamics
An Educational Trust
63 Margery Park Road London E7 9LD
Email: info@londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
Tel/Fax: 0208 555 2733 / 07817 112
Faith-based Schools

The education secretary angers secular groups by pledging £500m to rebuild faith-based schools, including only two Muslim schools. There are over half a million Muslim children in British schools where bilingualism and Islamic Identity is totally neglected. In history lessons, Muslim contributions to European learning and culture are never mentioned. Only three percent of Muslim children are in Muslim schools.

Islam does not believe in integration but encourages participation and feel responsibility in the British society. There is no question of either integration or assimilation. Muslim community must participate and fight for the rights granted by the state. It is not asking for any favour. Muslim community does not hate British values, they hate British policies. British needs to recognize and acknowledge that Muslim values do not pose a threat to the strategic values of Western society. We all need dialogue at all levels. It is possible to find common ground on the basis of respect for difference and a toleration of others. Muslim schools can play a vibrant part in British society. There is a huge desire for Muslim schools within the community. Studies show that 84% agree that there should be a choice for the Muslims. Muslim community should compel the state to provide the same educational provision as it does for other religions. There is a proposal under which parents would be able to demand the creation of a whole new institution, run by a private company. Money would follow the pupil, so that unpopular schools would be close down

A Muslim school is an institution which is established to mold a child into an Islamic personality and provide the educational needs of our children. One of the primary aims of Muslim school is to make a person a good citizen, some one who respects others, values other people’s views and lives as a peaceful and legal citizen of the country. Tolerance and harmony are Islamic virtues and Muslim schools put more emphasis to appreciate and respect other cultures. In a Muslim school, the pupils are coming from home to home. Muslim schools are the solution to racial tensions, not part of the problem. Research shows that children perform better when they are in a familiar social setting. Muslim schools certainly give Muslim children an atmosphere in which they can grow and excel. Muslim schools provide a vital bridge in allowing children from the Muslim community to succeed in adult life. The success of a Muslim school is the notion that no child is ever regarded as a failure.

There are hundreds of state as well as Church schools where Muslim pupils are in majority and all such schools should be converted to Muslim community schools.
Iftikhar Ahmad