What are your thoughts on the article and whether such 'schools' are compatible with the western value set?
Nothing is out of the ordinary. Corporal punishment is all over the old testament and in many case far more drastic. That the West has moved on from it is the issue on hand, Islam and Muslims are not shy about saying what their beliefs are and sticking to them.
As to the point about the reprehensible qualities of Jews are concerned, I think its misplaced to ask kids that question as a question on the homework or a test, however Islam's holy book is quite clear on the issues faced by Israelites and the repercussions of their actions resulting in punishment from the Almighty (and the issues that Quran highlights are spoken to in the old testament as well and most Christians have a similar view on the challenges, acts and the punishment of the Israelites). So I would say asking them these sort of questions may be misplaced, but the idea is that some of their actions caused the Almighty to be displeased and Muslims are told not to follow along in that path. This is not the most PC thing to say nowadays, but it is a matter of faith.
So in my mind the issue really comes down to bashing Islam. Should Muslim kids not be taught that their religion sanctions strict punishment for those who steal and pillage? How is that any different than other countries where death penalty is in effect and the children know that for killing another human, the punishment is death?
Not much of a difference. Our kids are being taught about their religion and as long as it stays this way its fine (barring the conspiracy theories around zionist expansion etc.), now if someone tried to impose this way of life on others while living in the West, it would be a huge problem of imposition and I personally have an issue with that.
The recent ruling in Ok, USA was unnecessary. Muslims have not asked for Sharia ruling in civil courts in the United States and Islamic injunctions are quite clear that when a Muslim is in non-Muslim lands, he has to abide by local laws. So this is all hysteria and propaganda aimed at Muslims in my view.
The issue of teaching about zionist conspiracy is a problem in their curriculum. It has very little to do with Sharia or anything else in Islam. I am sure some cultural and political influences are at play with regards to this aspect.
One last point. The very same investigative journalists should head over to some of the traditional Jewish schools (Yeshivas etc.) all over New York. They are bound to find a lot of puritanical and fundamentalist lessons being taught to the Jewish Children as well. However since there is no juice in this story, nobody will bother.
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