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The Impact of Islamic Education on Children |
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It is an
undeniable fact that education is one of the most important cornerstones of
all human societies. The way a society regards raising the next generation
is reflected first and foremost in its educational system. In
my speech I try to picture a complete religious education. I will discuss
the effects of religious education on school curricula, on girl pupils and
their rights, and on boys and girls relationship. I will examine the
imposing of veil on little girls and adolescents, the rule of sexual
apartheid and the way sexual matters and sex education is treated in
schools. At the end I stress and emphasize the necessity of a secular
education that ensures raising prosperous children and young generation, and
the development of the whole community. My case is the Islamic educational
system in Iran. With the anti-secularist backlash, the rise of political Islam and the efforts to bring god back to people’s lives, the last two decades have been some of the darkest in people’s lives especially in women’s and children’s lives. Medieval beliefs and customs have found legal expression to suppress people. Words can not do justice to Islamic movements and Islamic governments repressiveness and backwardness. For a long time Islam that was relatively kept at arm’s length from political power is now the ideology in power in some countries including Iran; in which society has suffered serious setbacks in civil rights especially women’s and children’s rights. One of these devastating setbacks is religious (Islamic) education. This system is reflected in school curricula and scientific advancements, in the school milieu, in the way girl pupils are treated and in Islamic teachings regarding women. School
curricula
In the existing religious education that some societies have experienced so far the system has been indoctrination. Indoctrination means causing pupils to hold certain belief and religious values are imparted to children. In this system educational authority attempt inculcate in the pupils unshakable truths such as god exists, Christianity is the source of truth and so on. In various Middle Eastern countries religion (Islam) has a big impact on education and school system. As a Middle Eastern country, Iran is an extreme case. In Iran the impact of religion on education is far from that. In Iran Islam rules in every aspect of education and school system. Believing in Islam and live according to Islamic values and norms and thoughts are pre- conditions for survival. Teaching Koran and learning it is compulsory from the first year in primary schools. Teachers must pass a religious exam to be permitted to teach. This exam includes Islamic rules, prayers, Koran and Hadith. Islamic propaganda is done systematically. Free thoughts are forbidden and punishable. Superstition has influenced school curricula. This has created a dark and stagnated milieu for children. School pupils are taught that if they do not obey the rules, they will be burned in hell (jahannam). This has deprived and continues to deprive children from learning and experiencing scientific advancements. It kills their creativity and replaces curiosity and desire for learning with the dark rules and values of 1400 years ago at Mohammed's time. Religious teachings regarding women is one of the most devastating aspects of the Islamic educational system in Iran. This teaches children that woman are inferior and as equal as half of a men, that women belong to men, that men have the right to punish their wives if they do not obey them, that women are the potential source of corrupting the society so hijab should be imposed on them. They are taught that veil is the legitimate physical border of a woman’s existence in society to protect men and community from any possible moral and social danger and destruction they may cause. They learn that the main duty of women is considered to be taking care of home and children etc. Teaching women’s oppressed conditions and male dominance as something natural, necessary and desirable is an essential theme in school education. Women are pictured as only mothers and housekeepers. In school children learn the male – female traditional gender roles, women’s segregation and sexual apartheid as a desirable state for women in the society. Sexual
Apartheid
Another important aspect of religious education in Iran is the rule of sexual apartheid. In Iran sexual apartheid rules in every area of people’s lives including workplaces, libraries, transport healthcare, education and schools. Girls and boys are separated right from beginning in schools. According to Islamic values, which are the basis of laws in Iran, women are accused of being the source of corrupting the community and the agent of leading men astray. For this “crime” they are controlled and punished from early childhood to the moment of death. Girl pupils are under enormous pressure in school as well as in the society. Veil (hijab) is imposed on them by force. This deprives them from free movement, playing and happiness and enjoying social activities. School authorities spy on girls to see if they wear make up, if they talk about boys or if they have the picture of artists and so on. Even pupils are intimidated to spy on their parents and report to school authority about their parent’s life style or if their female relatives offend Islamic rules at home. This has made a system of inquisition in schools. The environment is full of repression and control, the control of children’s mind and behavior. Friendship among girls and boys is forbidden, considered as a sin and punishable. Girls are under strict scrutiny. Their talking, walking, laughing, dressing and moving is controlled and monitored carefully. Teachers and principals punish girls physically and psychologically if their veil is not proper even while they play. Takleaf
ritual
In Iran the legal age for girls to be married is nine according to Islam. It is a law to celebrate girls’ ninth birthday as a day they are considered as mature women. School authorities celebrate this day and hold a ceremony. It is called Takleaf celebration. On Takleaf celebration girls have to wear a complete white hijab which covers their bodies completely. A clergyman talks about girls’ role in the society and warns them of evil, Fitna (which means ciaos) and western culture. He reminds girls that their duty is to prevent corruption by wearing proper hijab. From this day onward, girls are banned from playing with boys other than their brothers who are mahrams. It is forbidden for girls to laugh loudly. They have to pray god five times a day. They are told that if they do not wear proper veil or if their hair appears out of the veil, they will be punished in hell and snakes will grow on their head. Talking
about sexual matters is treated as a big crime let alone sex education. Any
relationship among boys and girls is banned. In such a milieu it is a big
sin to talk about male/ female bodily organs and sex education. Everything
related to male/female relation is considered to be secretive, sinful and
full of humiliation. Veil and the rights of
girls under 16
Putting
veil on the heads and bodies of little girls and adolescents has a
devastating impact on their minds and lives. Putting veil on the heads of
children and adolescents who have not come of age should be prohibited in
law, because it is the imposition of certain clothing of the child by the
followers of a certain religious sect. The defense of the civil rights of
the child requires that this imposition be legally prevented. The child has
no religion, tradition and prejudices. She has not joined any religious
sect. Society is duty –bound to provide fair and equal living conditions
for the children, their growth and development, and their active
participation in social life. Law and the serious reaction of society should
confront anybody who should try to block the normal social life of a child. Secular
education
Children should be protected against the transgressions of religion and religious sects on their rights. It is an offence to prevent children from enjoying their social and civil rights such as a secular education, amusement and participation in social activities specific to children. Islamic education in Iran as well as other countries under Islamic rule is a systematic child abuse. Society has the duty to protect children and persons under 16 from all forms of material and spiritual manipulation by religion and religious institutions. Society should guarantee freedom of religion and atheism, it is vital where children are taught that Jews, Bahaees and non -followers are somehow criminals and should not enjoy rights of Muslims. A complete separation of religion from the state guarantees this separation and protects children from manipulation by religions. In my view any struggle against Islamic child abuse in the educational system will have to take on the task of Islam in power and separation of religion from the state. This is a pre- requisite for a humane society that fulfills children’s potential and needs. Only a strong modernist, secularist and egalitarian social movement is able to get rid of this religious child abuse. Islamic educational system in Iran is indeed a systematic child abuse. |
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