Comments on: Review of Channel 4′s “Revelations: Islamic school”

By: Teacher

Teacher — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:31:20 +0000

This school was very brave to let a woman with a camera film for actually over 2 years. They had nothing to hide so i suppose it was an easy sort of choice.

In relation to y 2 girls, it ws because the doc wanted to look at the transition btween state schools ato muslim school and it just happened that it was 2 girls. although there was a boy who was going to be filmed, but it didnt work out.

I agree it was very much focused around Hell and hijab and if u visit the school yo will see that in fact they dnt teach it specifically. The only lessons that we did were filmed and cleverly edited to make it look like the fear of Hell is drilled in the schoo, and that is not the case at all.

HIjab is past of the uniform, just like th school jumper are. Its part of the religion and was included in the unif, just as the little black hats are for the boys.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:41:15 +0000

My wife tells me that, 30 years ago, Catholic schools in Liverpool taught that unbelievers would go hell, complete with fires. But her CoE Primary school preached no such fundamentalism, and she rejects the idea there is a problem with faith schools.

By: Derek

Derek — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:40:50 +0000

Brainwashing by any other name - not an education. Good old guilt being used just as the catholics use it. Male supremacy being maintained by subtle means - fathers were obviously far too important to be interviewed! A sad but hugely important warning to any thinking person! I agree with the last post - education must be secular. Religious schools are - by definition - divisive and dangerous. Teach the ideas of the European Enlightenment, philosophy and argument - NOT this 6th century drivel.

By: Maria

Maria — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:37:07 +0000

I agree with Karen.

If I may say so, Indigo Jo, you seem to be obsessed with stereotyping any critics as white and middle-class, which is kind of ironic.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:46:28 +0000

I watched it with interest being someone who is firmly against any sort of faith-based education in Britain. I found it disturbing that such young girls are obliged to wear a form of dress which immediately marks out their separation from the majority culture in UK. It was terribly sad to see a girl of seven looking wistfully out of her window and admitting to feeling ’ a bit’ different to the children in the street and that she was not allowed to play with them. Incredible.

More concerning was the amount of time being devoted to Islamic studies and other topics which are not ‘education’ in the more widely used sense of the word. I would be interested to how this school compares on GCSE results.

I am now firmly convinced that ALL state schools in UK must become totally secular in defence of a way of life which puts religion firmly into the private sphere and well away from any vestige of political power. Private faith schools must provide ‘education’ not indoctrination.

By: Old Pickler

Old Pickler — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:59:54 +0000

Muslims should be careful in engaging with the media on their terms.

Just Muslims? Get with the programme - the media distorts everything. Overall this was an interesting documentary, with lots of unanswered questions.

By: Safiya Outlines

Safiya Outlines — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:17:39 +0000

Salaam Alaikum,

I actually thought it was a fairly positive documentary myself, as I stated in my review.

People are complex and this is reflected in religious practice too.

By: Leila

Leila — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:56:38 +0000

Two young Muslim girls, both judged by their looks ie hijab. There was too much repetition of hijab, especially with the younger girl, it put me off. It would have been interesting to see what activities both girls do outside of school for example, what they want to be when they grow up. I would be looking forward to the day when Muslim girls are not identified by their bodies from Muslim and non Muslim community.