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Leeds: Mosques on ‘fast’ track for new schools
FAST FOOD: Imam, Qari Asim, with fruits to mark the start of Ramadan, at Makkah Mosque, Hyde Park.
Two Leeds mosques have launched a major project to build a new Muslim primary school and nursery in the city.
Leeds Muslim Council, which forms the joint management committee of Al-Madina Jamia Masjid and Makkah Masjid in Hyde Park, will fund the mixed sex facilities through community donations and fundraising.
The project has been launched during the annual Ramadan fast, when a focus is put on charity and spirituality. Sites for the school are being considered while the nursery would be based, initially, in an extension to the Woodsley Road Community Centre.
Imam Asim Mohammed, priest at Leeds Makkah Masjid, said: “The Muslim community of Leeds has embarked on a new initiative to build a nursery, with a view to eventually establishing a school. The management committee believes teaching Islam is not only about learning the basic duties such as praying. It is teaching the children manners, as well as cleanliness. A nursery shall provide an Islamic environment and will instil in them good morals, which will help them become good Muslims. A good Muslim is a good citizen, a gentle and caring member of society.
“Islam places huge emphasis on gaining knowledge,” he added. “Education is also crucial to integration and social cohesion in a diverse multicultural and multi-faith society.”
Statistics show that while a third of British Muslims are under 16 and there are around 500,000 young Muslims currently at school or college, they are still significantly underachieving in comparison to their peers.
Imam Asim added: “The key educational issues concerning Muslim parents are the continuing poor academic results of Muslim children and the inadequacy of spiritual and moral education that schools provide. There are many reasons for this and a number of stakeholders have a vital role to play if things are to change any time soon.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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There are 4 comments to this article
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ken2
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 03:23 PMALL faith schools are wrong, they add to the division and segregation that causes wars and killing all over the world. I will kill in the name of my religion and my god nonsense. John Lennon in his song Imagine used the words "Nothing to kill or die for and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace" Those are the words and sentiments that should be taught to all children in all schools. The song went on to say You may say that I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one, I hope someday you will join us and the world will be as one. That song as more meaning than any religious teaching.
Ifti
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 08:43 PMThe medium of instruction in a Muslim school is standard English so that children could follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time, they need to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community lanmguages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He does not want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. IA http:www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
OzTyke
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 05:36 AMWill the kids be taught English, and taught IN English a.s.a.p?
Ifti
Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 11:55 AMPending Moderation
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