Islamisation of National School - An experience of a Parent

[FreeThinker]

Hi guys,

Read this letter in Malaysiakini about the experience of a parent on how the teaching staffs ulterior motive to convert your youngs at school.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/61811

Now, I remember not so long ago that someone in this forum talking about national unity and how the Mandarin School and Tamil School are a stumbling block. I am wondering if they still have the same stand after knowing such motives by the muslims in the teaching staffs. Maybe they think the only way to unite the country is to convert the nation to Islam? So then do you agree to have your kids convert to Islam at this young age?

Not that I am against the religion, but I think the most appropriate time to let your kids choose their own religion is when they reached 18, at least. To wash the brain of the young kids at the tender age, well if that's not crooked motive, I do not know what it is.

And to our beloved Kris-wielding/kissing/hugging Education Minister (if youchance upon this article and forum), do not talk about national unity unless all the problems in the national schools are resolved and change the national school from a school for the muslims to a school for all Malaysian. And please do not use the same lame excuse of national unity to prevent the Mandarin Schools and Tamil Schools from growing by not providing fund to them and by not approving new schools. It had been more than 30 years since a new Mandarin School was built.

[uchangeng]

The freedom to religion in this country is no longer practiced nor enforced. Our national constitution is raped by the zealots beyond recognition 50 years into independence.

Those who govern this "bolehland" are practicing their very own brand of the religion out of egoism. The notion that the one God who loves all man the same is long gone. He is now, instead, ruled on FEAR by His so-called holier-than-thou chosen ones!

If I see God tomorrow, I will tell Him how bad His creations have screwed up this world and let see how those who "ruled" in His name are going to face God themselves!

[xaviers]

in addition we are told to be tolerant towards ones belief and religion but it seems it's a one way street at the moment.

seems like they are testing us... if we fail to be tolerant.. we all know what will happen...

hush..better keep quiet...

[bugbear]

So guys, our country after 50 years of independence looks increasingly worrying with one religion cowing the other religion. This is due to UMNO's agendas which is self serving to their umnoputras. Religion is being used to win votes. So coming GE 2007, please vote a stop to this religious hegemony by the ruling party once and for all.

[penangkia]

Learning the desert language and many even dressing like arabs.
Don't know why so many malays want to be arabs when they already have their own culture.

Except for religion, what use is the arab language ?

I will tell my kids to treat these arabic lessons as jokes and time to relax, if the teachers insist on continuing.

Oh, the part about saying arabic prayers....strictly no no no. I will tell my kid to sit down. That not his religion...period.

[sirgalahad2010]

IS THE RIGHT TO HAVE EDUCATION CONDUCTED IN ONE'S MOTHER TONGUE A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT?

I don't think so. Neither, unless I am mistaken, does the UN Declaration on Human Rights.

The national education system is one of the fundamental (no pun intended) bedrocks of Malaysian society. If this premise is accepted, then mother tongue schools should be regarded as an exception that has been allowed because of particular circumstances.

If you look at Singapore's national education system, one fundamental bedrock is education in English from kindergarten to tertiary level, with mandatory classes in Mandarin, Malay and Tamil depending on the student's race. Note that this has produced problems - like the Baba/Nyonya community's children having to study Mandarin instead of Malay, and for Malayalee Indian Singaporeans having to have their children study either Malay or Tamil.

The other fundamental bedrock of the Spore national education system is that all Sporean children attend national primary schools, the only exception being if the children's parents have lived overseas and their kids have attended international schools in these countries.

A simple enough formula, but much thought and tinkering went into drawing it up. Even now, the Spore govt acknowledges that it is still a work in progress.

Given that, it would be presumptuous to think that Msia, with it's racial mix and demographics, would find it easy to devise a national education system that would please ALL Malaysians.

And regardless of what the govt, the opposition and the language activists may think, there is no quick fix or perfect solution.

And I speak as one who went through the then Msian education system from 1952-1964 in a govt primary school in Johor and at the then Johor English College.

[AllUrban]

I spent my first few years of school reciting the lord's prayer after announcements...as a muslim, I didnt like that either...I was happy when it was replaced by the moment (30 seconds) of silence.

Some people protested, but by and large Canadians are happy with this:

There is a place for religion in school, but it should not be pushed/forced on others....

at the same time...

there is no giant conspiracy to make everyone muslim...and arabic is just a language. The bismillah prayer which was mentioned in the article is a simple invoking of the name of God...is simply translated (in english) as "In the name of God the most beneficient the most merciful"...hardly a threat to ones religious identity....

And, Christian arabs use the Bismillah and use the arabic word Allah to describe God...I dont think they feel threatened.

Cheers, m

[FreeThinker]

hi all,

I chanced upon the following article in theSun today.

http://203.115.192.124/tuesday/tue_page15.html

This article really hit the bull's eye. Enjoy reading!

[bslee]

And, Christian arabs use the Bismillah and use the arabic word Allah to describe God...I dont think they feel threatened.

There's many phrases that are cognate..as in Jewish/Hebrew "SHALOM", or the Arab "SAALAM". or Peace be upon you..

[Life Ranger]

IS THE RIGHT TO HAVE EDUCATION CONDUCTED IN ONE'S MOTHER TONGUE A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT?

I don't think so. Neither, unless I am mistaken, does the UN Declaration on Human Rights.

Can you kindly update your knowledge by reading this site ? http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/d_minori.htm

[penangkia]

I spent my first few years of school reciting the lord's prayer after announcements...as a muslim, I didnt like that either...I was happy when it was replaced by the moment (30 seconds) of silence.

Some people protested, but by and large Canadians are happy with this:

There is a place for religion in school, but it should not be pushed/forced on others....

at the same time...

there is no giant conspiracy to make everyone muslim...and arabic is just a language. The bismillah prayer which was mentioned in the article is a simple invoking of the name of God...is simply translated (in english) as "In the name of God the most beneficient the most merciful"...hardly a threat to ones religious identity....

And, Christian arabs use the Bismillah and use the arabic word Allah to describe God...I dont think they feel threatened.

Cheers, m

Please read the article again. It says "lift their hands....bismillah and other chants. Let's not pretend this is not an islamic prayer and practice.
In any case, my kids can pray where and when they want...and in whatever language they choose. We don't need nor recognise any prayer leaders in school.

Anyway, the main point is why must all students learn arabic. I certainly have many other language options for my kids to learn.
Arabic is not even at the bottom of the list.

[Raikonen]

I can only questioned the objectives of having the non muslims attending such Islamic classes. I still remembered my early primary schooling in JB Saint Joseph Primary school in the early 1980s where I had to attend Jawi classes learing the jawi verses....Till today I can still recite certain acknowlgement verses in jawi...What practical value is there for the kids?

[denver]

there is no giant conspiracy to make everyone muslim...

Agreed. At most, this is just a case of insensitivity. The teachers should informed the non-muslim pupils that they did not need to participate and the teachers should respect the wishes of the non-muslim parents and make the relevant changes.

Besides, citing the prayer / doa is fairly normal in Malaysia. We are a multi-racial country and an Islamic country after all. So some form of prayer here and there is to be expected (even in schools, although it must not be imposed on non-muslims). Even in some business functions, sometimes there is a short prayers / doa recital at the beginning of the function. The non-muslims would just observe the prayers in silent. These prayers / doas, if you translate it, is mostly a request to God for good health, long life, peace and prosperity. Unless you feel threaten by hearing such requests, there's really nothing to it.

[sirgalahad2010]

Can you kindly update your knowledge by reading this site ? http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/d_minori.htm

I have looked at this reference, particularly Article 4. 2 specific Clauses are relevant:

Clause 2: "States shall take measures to create....develop their culture, language, religion, tradition and customs, except where specific practises are in violation of national law and contrary to international standards."

Clause 3: "States should take appropriate measures ....adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue or have instruction in their mother tongue."

I am not persuaded, although I am no expert in international law, that Article 4 of the UN Declaration gives carte blanche for minorities to have the right to education in their mother tongue.

If Article 4 is to be construed in it's narrowest context, then I would argue that several member countries of the UN are in breach of it. I had, in an earlier post, described how Singapore's national education system works.

I would also argue that a country's national education system should afford minority races the opportunity to have their children learn their mother tongue. No more, no less. It is not the task of a country's national education system to ensure that the culture, practices and traditions of the minority races are preserved - there are other institutions (and also the parents) who are better qualified to do this.

[penangkia]

Besides, citing the prayer / doa is fairly normal in Malaysia. We are a multi-racial country and an Islamic country after all. So some form of prayer here and there is to be expected (even in schools, although it must not be imposed on non-muslims). Even in some business functions, sometimes there is a short prayers / doa recital at the beginning of the function. The non-muslims would just observe the prayers in silent. These prayers / doas, if you translate it, is mostly a request to God for good health, long life, peace and prosperity. Unless you feel threaten by hearing such requests, there's really nothing to it.

Please don't say Malaysia is an islamic country. This is in violation of our Federal Constitution which clearly states that Malaysia is a Secular Country with islam as the official religion. Mahathir made this unconstitutional declaration and now so many are blindly quoting him including international journalists.
As responsible citizens, we must correct this misleading notion that Malaysia is an islamic country.
I do not miss a chance to correct foreigners who are mislead by this false understanding..

I am not against islam but I am totally for freedom of choices and religion must be kept out of public schools especially in our multi racial country.

As for prayers at functions, no problems. It's the right of the main organiser to pray in whatever religion he believes in. Nobody who is strong in his faith should feel threatened.