Islam Makes Inroads in Education Political Correctness Style....

If you look closely, what is inside your child's textbooks may shock you. They are full of evolution theories, and many liberal historians are rewriting American history as well. But there is even more. How Islam is portrayed in today's textbooks is a subject of concern also. The familiar images of Islam include praying at Mecca, and the prophet Muhammad, a man Muslims say is the messenger of God. But this is not the whole story.

When all is said and done, the story of Islam is being told and taught to our nation's school kids in their textbooks. But are they getting the whole story, or just part of it?

Since the early 1990's, teaching Islam to kids has taken on a new dimension. As our society moved into the era of political correctness where it became taboo to offend any one group, many educational analysts say that the controversial nature of Islam started to not only be downplayed, but to be totally ignored.

One of the leading critics is the American Textbook Council, which came out with a scathing report a year ago. It is called "Islam in the Textbooks," and in it are numerous examples of how Muslim scholars are simply not telling kids the full truth.

For example, take the word Jihad. It is believed to represent a holy war, and the object is to bring the whole world under Islamic rule and law. But in the textbooks, that is not what kids are reading. In the World History Book, "across the centuries," Jihad is called a struggle "to do one's best to resist temptation and overcome evil."

The president of the American Textbook Council, Gil Sewell, recently spoke about his concerns at a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill.

Sewell said, "When it comes to Holy War, to Islamic law, to slavery, to the treatment of women, the textbooks fudge, hedge - and it's not accidental."

And the report says, when it comes to women, most textbooks do not mention how many men in the Islamic world look at women as just another possession. Many times, it just ignores that aspect altogether. One textbook says, "Although men had most of the power in Arab society, women had some freedom. For example, women could own and inherit property. Women contributed to the group through such activities as spinning and weaving."

When it comes to putting a positive spin on the teachings of Islam, one of the most influential organizations out there is the Council on Islamic Education, based in California. It is a research institute that gives guidance to publishers when it comes to what they say about Islam.

The founder, Shabbir Mansuri, came to the CBN News studios in Washington, and we asked him if the textbooks today are really giving students a complete and true picture.

Mansuri answered, "I think that is a valid point. I don't think it's a point we shouldn't put on the table for us to discuss. I think it's a valid point."

But, Mansuri says, with just a few pages devoted to Islam in the textbooks, you can only include so much. And, he says, kids in grade school may not be ready to comprehend it all, anyway.

Mansuri added, "You can make an argument that we want them to know the good and bad of it. Valid argument. [But] are they equipped to understand the good and bad of it?"

Which brings us to Whahabbism, an extremist fundamentalist brand of Islam. Whahabbism is being taught to school children in Saudi Arabia, and its most infamous follower is Osama bin Laden himself. This is not being mentioned in American textbooks.

Mansuri remarked, "It's put in some sort of large way that, as a Muslim, I'm scratching my head and saying what are they talking about?

Mansuri replied, "It is not. That is what I am saying. It is in the mind of those who are deniers."

Mansuri said that all his group is trying to do, is to make sure that what is written about Islam comforms to the textbook standards in each state. In California, the standards say, "When ethnic or cultural groups are portrayed, portrayals must not depict differences in customs or lifestyles as undesirable, and must not reflect adversely on such differences."

But Historian David Barton says that all the facts must be put on the table. Barton remarked, "They [Muslims] may want to be presented well today, but historically there are some footprints that have to be looked at."

And he says those footprints are not always so flattering. Barton said, "There was a Barbary Powers war that went on for 16 years in America, where America was dealing with Muslim terrorists for 16 years back, from 1790 through 1806. That is the reason we have the Marine Corps hymn. 'From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli' was because the American Marines went inland in the same area where they are now, to release enslaved Americans [who] had been taken prisoner by Muslim terrorists. And for 16 years, for four presidents, we fought a war against Muslim terrorists."

Barton says that history should not be edited to make a faith look good. "As a Christian," Barton said, "I can't say we're not going to teach the witch trials because that would make me look bad as a Christian."

But in today's textbooks, Muhammad is not made to look bad at all. He is mentioned numerous times in a positive light, but critics are curious as to why there is no mention of the controversy in which he supposedly had multiple wives, and one of them was a very young girl. Instead, you find role-playing exercises for students, like reading the Koran in class or dressing up as Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca.

Jordan Rubio in Virginia Beach knows the feeling. At his public school, one of his classmates was asked to go in front of his class and pretend to be an Egyptian pharaoh. Then Jordan and the rest of his classmates had to bow down to him. His mother could not believe it.

Teresa Rubio said, "I asked him how he felt when he did that, and to my surprise, he responded that he immediately went to praying, and asked for forgiveness."

Jordan was not the only one in her family who had a problem. Her daughter Emily was asked to do an English grammar assignment, and the book used was the Koran. Theresa says, why not the Bible?

Teresa Rubio remarked, "I can understand that we need to understand other cultures and other traditions, but when Jesus is not given equal time in the classroom, I just feel that I have to oppose that."

All of Theresa's experiences have led her to a strong conclusion. "We really just need to pay very close attention to where we're sending our children, and what they are learning when they go there."

Mansuri says that the way Islam is taught is not the problem. Instead, he says, Christians simply do not have a seat at the table when it comes to reviewing textbooks at the state level.

He said, "Every committee that I'm invited to sit [on], if there are religious institutions that are brought in, I never see conservative Christians, for example."

That is a problem. And until that happens, the textbooks remain in their current state. It can be debated whether the violent images kids see on TV should be represented in the pages of their textbooks. What is not up for debate is that only some of the facts are being taught to kids in America's classrooms.

In the World History Book, "across the centuries," Jihad is called a struggle "to do one's best to resist temptation and overcome evil."

From the Islamic website Ask The Imam:

wordsearch jihad

Some people from my colleg launched an attack on me, they floowed me out to Las Vegas and almost had some one kill me twice.Should i launch Jihad Psychological and Social, 2004-08-11
I have a question about offensive Jihad. Does it mean that we are to attack even those non-Muslims which don't do anything against Islam just because we have to propagate Islam? Islamic Politics, 2004-07-13
I wish to inquire as to what the arabic term for holy war is. In the media that I came across lately, Jihad was used as term of reference which I understand is incorrect. Miscellaneous, 2004-06-15

Answer 11919:
The Arabic equivalent for holy war is Jihaad.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai

I want to go for jihad,but work prohibits me to do so,what could I do to go for Jihad as soon as possible Islamic Politics, 2004-05-26
Is Jihad Fardh on every single (Male) Muslim in UK (considering the fact that the majority of the Muslims don't even perform their 5 times daily salaah - an immediate Fardh ??? Islamic Politics, 2004-03-10
Recently I saw a question on the status of women taken as prisoners during Jihad. Basic Tenets of Faith, 2004-02-24
Have most Imams declared a holy jihad against infidels, and that killing them assures them a place in heaven? Islamic Politics, 2004-01-08
A tablighi brother told that one of the conditions of Jihad to be a sharai Jihad is that there should be a Caliph among the Muslims. Jurisprudence and Rulings (Fiqh), 2003-08-11
1. Is Tabligh Jamath supports the Jihad (holy war)? 2. Is there anything called Islamic dress? Jurisprudence and Rulings (Fiqh), 2003-06-11
I have heard that musical instruments are only allowed to be used in jihad music. is this true could you prove with hadith and quran. Islamic Politics, 2003-04-17
Iraq’s central region follows the hanafi madhab also saddam hussiens rebublican guard. When scholars of Iraq issue fatwa for jihad, is it fardz upon the ummah ?... Islamic Politics, 2003-04-03
If the jihad in Palestine is true Jihad where everyone is supposed to go why is it no one is going to fight... Islamic Politics, 2003-02-26
the us claimed that the al qaida hijackers had a book that said they should shave off their beards ,is this allowed in jihad Islamic Politics, 2002-12-23
Is the Jihad in Chechny and Palestine a ligimit Jihad ? Islamic Politics, 2002-12-03
Why is there a difference of opinion in Ulema in considering Jihad as farz-e-aein or farz-e-kifaya these days? Jurisprudence and Rulings (Fiqh), 2002-10-10
Should i Ask my mothers permission to go to jihad in AFGHANISTAN or PALESTINE? Jurisprudence and Rulings (Fiqh), 2002-10-01
I would like to goto Jihad in Palestine to free MAshid Al-Aqsa, without my mothers permission is allowed? Islamic Politics, 2002-08-13
Is it permissible to wage (Physical War) Jihad against Israel, U.S. and India (for there role in Gujrat Muslims Carnage)? Islamic Politics, 2002-07-28
recently I've been talkin' to ‘jihadis’, who say if Islam brings me peace, I have chosen the wrong religion, they say blood of kafir is halal, it is permissible to kill any nonmuslim Islamic Politics, 2002-07-18
As jihad is fard ayn why are scholars so scared to incite the believers to do jihad, Islamic Politics, 2002-05-24
Will it be fardh for every muslim to go for jihad if it is declared? Islamic Politics, 2002-03-29
Could you please tell me if the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad s.a.w. ever killed anybody in Jihad ie. by his own hands or sword. JazakAllah History and Biography, 2002-02-02
ass. wr. wb. I heard some one said there are 12 branches of Jihad, and Qithal is one of them. Please kindly explain! wass. wr.w b. Miscellaneous, 2001-12-21
Salam.Can true lovers atleast see each (not enganged)and why aren't we Muslims everywhere in Jihad against America yet? Inviting to Islam, 2001-12-21
Is it fardh on the muslims of america britain etc. to go for jihad in afghanistan ? Jurisprudence and Rulings (Fiqh), 2001-11-04
Q.1:what are the duties of muslim women if war (jihad) breaks out ? Q.2:Is Qunoot-e-nazila recited after surah Fatiha, or after any surat after surah ?Fatiha Miscellaneous, 2001-09-24
What is your opinion of Sheikh Abdullah Faisal who is currently in London, UK (www.islamicjihad.com). And Sheikh Salman al-Awdah and Sheikh Safar al-Hawaali? History and Biography, 2001-06-30
Are Hind and Isa (AS) times' Jihad more favourable to Allah (SWT) than Badr, Uhud etc. that our beloved Prophet (PBUH) fought himself? Which martyrs are great amongst those Jihads? Beliefs and Practices (Aqeedah), 2001-06-16
can u take steriods to train yourself for jihad is this allowed? Food and Nourishment, 2001-05-12
Social obligation for going to Jihad Psychological and Social, 2001-04-14
if you want to go to jihad do you have to get permisssion from your parents, please explain. Beliefs and Practices (Aqeedah), 2001-03-29
Please give me details of the hadith refering about the Jihad in Hind(India)? Hadith, 2001-01-29
What does shariah say regarding the rights of parents when going on Jammat/Jihad? Please explain with daleels if possible. Inviting to Islam, 2000-11-03
Can you take steriods to train yourself for jihad, is this allowed? Health and Wellness, 2000-10-24
Respected Mufti Saheb Is it permissible to have photos and videos taken of the Jihad that is being fought in Chechnya and place it on the internet for keeping the Muslims informed. Beliefs and Practices (Aqeedah), 2000-10-15
Is it obligatory for Muslim all over the world to go for Jihad against the Jews this time to liberate the Holyland in Palestine? Islamic Politics, 2000-10-15
I want to go jihad, I'm 18 years of age and read namaz 5-times a day, Do I need to have more knowledge of Islam to go to jihad or not? Please explain in detail, thanks. Basic Tenets of Faith, 2000-10-14
Is going to school (as in studying math and science) Jihad? Basic Tenets of Faith, 2000-08-27

I go to an Islamic school. One of the shieks say that studying at school is Jihad. Many other shieks say that it isnt. I am of the opinion that it isnt. What is your opinion? Could you please supply me with proof based on your opinion. Your answer is much appreciated.
Answer 43:
Jihaad literally means to sacrifice. Therefore, the Shaykhs opinion only in the literal sense is correct. The reward of that sacrifice depends on the good intention of the seeker of worldly knowledge, for example, contributing to the propagation of Islam. However, Jihaad includes physical and monetary sacrifice against the Kuffaar even to the extent of placing one's life at risk.
Generally, the Qur'aan and Ahaadith refers to the latter understanding of Jihaad.
And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

There are many cases of Muslims, making suicide attacks (i.e. strapping themselves to bombs) on enemies for the sake of jihad.Is this considered as suicide or true jihad? Miscellaneous, 2000-08-27

Also: searching Jihaad:

If one is studying fiqh and/or any other courses in a distant region from home, and Jihaad overwhelms the land, will it be mandatory for the pursuer of knowledge to stay and fight? Jurisprudence and Rulings (Fiqh), 2004-05-26
regarding playing video games considering them beneficial for Jihaad? Worldly Possessions, 2002-10-25
Can you please clarify whether the prophet s.a.w. ever killed anybody himself, eg jihaad, etc. History and Biography, 2002-06-19
jihaad and darul harb. what is the situation Islamic Politics, 2002-05-24
Could you please explain the concept of jihaad to a non-muslim, perhaps more extensive than in question 4080? Please have a look at the questions below. Islamic Politics, 2002-01-14
Meaning of JIHAAD Islamic Politics, 2001-11-18

Muslims are not "confused over the meaning of jihad (physical holy war), why is the West?

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