Posted on 05/21/2006 7:56:26 AM PDT by floridaobserver
S audi Arabia's public schools have long been cited for demonizing the West as well as Christians, Jews and other "unbelievers." But after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 -- in which 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis -- that was all supposed to change.
A 2004 Saudi royal study group recognized the need for reform after finding that the kingdom's religious studies curriculum "encourages violence toward others, and misguides the pupils into believing that in order to safeguard their own religion, they must violently repress and even physically eliminate the 'other.' " Since then, the Saudi government has claimed repeatedly that it has revised its educational texts.
Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, has worked aggressively to spread this message. "The kingdom has reviewed all of its education practices and materials, and has removed any element that is inconsistent with the needs of a modern education," he said on a recent speaking tour to several U.S. cities. "Not only have we eliminated what might be perceived as intolerance from old textbooks that were in our system, we have implemented a comprehensive internal revision and modernization plan." The Saudi government even took out a full-page ad in the New Republic last December to tout its success at "having modernized our school curricula to better prepare our children for the challenges of tomorrow." A year ago, an embassy spokesman declared: "We have reviewed our educational curriculums. We have removed materials that are inciteful or intolerant towards people of other faiths." The embassy is also distributing a 74-page review on curriculum reform to show that the textbooks have been moderated.
The problem is: These claims are not true
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I found out that at Iranian weddings it's common to pass a flask under the table.
Kids will believe whatever they are told to believe.
Liberals will never have enough access to educate my children, until after I'm dead.
You don't need to remind me. I'm fully aware of it. Who's defending the Saudis? Did you go to public school, too?
What are you contributing to the War on Terror besides a lot of rhetoric?
Just curious.
Sabramerican has a right to feel the way she does and the way I see it, you made her feel that she doesn't just because you have a few nice Muslim friends. If you re-read the thread, you will see that she did not bash you personally. Quite frankly, your post did sound "cute" in the manner of the idealism of the Liberals (or maybe Rodney King). "Why can't we all just get along?"
Glad this story even made the Washington Post. Bump. Turn up the heat on Saudi Arabia.
I have a different perspective on all of this, seeing as how I've been living in the Middle East for the last two and a half years.
If you can't deal with it, move on. I have gotten bored with your kind.
This is exactly why so-called moderate Islam will not speak out significantly or, more importantly, take any action to interfere with the terrorists among them. Despite what they may believe about the appropriateness of terrorist acts, or unwillingness to take part in such acts themselves, they will always identify with the Islamic murderer before they will identify with the peaceful non-Muslims who are their victims.
Ahhh the future of Europe.
I don't really care about your so-called perspective. I think you are exceedingly naive. If you wish to be an Islamist apologetic, perhaps it is you who should move on.
You contentious, arrogant types are a dime a dozen. Go play with somebody down on your own intellectual and social level and leave the adults alone, now.
I have nothing further to say to you.
That is the most poorly chosen and ill aimed insult I have seen in a LOOONG time. If there is one thing Allegra isn't, it is naive in matters regarding Islam, Arabs and terrorists (which can often be used interchangeably). She is an absolute expert on this topic.
We can tell.
Are you plural?
Yes
It has multiple personalities. ;-)
Ooookay. Says all I need to know.
Sybilb1?
Those types seem to have infested FR over the last couple of years. I find it best just to slap them down a little and then ignore them. Brain cells are our friends and these people apparently don't have many friends. LOL
Look, no one appreciates anyone who tries to use smart-aleck quips to invalidate anyone's understandable feelings about those who follow Islam. And that is what happened here. sabramerican reacted to a comment that was specifically posted to invalidate his by implying that it must be erroneous just because someone had "cool" Muslim friends so they know better. The response was immature and certainly not indicative of being any sort of expert on Islam. If someone disagrees, that's fine. But when the thread devolves with the instigation of personal attacks, any discussion becomes worthless.
Thanks. You just proved my point.
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