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Muslim school head supports oath idea
5:52pm Wednesday 12th March 2008
Comments (24)
THE head of Blackburn's only state girls' Muslim school said he would be happy to for students to swear an oath of allegiance to Queen and country.
And Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Tauheedul Islam Girls High School, would like to see more schemes to boost patriotism amongst young people of all faiths.
Mr Patel was speaking after former attorney general Lord Goldsmith, called for school leavers to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen and country in a bid to give teenagers a sense of shared belonging, in a report published this week.
The suggestion was slammed as "silly", a "half-baked idea" and political gimmick by critics.
But Mr Patel, who took over as head of the Bicknell Street school in September, said increasing young people's national pride could only benefit the country at both a national and local community level.
He agreed with Lord Goldsmith's findings that "while there isn't a crisis of national identity, there has been a diminution in national pride, in sense of belonging".
"I'm passionate about patriotism," said Mr Patel, "and I think that there is markedly less national pride in Britain compared to countries such as America or India - even when people there do not agree with their leaders' actions, for example, that doesn't affect their love of their country.
"I don't know why we are not more proud of Britain and all we have achieved, but I think it is something to do with us having a more individualistic society nowadays.
"I am all for finding ways to transform that into a more collective, community-minded society, and one that celebrates what it has, so I would have no problem with introducing an allegiance pledge.
"Our pupils without doubt see themselves as British citizens and have a real enthusiasm to contribute to society."
Lord Goldsmith, who resigned from his Government post in June, suggested holding citizenship ceremonies to officially mark the transition of being a student of citizenship to a citizen in practice, and also said a new British national day should be established to coincide with the 2012 Olympics.
Mr Patel added: "I think opportunities to celebrate what is good about Britain can only be good.
"I don't think you can teach Britishness' as such, but we should encourage people to take pride in their heritage."
Previously independent, Tauheedul became one of only a handful of state funded Islamic schools when it re-opened under local authority control two years ago.
Your Say YourBlackburn Citizen
Ahmed Patel, Lammack says...
6:58pm Wed 12 Mar 08
jean, scotland says...
8:53pm Wed 12 Mar 08
lancs, lancs says...
10:04pm Wed 12 Mar 08
jean wrote:Islam is a religion, it has nothing to do with skin colour. The school is for Muslim girls, so opening a "white" school wouldnt be the same thing now would it? Last time I checked "white" wasnt a religion. For the record Im against all state funded religious schools. However it might be something if the education system managed to eradicate stupidness such as the kind you just demonstrated.
all girls muslim school well what next. there would be an uproar if an all whites school this country is a joke and we aint all laughing
not you, gain says...
11:05pm Wed 12 Mar 08
jean wrote:It says all GIRLS muslim school, and not all MUSLIM girls school as you are implying, you NUMPTY!!
all girls muslim school well what next. there would be an uproar if an all whites school this country is a joke and we aint all laughing
And there are all GIRLS catholic schools as well as all GIRLS jewish schools in this country if you haven't noticed.
malik, blackburn says...
11:30pm Wed 12 Mar 08
Bemused, Blackburn says...
11:11am Thu 13 Mar 08
If so I can only assume this does not apply to Muslim schools.
Khalid, blackburn says...
11:27am Thu 13 Mar 08
the school in question allows ANY girl to attend irrespectve of faith or creed. So long as they are willing to abide by their code of conduct (eg uniform etc) any parent from any faith can apply for their girl to attend the school in question.
Anon, Anon says...
11:58am Thu 13 Mar 08
j-vani, says...
12:44pm Thu 13 Mar 08
upstartheadshed, Hull says...
1:12pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Someone who knows, says...
4:58pm Thu 13 Mar 08
TGS IS affiliated to 4 local mosques which were instrunmental in its foundation and so NO DIFFERENT to other faith based schools and their respective church & parish allegiances. TGS DOES allow for non-muslim students in a similar fashion to other faith based schools. TGS has a very diverse workforce of all and non-faiths, ethnicity and gender.
TGS DOES face the same issues as a number of very successful schools nationally who suffer from over subscription due to their success - so not everyone can be appeased!
Imran, Blackburn says...
12:23am Fri 14 Mar 08
Someone who knows, says...
2:48pm Fri 14 Mar 08
top cat, burnley says...
9:43pm Sun 16 Mar 08
Abu-Musa, Blackburn says...
12:06pm Mon 17 Mar 08
The Muslims allegience is only to Allah(swt), the Prophet(saw) and fellow Muslims.
The pledge of allegience in orthodox Islamic teachings is given to a Muslim Ameer or a Caliph.
Its' absurd to pledge allegience to a non-Muslim, let alone the Head of the Church of England.
Would non-Muslims pledege allegience to Islam? I very much doubt it, they've recently made their views very clear about Islam and "Shari'ah Law".
Muslims must be careful of 'uncle toms' in their communities promoting pledging allegience to the queen - who have no knowledge of the Quran and Prophetic Practice.
Sharon, Blackburn says...
1:56pm Mon 17 Mar 08
It is often all too easy to blame immigration for all this countrys problems, but when taking a closer look at some of the more uncomfortable issues (many local), such as teenage pregnancy, binge drinking and its related violence, this has little to do with our Asian population.
The Head Teacher of this particular school appears to be in a no-win situation, as he is backing being British, wanting to encourage young Muslim members of our community to be proud not only of being Muslim, but of being part of this country. Yet he is still berated!
I dont believe swearing an allegiance to Queen and/or country makes any difference to other beliefs, or a persons faith and it should be remembered that not everyone has a faith in God or Allah, but it does not make them any less decent people. One can have values, morals and common decency, even be spiritual, without believing in any religion.
It may be difficult for some to come to terms with having faith schools other than Catholic and CofE in this country and I often hear arguments about you wouldnt get a Christian school over there, but so what? That doesnt make it right and if those members of our community want to feel that Britain is better than those countries, surely we should lead by example? Respect is needed throughout all communities, between all faiths (including atheists and agnostics) and all races.
Integration can also be difficult when there are areas around Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Great Harwood etc, that are predominately white and if an Asian family decided to buy a house in those areas, existing residents would be in uproar, with accusations made of being taken over, so Asian communities exist, another no-win situation in terms of integration.
Finally, as for who can join this particular school, I understand that it is currently located on premises that cannot meet the demand for places, which is high because the school is apparently very high-achieving. Admissions have to be based on the Local Authoritys rules and pupils do not have to be Muslim, but obviously would be expected to study and respect the faith, I am sure. As a non-Muslim, it would not be on my list of schools for sending my daughter, but then neither would a Catholic or Jewish school.
Huzayfa, Blackburn says...
3:50pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Most of the country has criticised Lord Goldsmiths report, but this headtheacher hasn't and i think thats because he is afraid to be called "not british".
The very notion of children swearing allegiance to an unelected head of state is the very opposite of the values we should nourish in this country, such as democracy, equality, fraternity and a sense of national identity.
To pressure the nation's young into taking an oath of allegiance to the Queen will surely create divisiveness.
She does not represent Britain. She is merely a figure of nationhood whihc reinforces both the idea, and the fact, of a social hierarchy.
Huzayfa Patel, Blackburn says...
3:55pm Mon 17 Mar 08
The queen has no infleunce on me politically, socially or economically. I will not swear an oath to her or her son who could beccome king. And most of the people will agree with me.
But I would have no problem if we were to have a constitution and then swearing to that.
What a numptee this Hamid Patel is.
You are alright to disagree Mr Patel and you wont be called less british!
Imran, says...
8:05pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Abu Musa your comments with regards to the allegiance are not as clear cut as you imply. Many scholars would disagree with your viewpoint. It's people like you that make life increasingly difficult for Muslims and none Muslims in this country. Imran Ahmed
Charlotte, Darwen says...
6:57pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Abbas, Balckburn says...
3:48pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Ahmed Patel wrote:I'm glad someone is thinking on the same wavelength as i am. This is an excellent idea. It will make student feel as they belong to this country and give them a sence of pride. We should be proud to be British and i think it should be introduced to every school in Britain regardless of faith. She is our Queen and if you would like to live under a general Pakistan will hapily take you.
As a British Muslim, i am glad that the govt is considering the oath of allegiance to Queen and country. Many many countries rich and poor have this sort of a thing its a shame us Brits do not. Hopefully restoring some pride in being British will resolve some of our societies problems. On a recent visit to Barbados most people there were extremely welcoming when they realised that i was a British, it was a real shame that some other \'so called brit\' had one too many drinks and was taken away be police for urinating in the hotel pool. Hopefully having some national identity together with the introduction of some Tough United States style Policing will do away with our yobbish behaviour and allow people around the globe to associate a brit as being friendly, good natured and not a total yobbish idiot
Another good point is zero tolerance policy on yobs, this will help clear up the scum from Whalley and Audley range while the counsellors **** foot around in their mercedes.
fggfdh, Blackburn says...
1:02am Mon 25 Aug 08
The teachers only care about the results! 2008 results showed a 100% A*-C grades. Mr Hamid is expecting us 101%, promising us things that he does not give us.
I mean, how do you expect such a small school to cope with such large expectations. I am to be in Year 11, and I am grateful for the fact that I will leave soon, with the grades I always wanted, but no such gratefulness towards it.
If such simple things cannot be given, how can an 'Oath' be given to Her Majesty? Such a little promise cannnot even be made to us.
We are teenagers at the end of the day, and I hope people realise that it is very difficult time to cope with exam stress, etc. without anything to look forward to.
The school is not run properly and expects to make their own 6th form. How are they supposed to do that when they cannnot even run a basic school of 60 girls in each year group.
Furthermore, the school gets into personal matters and home life, where we are forced to not to watched television, go to cinemas and concerts etc. However, I do, and many other people do to, and I do not think the school has the right to do so!
You may be thinking why I don't leave this school then, but its only because of the grades do I go there and for my future. The fact that it is an 'Islamic ' school DISGUSTS me as there are girls swearing as much as anything; and trust me, I currently attend the school. In addition to this, many girls need to go into the wider world and not be so narrow-minded.
I also stay because of all the things they promise to do for us in the future. Now I have finally realised they do nowt, but I can't leave now, its too late as I am already in Year 11.
In conclusion, this school is no good, gives false promises and says that they are 'One big family' when they are liers and promisers who do not fulfill their promises. They all put an act on when visitors come.
So next time you visit, please say the truth to them. Its about time they realise...and end the suffering of us students!
mkndklfd, blackburn says...
12:40pm Fri 17 Oct 08
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top cat, burnley says...
6:07pm Wed 12 Mar 08
RISM EH???THAT SLAPS THE GOVERNMENTS PLANS IN THERE FACE,NOT MUCH CHANCE OF THEM GIRLS MIXING IN EH!!WHAT A COUNTRY...1 RULE FOR 1 AND 1 FOR ANOTHER...