Radiofree West Hartford - Madrassas and American Public Schools by Ben Cerruti

Madrassas and American Public Schools

By Ben Cerruti

July 03, 2004

Madrassas, Islamic Schools, and American Public Schools do have a similarity; this similarity lies in the fact that they both graduate students that have been indocrinated with a unilateral social ideology. Some may argue that Madrassas deal with religion but, in fact, the tenets of the Koran that are taught include much involving the manner in which the society must function.

The Madrassa, as first conceived, was a seminary where students of various ages go to be schooled in reading and religious studies. It replaced regular elementary education and higher education, and ultimately produced religious leaders. The Koran, open to many interpretations, has provided the means for Islamic elements to propagate those tenets that do not allow for any deviation from the social structure they dictate.

So, you say, how can you possibly say American Public Schools are in any way like Madrassas? I will explain. You surely will agree that when we come into this world we are subject to the environment to which we are exposed. It stands to reason that if any one of us where born in the Middle East we could end up as a graduate of a Maddrassa - and a person of Middle East descent born in the U.S. could end up graduating from a Public School. Conceivably then, any one of us could end up as a supporter of mid-east terrorism or a even a terrorist, if graduated from a Madrassa. Hence, this proves our minds are malleable.

Fortunately, our Public Schools do not presently include terrorism in their indoctrination. However, they have taken on the task over the years to provide instructions on social matters not related to the three R's. Supported by public funding special interest groups, aided and abetted by politically motivated forces, have slowly and surely infiltrated the educational curriculums to meet their own economic and political ends. It starts with the teacher's unions whose primary aim is to protect the teacher's interest over that of the student. Following closely behind are those who wish to forcibly introduce their own concepts of sex education and acceptance of abnormal life styles. Whatever the issue may be you can find activists attempting to include its message into the curriculum. Without the ability to fund their children's education outside the public school system many parents have seen their children being socially and politically brain washed without even knowing that it is happening.

Further, rather than being secular, Public Schools have in essence become anti-religious. Secular is defined as "not overtly or specifically religious". It should be obvious from well publicized past actions taken by public school officials, some ruled on by our court system, that they have been blatantly overt.

Is it then possible that the problems created by the Madrassas and Public Schools have the same basic solution? After all it is apparent when government does not allow multi-lateral education to flourish, the results are what we see presently occurring in the world and in our country. In this country supporting education with government funding does not necessarily mean the government must operate the system itself. It can tie the funding to those in the private sector providing a basic curriculum that meets the requisites of the three R's and does not teach subject matter advocating anarchy. Visit Alliance for the Separation of School and State .

Hopefully, Islamic countries and especially Saudi Arabia will start to reform their educational systems and move towards a representative government that will eventually allow freedom of religion and emancipation of women. It would seem that it would be a much easier task for the leaders in our country and communities to start to think of reforming our educational system by removing government from its operation that would, in effect, allow true freedom of religious ( or non-religious) education. In comparison with the middle east we are already one step ahead with the emancipation of women.