Channel 4’s Dispatches this week looked once more at the madrassah system in the UK. Two key issues were highlighted: the administration of corporal punishment in madrassahs, and the breeding of hatred towards non-Muslims (as well as Muslims) through virulent speeches.
On the former, firstly it has to be said that any kind of physical abuse or bullying of children is completely contradictory to the teachings of Islam. Some of the scenes filmed were quite shocking. Shocking from the perspective that they appeared to be quite ‘routine’ for both the ‘teacher’ (almost impulsive) and the students (also impulsive to evade the blows)! So one has to ask the question, are these practices common place in an institution that is meant to represent the exact opposite of such behaviour?
It is a serious question; one which the Muslim community needs to address.
In the state sector, Ofsted routinely inspect and regulate schools to ensure excellence and protection. Failing schools are advised where they are falling short, targeted to improve in these areas, and monitored to ensure the expected standards are achieved. Failing schools are not subjected to ‘spying tactics’ to expose their poor standards.
Having analysed the footage, this was clearly a case of an elderly gentleman, brought up in the Indian Sub-continent, schooled in the ‘traditional’ way (’spare the rod and spoil the child’...I think that’s an old English / Christian saying), doing what he thinks is best, not knowing that there is a better way to teach children. This, in my mind, is the extent of the problem.
So surely, a system of support, training, education etc should have been put in place to assist this particular individual or be introduced at this particular establishment for all teachers. This wasn’t done. The madrassah leadership, the teachers and the parents all failed those they are entrusted to protect – the children. What is the role of the various mosque councils that exist? What about the role of imams? This is an issue that the Muslim community needs to address. I am not naive in thinking that just because only one establishment was caught on camera, some of the other 2,000 or so are not also failing.
Furthermore the particular establishment under investigation had previously been highlighted (by Channel 4...Disptaches) as having a problem with excessive ‘discipline’ in the past. So to discover the same again isn’t entirely surprising.
The second issue....
Firstly, the views which were expressed by individuals in a single establishment should not be used as a ‘benchmark’ to castigate the whole community of believers. This is the first time I myself have heard such edicts in my entire life...my eldest child is at college, so do the maths yourselves. Such views should not be interpreted as mainstream, or typical of madrassah preaching’s around the UK. Further, such interpretations of Islam should be challenged by Muslims themselves, as they are best placed to make those challenges.
Quite often, the meaning can be lost in translation of the Arabic text into English. An incomplete understanding of the language, as well as other Islamic sciences, can be very dangerous. While the possibility of legitimate difference of opinion (ikthelaaf) amongst Muslims does exist, there can also be errant interpretations of texts by those with a more mischievous agenda or sometimes out of plain ignorance. At the same time it is not the place of the media or the government to dictate what Islam is and is not, no matter how unpalatable an issue may be for them. This is where the Muslim community need to ensure institutions exist to allow such challenges, and parents, mosques, community representatives and madrassah leaders all have a role to play.
Finally.....
Let us look at the findings in context. Can anyone tell me how many madrassahs there are in the UK? Let’s say a couple of thousand. So, how many madrassah did our roving reporters visit? I recall three in total, with the incidents of abuse all seen in just one of the establishments. The concerns raised are not rampant or widespread throughout the madrassah community, as was inferred. Neither is this, as the programme attempts to portray, a problem with Islam. To dress it up as such is both irresponsible and mischievous.
So is 0.05% statistically representative of the madrassahs in the UK? Worthy of two years investigation by our super sleuths? Don’t get me wrong, let us root out all wrongdoing wherever it is... but are there not more serious crimes being committed in society which warrant our attention?
For example, Childline, a charity offering support to children who are victims of abuse, received over half a million calls from children asking for help (NSPCC Report 2009 / 2010). Worthy of investigation? Of course, no-one would disagree.
Context is all important here. Given the role of the media in today’s society, it is clear that the Dispatches programme set out to depict a specific portrayal of Islam and Islamic teachings, and to reinforce the stereotype of Muslims preachers as the mouthpiece of hatred, separatism, and violence.
Zero marks to Channel 4 and Tazeen Ahmed, as far as journalism goes I’m afraid. Further heightening tensions in an already racially charged atmosphere, I wonder how much ‘collateral damage’ we will see as a direct result of their sensational reporting. To Miss Ahmed directly, are you really expecting the masjid official to let you in with a camera team behind you? I’m sure not, but I guess it makes good television, and allows you to interpret the refusal as a sign of guilt. Spying is a shameless act in any society or belief system, not only Islam. You would find more support from fellow Muslims if you tackled these issues in a more befitting manner rather than dramatize them for Channel 4 ratings. This may help you rise to the dizzy heights you hope to reach in your career, but in the long run, will not help anyone. Would you adopt the same approach to resolve an issue in your personal life? If not, perhaps you need to ask yourself why the disparity.
That such issues are reported ‘undercover’ and then ‘sensationalised’ for the baying masses by an irresponsible media machine, is a real concern here. Today’s populace are easy meat for the controlling media, groomed by a cocktail of scandal and expose, gossip and blame. Such behaviour would not be tolerated in a modern organisation, and would also be viewed negatively if the basis of a relationship between individuals. So why is it the norm when it comes to the media? What has happened to investigative reporting that is honest and responsible, rather than politically motivated? This is embedded journalism at its best (or worst).
Unfortunately until we as a society address the building blocks of the relationships between individuals, the seeds of distrust, disharmony, and disunity will continue to be sown. We will always be pointing the finger, looking for someone to blame for society’s ills, rather than helping each other in striving for true progress and harmony.
Hamid Chaudry
Editorial Team
Bayyina Foundation
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