ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Its most virulent critics have dubbed it "Terror High" and 12 U.S. senators and a federal commission want to shut it down.
The teachers, administrators and some 900 students at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Fairfax County have heard the allegations for years — after the Sept. 11 attacks and then a few years later when a class valedictorian admitted he had joined Al Qaeda.
Now the school is on the defensive again, with a report issued last month by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom saying the academy should be closed pending a review of its curriculum and textbooks.
Abdalla al-Shabnan, the school's director general, says criticism of the school is based not on evidence but on preconceived notions of the Saudi educational system.
The school, serving grades K-12 on campuses in Fairfax and Alexandria, receives financial support from the Saudi government and its textbooks are based on Saudi curriculum. Critics say the Saudis propagate a severe version of Islam in their schools.
But al-Shabnan said the school significantly modified those textbooks to remove passages deemed intolerant of other religions. Among the changes, officials removed from teachers' versions of first-grade textbooks an excerpt instructing teachers to explain "that all religions, other than Islam, are false, including that of the Jews, Christians and all others."
At an open house earlier this month in which the school invited reporters to tour the school and meet students and faculty, al-Shabnan seemed weary of the criticism.
"I didn't think we'd have to do this," he said of the open house. "Our neighbors know us. They know the job we are doing."
Indeed, many people familiar with the school say the accusations are unfounded. Fairfax County Supervisor Gerald Hyland, whose district includes the academy, has defended it and arranged for the county to review the textbooks to put questions to rest. That review is under way. The academy's Alexandria campus is leased from Fairfax County.
Schools that regularly compete against the academy in interscholastic sports — many of them small, private Christian schools — are among the academy's strongest defenders.
Robert Mead, soccer coach at Bryant Alternative High School, a public school in the Alexandria section of Fairfax county, said the academy's reputation has been unfairly marred by people who haven't even bothered to visit the school.
"We've never had one altercation" with the academy's players on the soccer field, Mead said. "My guys are hostile. Their guys keep fights from breaking out."
The academy opened in 1984 and stayed out of the spotlight until the Sept. 11 attacks. Criticisms were revived in 2005, when a former class valedictorian, Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, was charged with joining al-Qaida while attending college in Saudi Arabia. He was convicted on several charges, including plotting to assassinate President Bush, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Most recently, the religious freedom commission — an independent federal agency created by Congress — issued its report, saying it was rebuffed in its efforts to obtain textbooks to verify claims they had been reformed.
The commission recommended that the academy be shut down until it could review the textbooks to ensure they do not promote intolerance.
What are everyones thoughts on this? I'm still thinking....I mean on one hand, it is a privately funded school so what can you really do about it, its no different really then a catholic or christian school that teaches their beliefs, but then if they suspect that the school is teaching "terrorism" which really wasn't stated we don't want that either.....lend me your thoughts! :-2
Terror High School?
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drumbunny1
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:29 am
Terror High School?
The school, serving grades K-12 on campuses in Fairfax and Alexandria, receives financial support from the Saudi government and its textbooks are based on Saudi curriculum. Critics say the Saudis propagate a severe version of Islam in their schools.
I'll probably catch hell for this, BUT they are in America. They need to follow America's curriculum or get the hell out. My opinion, for what it's worth.
I'll probably catch hell for this, BUT they are in America. They need to follow America's curriculum or get the hell out. My opinion, for what it's worth.
Terror High School?
I did a little research on the so called "terror school"
A few lines on it:
http://www.investors.com/editorial/edit ... 5735498404
The Alexandria, Va.-based Islamic Saudi Academy is a breeding ground for terrorists, including the al-Qaida operative convicted last year of trying to assassinate President Bush.
The commission has asked the State Department to close the school pending a thorough review of its curriculum and texts. State has broad discretion over the school because, as an arm of the Saudi government, it's subject to the Foreign Missions Act 22 U.S.C. 4301-4316.
The Post editorialists called the move "irresponsible." First, they tried to compare the madrassa to parochial schools. "Many such schools teach what outsiders might consider intolerance: that homosexuality is a sin, for example, or that only those who believe in Jesus Christ are destined for heaven," they said.
Then they argued that there's no proof the Saudi academy has cross the lines of intolerance into "advocating violence."
"The commission presented no evidence, or even a credible suggestion, that this is occurring at the Saudi academy," the Post editorial board opined. "Thus it was the commission that crossed the lines."
But evidence has been presented in the very pages of the Post. If only the paper's higher-ups would read the copy of their news reporters.
Take the Feb. 25, 2002, Post story headlined, "Where Two Worlds Collide; Muslim Schools Face Tension of Islamic, U.S. Views." It noted that numerous textbooks used by the Islamic Saudi Academy promote "hatred of non-Muslims and Shiite Muslims."
"The 11th-grade textbook, for example, says one sign of the Day of Judgment will be that Muslims will fight and kill Jews, who will hide behind trees that say: 'Oh Muslim, Oh servant of God, here is a Jew hiding behind me. Come here and kill him,' " the article said.
It goes on to quote several students of the school who say they are taught in Islamic studies that "it is better to shun and even to dislike Christians, Jews and Shiite Muslims."
One teen, who recited by memory parts of the Quran, told the Post he's taught by academy teachers that it's OK for Muslims to hurt or steal from such "kaffirs."
This was the steady diet of hate that the Saudi academy fed Ahmed Abu Ali, the would-be al-Qaida assassin.
Lest anyone think he was a misfit loner, Ali graduated valedictorian and was voted by his class "Most Likely to Be a Martyr," which in this jihadist school is like being voted Most Popular.
Why is this militant madrassa still operating just across the Potomac from the White House and Capitol? Because Fairfax County is still leasing it an old high school building, and the Democrat county supervisor in charge of the lease doesn't see any problem with the school.
The supervisor recently took a tour of the campus and "was reassured by what he saw in the English materials," the Post editorial said.
What about the Arabic texts? He doesn't read Arabic. But the Saudi Embassy, which controls the school, assures him they're clean.
The nonprofit Freedom House recently translated a sample of those cleaned-up official Saudi texts and found they're still indoctrinating students to wage jihad against the infidel to "spread the faith."
Here's what an eighth-grade Saudi text teaches — with the intolerant parts removed: "The apes are Jews, the people of the Sabbath; while the swine are the Christians, the infidels of the communion of Jesus."
In short, nothing has really changed in Saudi texts or schools — nor in Washington, which is still blindly tolerating intolerance.
A few lines on it:
http://www.investors.com/editorial/edit ... 5735498404
The Alexandria, Va.-based Islamic Saudi Academy is a breeding ground for terrorists, including the al-Qaida operative convicted last year of trying to assassinate President Bush.
The commission has asked the State Department to close the school pending a thorough review of its curriculum and texts. State has broad discretion over the school because, as an arm of the Saudi government, it's subject to the Foreign Missions Act 22 U.S.C. 4301-4316.
The Post editorialists called the move "irresponsible." First, they tried to compare the madrassa to parochial schools. "Many such schools teach what outsiders might consider intolerance: that homosexuality is a sin, for example, or that only those who believe in Jesus Christ are destined for heaven," they said.
Then they argued that there's no proof the Saudi academy has cross the lines of intolerance into "advocating violence."
"The commission presented no evidence, or even a credible suggestion, that this is occurring at the Saudi academy," the Post editorial board opined. "Thus it was the commission that crossed the lines."
But evidence has been presented in the very pages of the Post. If only the paper's higher-ups would read the copy of their news reporters.
Take the Feb. 25, 2002, Post story headlined, "Where Two Worlds Collide; Muslim Schools Face Tension of Islamic, U.S. Views." It noted that numerous textbooks used by the Islamic Saudi Academy promote "hatred of non-Muslims and Shiite Muslims."
"The 11th-grade textbook, for example, says one sign of the Day of Judgment will be that Muslims will fight and kill Jews, who will hide behind trees that say: 'Oh Muslim, Oh servant of God, here is a Jew hiding behind me. Come here and kill him,' " the article said.
It goes on to quote several students of the school who say they are taught in Islamic studies that "it is better to shun and even to dislike Christians, Jews and Shiite Muslims."
One teen, who recited by memory parts of the Quran, told the Post he's taught by academy teachers that it's OK for Muslims to hurt or steal from such "kaffirs."
This was the steady diet of hate that the Saudi academy fed Ahmed Abu Ali, the would-be al-Qaida assassin.
Lest anyone think he was a misfit loner, Ali graduated valedictorian and was voted by his class "Most Likely to Be a Martyr," which in this jihadist school is like being voted Most Popular.
Why is this militant madrassa still operating just across the Potomac from the White House and Capitol? Because Fairfax County is still leasing it an old high school building, and the Democrat county supervisor in charge of the lease doesn't see any problem with the school.
The supervisor recently took a tour of the campus and "was reassured by what he saw in the English materials," the Post editorial said.
What about the Arabic texts? He doesn't read Arabic. But the Saudi Embassy, which controls the school, assures him they're clean.
The nonprofit Freedom House recently translated a sample of those cleaned-up official Saudi texts and found they're still indoctrinating students to wage jihad against the infidel to "spread the faith."
Here's what an eighth-grade Saudi text teaches — with the intolerant parts removed: "The apes are Jews, the people of the Sabbath; while the swine are the Christians, the infidels of the communion of Jesus."
In short, nothing has really changed in Saudi texts or schools — nor in Washington, which is still blindly tolerating intolerance.
"If America Was A Tree, The Left Would Root For The Termites...Greg Gutfeld."
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drumbunny1
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:29 am
Terror High School?
Jeez....well theres OBVIOUS proof then...I didn't realize how much hate they're teaching, practically trying to infiltrate and destroy from the inside! Especially the "Most likely to become a martyr" thats spooky....they need to be kicked out!!!
Terror High School?
Jester;725709 wrote: And some wonder why we have a rise in armed militia's? Not that I am to this point myself, but when a member of our own government can ignore the contsitution and allow a threat within our borders it's no wonder militant groups are becoming more prevelent.
This has to stop. If BTS' source's are correct why hasn't this school been shut down and NOW!
Exactly
This has to stop. If BTS' source's are correct why hasn't this school been shut down and NOW!
Exactly
Terror High School?
Peg;724925 wrote: I'll probably catch hell for this, BUT they are in America. They need to follow America's curriculum or get the hell out. My opinion, for what it's worth.
Insularity is worth its weight in gold.
Peg, give us your opinion of the American International School in Riyadh just so we can compare your view from two sides.AIS-R offers an enriched American curriculum with an International perspective for students in preschool through grade 12. The curriculum is based on US national standards in all subjects and is complimented by an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
Insularity is worth its weight in gold.
Peg, give us your opinion of the American International School in Riyadh just so we can compare your view from two sides.AIS-R offers an enriched American curriculum with an International perspective for students in preschool through grade 12. The curriculum is based on US national standards in all subjects and is complimented by an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
Terror High School?
Jester;726253 wrote: Looks non-religious to me. I bet they dont teach "kill the arab infidels' there!Were I to paraphrase Peg, the mirror image to her initial post would say "BUT they are in Saudi Arabia. They need to follow Saudi Arabia's curriculum or get the hell out. My opinion, for what it's worth."
I disagree with both sides of that mirror image but I would like her to say whether she agrees with both statements and if not both then why not.
I disagree with both sides of that mirror image but I would like her to say whether she agrees with both statements and if not both then why not.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
Terror High School?
And so would I if it did. Perhaps the picture will clear eventually and we'll all get a better idea whether that's the case.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
Terror High School?
Scrat;726460 wrote: Watch it!! BTS has his torch and pitchfork in hand!!
I'd really like to see the evidence for this guys assasination attempt in our idiot president. This isn't any different than the kangaroo courts of Hitlers Germany or some of the shenanigans of the communist radicals.
Even if he did, would one bad apple automatically mean that the entire barrel was bad - isn't that like saying Columbine was a school for mass murderers and the school itself was responsible?
I'd really like to see the evidence for this guys assasination attempt in our idiot president. This isn't any different than the kangaroo courts of Hitlers Germany or some of the shenanigans of the communist radicals.
Even if he did, would one bad apple automatically mean that the entire barrel was bad - isn't that like saying Columbine was a school for mass murderers and the school itself was responsible?