Syria’s training minister on Thursday sought to minimise curriculum modifications introduced this week by the brand new Islamist-led authorities, after activists denounced them as “extremist” and doubtlessly dangerous to spiritual minorities.
Syria minister defends faculty curriculum modifications after uproar
The amendments had been introduced Wednesday on the Fb web page of the interim management’s training ministry, a bit below a month since forces led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.
The modifications embrace scrapping poetry referring to ladies and love and references to “Gods” in historical historical past programs, and decoding a Quranic verse about those that had angered God and strayed as referring to “Jews and Nasara”, a derogatory time period for Christians.
The nationwide anthem has additionally been faraway from textbooks, with the ministry describing it as “the regime’s anthem”.
And the nationalistic phrase “to sacrifice one’s life in defence of his homeland” has been changed with the Islamist “to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of Allah”.
Training Minister Nazir al-Qadri, in a press release shared on Telegram on Thursday, mentioned the modifications had been solely meant to scrap “glorifying” references to the deposed president and proper misinterpretations of the Quran, Islam’s holy ebook.
“The curricula in all Syrian schools will remain as is until specialised committees are formed to review and audit” them, he mentioned.
“We have only ordered the deletion of parts glorifying the defunct Assad regime, and we have adopted pictures of the Syrian Revolution flag instead of the defunct regime flag,” Qadri mentioned.
“Incorrect” data has additionally been amended within the Islamic training curriculum the place “some Quranic verses were explained in the wrong way”, he mentioned.
The modifications have sparked controversy, with many taking to social media to specific outrage.
Activist and journalist Shiyar Khaleal lambasted the modifications in a Fb submit, warning that “education based on extremist ideologies may shape individuals whose ideas threaten regional and international security”.
The brand new authorities face the daunting process of rebuilding state establishments formed by the Assad household’s five-decade rule, however some Syrians have voiced considerations that they could be overstepping their interim capability.
“Changing the curriculum under the supervision of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is not just an educational danger, but a long-term threat to the social fabric and future of Syria,” mentioned Khaleal.
Journalist Ziad Haidar described the modifications as “educational executions” in a Fb submit, warning that “specific religious groups have been targeted”.
Syria’s new rulers have repeatedly sought to reassure minorities that they won’t be harmed, with the worldwide neighborhood additionally urging them to guard the nation’s numerous communities.
mam-aya/ami