Islamic schools in US

[King]

I was surprised when I learnt yesterday about an Islamic school in the US.

http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/2297

This is not a school in Islamic Studies. It is a KG level school for small kids with Islamic emphasis.

This school aparently has lessons in Arabic and is mostly made up of Desi students. Teachers also are mostly Desi.

Now I do not want to give this a negative slant by default. They may very well be doing good work as well as getting expatriate kids to learn something about their religion as well. However, I was troubled to learn about this and hence thought I will post it here and see what others' take on this is.

One thing that added to this feeling is that it is a well known fact that Desi muslims in US (In general) mix more with Muslim circles than Indian Circles.

[padhu]

King...nothing new in this.

There are 3 within the Northern Virginia area itself and as you correctly pointed out a lot of desis (Indian/Paki Muslims) have their kids enrolled there.

[echarcha]

So now USA will have homegrown terrorists! :down:

[King]

King...nothing new in this.

There are 3 within the Northern Virginia area itself and as you correctly pointed out a lot of desis (Indian/Paki Muslims) have their kids enrolled there.

I wonder why Muslim Indians feel different ( I am talking about the ones here in US). These are not the poor muslims in India, these are the people who have benefitted from India and are a testimony to how India treats Minorities. Why do they have to keep apart from the other Indians I wonder.

Is there similar Hindu schools in the US? I mean 90% of Indians in US must be Hindu and if there are no Hindu schools why do the remaining (<) 10% feel the necessity to have their own religious school.

[rameshp]

Now I do not want to give this a negative slant by default.

you dont need to give a negative slant specifically, yaar. by default, issues involving muslim and islam have become negative. no wonder even if these kids end up in a terrorist camp in pukistan just like british asian kids!:down:

[max de Indiana]

:D So now USA will have homegrown terrorists! :down:

such schools must be shutdown immediately :mad: :D

[echarcha]

I wonder why Muslim Indians feel different ( I am talking about the ones here in US). These are not the poor muslims in India, these are the people who have benefitted from India and are a testimony to how India treats Minorities. Why do they have to keep apart from the other Indians I wonder.

Is there similar Hindu schools in the US? I mean 90% of Indians in US must be Hindu and if there are no Hindu schools why do the remaining (<) 10% feel the necessity to have their own religious school.

King, let me tell you. For Muslims there is no concept of country and loyalty to their country. For them the only concept is "Ummah" - which means one land without boundaries under one God, their God.

So when an Indian Muslim comes to USA, he feels more comfortable mingling with other Muslims. They dont care about their homeland or the new home USA. Its all about their God and Islam. In the Bay Area there are certain 'Pakistani apartments' where only Muslims from India and Pak and other parts of the world live. You will never find Indian Muslims willing to stay in an apartment complex where other non-Muslim Indians, Americans, Chinese, others stay. They want to congregate in apartments where they are with their own. Go to certain areas of San Jose, Mountain View, Santa Clara and you will see what I mean.

Such schools will have heavy emphasis on Islamic teachings and do you think the students will learn an unbiased view of other religions? :rolleyes:

[max de Indiana]

"Ummah" - which means one land without boundaries under one God, their God.

:rolleyes:

the theory seems like very ideal,....
world supposed to be like this...

but not according to what these dumb mullah thinks :D

[Desa]

Catholics have their own schools and so do jews. So what is the problem if the muslims are having their own school in order to preserve their religion. I know a islamic school which is approved by the board of education and they really teach their children to be best and loyal citizen of US, the country they are in now. Well as long as the question of muslim mingling with muslim pakistani. Do you ever stop to think that it could be more because muslim find more activities to do with muslims than with people of other religions. For example, almost every hindu drinks and it is ok with their religion. But for the muslim this is a big sin. So if the activity of hindu is to get drunk and enjoy, then a muslim will not like to mingle among other hindus. Similar is the case of vegetarian hindu. Now you wouldn't like your child to eat meat, which is allowed according to islam. Now when you are in US and are US citizen, then I don't think you should start thinking in the lines of India and pakistan anymore because all of you are citizen of the same country - US. If you still want to have those Indian-pakistani conflict, then go back to India.

If hindus don't have their own school, then they are to be blamed for not preserving their own culture. No government is here stopping them from opening their own private school. Why should muslims not preserve their own religion? And one more thing, if you have observed that Muslim culture in India differs a lot from hindu culture and it is more similar to pakistani culture. I have also seen that sikh from punjab mixes very well with pakistani punjabi than with any other Indian.Because they have a common language they can communicate with. As long as they don't talk about politics, they are really good friends. Similar is also the case of Indian and Pakistani muslims.

Instead of thinking in the terms of religion, start thinking about in terms of compatibility of one person with another on a personal level. How much they can connect with each other? Also on the same note let me also point this out to you that I have usually seen that Indian-pakistani muslims don't mix with arab muslims at all even though the religion is same.

[UMA]

So now USA will have homegrown terrorists! :down:

your opnion does not count, because you are anti-muslim :D :D

[echarcha]

Catholics have their own schools and so do jews. So what is the problem if the muslims are having their own school in order to preserve their religion. I know a islamic school which is approved by the board of education and they really teach their children to be best and loyal citizen of US, the country they are in now. Well as long as the question of muslim mingling with muslim pakistani. Do you ever stop to think that it could be more because muslim find more activities to do with muslims than with people of other religions. For example, almost every hindu drinks and it is ok with their religion. But for the muslim this is a big sin. So if the activity of hindu is to get drunk and enjoy, then a muslim will not like to mingle among other hindus. Similar is the case of vegetarian hindu. Now you wouldn't like your child to eat meat, which is allowed according to islam. Now when you are in US and are US citizen, then I don't think you should start thinking in the lines of India and pakistan anymore because all of you are citizen of the same country - US. If you still want to have those Indian-pakistani conflict, then go back to India.

If hindus don't have their own school, then they are to be blamed for not preserving their own culture. No government is here stopping them from opening their own private school. Why should muslims not preserve their own religion? And one more thing, if you have observed that Muslim culture in India differs a lot from hindu culture and it is more similar to pakistani culture. I have also seen that sikh from punjab mixes very well with pakistani punjabi than with any other Indian.Because they have a common language they can communicate with. As long as they don't talk about politics, they are really good friends. Similar is also the case of Indian and Pakistani muslims.

Instead of thinking in the terms of religion, start thinking about in terms of compatibility of one person with another on a personal level. How much they can connect with each other? Also on the same note let me also point this out to you that I have usually seen that Indian-pakistani muslims don't mix with arab muslims at all even though the religion is same.

The Jews or Christians or Hindus dont teach their young ones about 'jeehad' against 'infidels', where as Islam is based upon 'killing all non believers' . Islam is 'submission' and not the goody goody 'religion of peace'. Muslims dont owe alliegance to any country except their Allah and the concept of Ummah. So Muslims schools in USA might just be a modern versoin of the madarassa in USA. All this talk about teaching the kids to be loyal to USA. Ha ha ha ha.. remember that Muslim US marine who threw a hand grenade in his own camp and killed his fellow marines at the start of this Iraq war? Where was his loyalty? :rolleyes:

India has been appeasing Muslims all the while and as a result seen more than its fair share of problems due to Muslims (Kashmir..) and USA has not learnt this bitter lesson yet. :(

UMA,
My opinion is atleast firm - I dont believe in this 'religion of peace'. You are welcome to embrace your next door friendly towelhead and blow yourself up to Allah's glory. :D

[Desa]

The Jews or Christians or Hindus dont teach their young ones about 'jeehad' against 'infidels', where as Islam is based upon 'killing all non believers' . Islam is 'submission' and not the goody goody 'religion of peace'. Muslims dont owe alliegance to any country except their Allah and the concept of Ummah. So Muslims schools in USA might just be a modern versoin of the madarassa in USA. All this talk about teaching the kids to be loyal to USA. Ha ha ha ha.. remember that Muslim US marine who threw a hand grenade in his own camp and killed his fellow marines at the start of this Iraq war? Where was his loyalty? :rolleyes:

India has been appeasing Muslims all the while and as a result seen more than its fair share of problems due to Muslims (Kashmir..) and USA has not learnt this bitter lesson yet. :(

UMA,
My opinion is atleast firm - I dont believe in this 'religion of peace'. You are welcome to embrace your next door friendly towelhead and blow yourself up to Allah's glory. :D

I believe you haven't read anything about Islam specially these issues. By the way catholics openly owe allegiance to the Pope in Rome no matter which country they belong to. Also jews feel special relation to Israel. You remember one guy who wasn't loyal to his country. But there are others like Mansoor Ijaz (Terrorism expert, former nuclear adviser to Clinton administration, now working as a FOX News Channel foreign affairs and terrorism analyst) or Fareed Zakaria (The editor of Newsweek International and host of PBS's Foreign Exchange). For the biography of Mansoor Ijaz and Fareed Zakaria:
Fareed Zakaria's Biography (http://www.msnbc.com/modules/newsweek/info/nwinfo_zakaria.asp)
Mansoor Ijaz's biography (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,46241,00.html)
And since you are here pointing to some Muslims who have done bad. How about Timothy McVeigh (catholic), the one accused of Oklahoma City bombing or Eric Rudolph, Atlanta Olympic stadium bomber and other bombings. Eric Rudolph specially did it in the name of Christianity. Here is a link about him.
http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/crime/terrorists/eric-rudolph/

Also you are saying that the muslims are not going to be loyal to any country and India should have gotten rid of muslims. Lets look at some of the Muslims and their contribution to India.

APJ Abdul Kalam: Father of Indian missile technology and president of India (how dare he made those missiles knowing they might be used against pakistan)
Veer Abdul Hameed: Who single-handedly stood up to Pakistani tanks in India’s most famous win during the 1965 war with Pakistan. Awarded Param Veer Chakra for his bravery. (I still wonder why he killed his brother muslims)
Captain Hameeduddin: who laid down his life in capturing tiger hills during Kargil war.
Azeem Premji: Chief of WIPRO. One of the biggest player of India's IT revolution.

There is also a list of numerous freedom fighters on both violent and non-violent sides.

I wonder what the hell were they thinking when they started contributing. They weren't supposed to do that I think. Right. :rolleyes:

[UMA]

UMA,
My opinion is atleast firm - I dont believe in this 'religion of peace'. You are welcome to embrace your next door friendly towelhead and blow yourself up to Allah's glory. :D

Your opinion spawns hatred :D you are more likely to be blown to pieces than I would. :D

[echarcha]

Your opinion spawns hatred :D you are more likely to be blown to pieces than I would. :D

YOua re wrong. NOne of us stands a better chance at being saved. The religion of peace followers will just blow up a bomb and will not care if you love them or not.

[UMA]

YOua re wrong. NOne of us stands a better chance at being saved. The religion of peace followers will just blow up a bomb and will not care if you love them or not.

So, you will live your life in fear - but, not me :D

You are a paranoid and your paranoia is fear/distrust of muslims :D

[echarcha]

So, you will live your life in fear - but, not me :D

You are a paranoid and your paranoia is fear/distrust of muslims :D

I dont live in a fantasy world. I know the truth that Musims are the new threat to peace and security. They will kill infidels to meet their jeehad agenda. While you may live with them, embrace them and live a so called 'worry free' life, I will just stay away from them and not trust them at all. This does not make me paranoid of them but just steers me away from such elements.

Laugh all you want, take a dig all you want at me - I understand your urges and compulsions : but its finally this - If you and I happen to be on the same flight which the Muslim terrorists decide to blow up, atleast I will know why I got blown up whereas you will die with the same smile on your face and false trust on the very same folks who blew you up. :D

[charminar]

I believe you haven't read anything about Islam specially these issues. By the way catholics openly owe allegiance to the Pope in Rome no matter which country they belong to. Also jews feel special relation to Israel. You remember one guy who wasn't loyal to his country. But there are others like Mansoor Ijaz (Terrorism expert, former nuclear adviser to Clinton administration, now working as a FOX News Channel foreign affairs and terrorism analyst) or Fareed Zakaria (The editor of Newsweek International and host of PBS's Foreign Exchange). For the biography of Mansoor Ijaz and Fareed Zakaria:
Fareed Zakaria's Biography (http://www.msnbc.com/modules/newsweek/info/nwinfo_zakaria.asp)
Mansoor Ijaz's biography (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,46241,00.html)
And since you are here pointing to some Muslims who have done bad. How about Timothy McVeigh (catholic), the one accused of Oklahoma City bombing or Eric Rudolph, Atlanta Olympic stadium bomber and other bombings. Eric Rudolph specially did it in the name of Christianity. Here is a link about him.
http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/crime/terrorists/eric-rudolph/

Also you are saying that the muslims are not going to be loyal to any country and India should have gotten rid of muslims. Lets look at some of the Muslims and their contribution to India.

APJ Abdul Kalam: Father of Indian missile technology and president of India (how dare he made those missiles knowing they might be used against pakistan)
Veer Abdul Hameed: Who single-handedly stood up to Pakistani tanks in India’s most famous win during the 1965 war with Pakistan. Awarded Param Veer Chakra for his bravery. (I still wonder why he killed his brother muslims)
Captain Hameeduddin: who laid down his life in capturing tiger hills during Kargil war.
Azeem Premji: Chief of WIPRO. One of the biggest player of India's IT revolution.

There is also a list of numerous freedom fighters on both violent and non-violent sides.

I wonder what the hell were they thinking when they started contributing. They weren't supposed to do that I think. Right. :rolleyes:

Desa, Do you think you can change the mind set by informing all these things, No way.

What's wrong in having Islamic schools In US, I will be sending my kid to Islamic school in Dallas from next year and i want him to continue there untill his 12th grade.

[echarcha]

Desa, Do you think you can change the mind set by informing all these things, No way.

What's wrong in having Islamic schools In US, I will be sending my kid to Islamic school in Dallas from next year and i want him to continue there untill his 12th grade.

charminar.. unfortunately there are very few sane Muslims like you, who would probably stand up against this jeehad nonsense. However, the majority just seems to keep quiet.

Remember that transformation has to come from within the religion. Hindus had some wrong practises like sati carried on in the modern ages and nonsense like no education for girls, etc. It was Hindus like Jyotiba Phule and Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the hundreds of thousands of Hindus who supported them to abolish Sati and get the the right for girls to have an education.

Unless the transofrmation comes from within the Muslim community - which it is not for now - there will be a wrong picture of Islam always.

[Sane Less]

Now is this a full-fledged school or just an add-on? I know that the local mandir has classes to teach hindi and indian culture, but this is an add-on...along with regular schooling.

Desai pai, I can understand your points... well made and illustrated... but there are also a lot of illustrations made by the jihadis... now, we need to see which illustrations make a better picture :)

If these islamic schools teach about peaceful islam (which definitely is an oxymoron) then things may not be bad, but what if it is jihadi culture being taught (as per the book of peace)? Would you send your kids to these schools then? I ask you, desai pai as well as charming pai... Would you guys send your kids to schools that explain and subjugate students to the violent methods of the book of peace? Keep in mind that they are teaching what's in the book not what your opinions are!

Uma tai, what can one say of you? You may or may not love muslims, but you are definitely anti chai pai :D But don't worry, chai pai is not going around with belts that go boom :D

[King]

I think the main problem is that Muslim schools (Not necessarily in the US) have a reputation of breeding fanatics and terrorists. Even Pakistan is struggling to close down or atleast control the madrassas. And what about the "loyal muslim citizens" of London who conveniently bombed their own country? Even their own family members say that they developed a fanatic streak after getting coaching by some mullas.

Again as I said in my first post, the Islamic schools may be doing a great job at raising good citizens, but the current events in the world sort of lead to this feeling of distrust.

Please do not get condescending here. Everyone "stops to think" about issues instead of just running off their mouths.

Regarding the issue of compatibility, many Hindus do not drink and there is a equal mix of vegetarians and non-vegetarians in a gathering. This never prevented people from mixing together. Do they force the Muslims to Drink? Or just because I meet with a Muslim, am I forced to eat non-vegetarian?

About the issue of thinking in terms in "Indians and Pakistanis", all may be US citizens, but there are still connections. I am sure a Pakistani will not be supporting charitable causes in India. Also Muslims of Indian Origin surely go back to India; make use of dual citizenship or PIO cards. So it is wise to think in terms of India and Pakistan even though you may contrive to throw the case out as trivial.

You are right about one thing - about hindus not being too particular and proud of their own religion and culture. If we were, we would not have been molested for centuries by invaders of other religions who rampaged at will.

And you really contradict yourself while saying Punjabi sikhs have more in common with Punjabi Pakistanis. This is exactly my point. A telugu muslim should have more in common with a telugu Hindu than a pustun/sindhi/punjabi Pakistani right?

To reiterate, my initial negative reaction to this stems from two points. One is because of my desire to consider all Indians as united. It is realy troubling that some Indians prefer not to mingle with other Indians because of religious issues. Secondly it is because Islamic schools have been know to nurture religious intolerance and the fact of such institutions being in the area where you are living causes one to feel threatened for oneself and for their loved ones and friends.


Catholics have their own schools and so do jews. So what is the problem if the muslims are having their own school in order to preserve their religion. I know a islamic school which is approved by the board of education and they really teach their children to be best and loyal citizen of US, the country they are in now. Well as long as the question of muslim mingling with muslim pakistani. Do you ever stop to think that it could be more because muslim find more activities to do with muslims than with people of other religions. For example, almost every hindu drinks and it is ok with their religion. But for the muslim this is a big sin. So if the activity of hindu is to get drunk and enjoy, then a muslim will not like to mingle among other hindus. Similar is the case of vegetarian hindu. Now you wouldn't like your child to eat meat, which is allowed according to islam. Now when you are in US and are US citizen, then I don't think you should start thinking in the lines of India and pakistan anymore because all of you are citizen of the same country - US. If you still want to have those Indian-pakistani conflict, then go back to India.

If hindus don't have their own school, then they are to be blamed for not preserving their own culture. No government is here stopping them from opening their own private school. Why should muslims not preserve their own religion? And one more thing, if you have observed that Muslim culture in India differs a lot from hindu culture and it is more similar to pakistani culture. I have also seen that sikh from punjab mixes very well with pakistani punjabi than with any other Indian.Because they have a common language they can communicate with. As long as they don't talk about politics, they are really good friends. Similar is also the case of Indian and Pakistani muslims.

Instead of thinking in the terms of religion, start thinking about in terms of compatibility of one person with another on a personal level. How much they can connect with each other? Also on the same note let me also point this out to you that I have usually seen that Indian-pakistani muslims don't mix with arab muslims at all even though the religion is same.