Islam in Jersey

[Paulus de Boskabouter]

"The head teacher at La Moye School Anne Taylor is keen for members of Jersey's Muslim community to come in and speak to the children who can be as young as five. 

"Mrs Taylor is well aware that the idea may not be popular with everyone but she hopes the move will give a broader outlook about the wider world.

"I think we have to be sensitive to the fact that perhaps for some people this is not an ideal time to be learning about Muslim beliefs, but on the other hand I would say that it's probably the very time when we do need to know just what we're talking about. We do need to understand different cultures. So I think we can't just turn a blind eye to what's going on."

and

"When she [Michele Nicolle] went into a school to speak to young children about Islam some parents chose to keep their children at home."

See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/jersey/content/articles/2005/03/03/islam_in_jersey_4_feature.shtml


This site links to the apparently Wahhabi-inspired Jersey Islamic Trust:
http://www.islaminjersey.com/index.htm
http://www.islaminjersey.com/misconceptions/misconceptions%20about%20islam.htm


Presumably a Jersey mosque is next. Comments?

Paulus

[Overandout]

I'm not quite sure what your point is here. Surely the chance to learn as much as possible about any culture or religion should be grabbed with both hands? In almost any other Western community you would come into contact with people of all different religions on a daily basis, but kids in Jersey don't get that chance.

I remember a friend's parents coming to chat to our school about Judaism when I was little, and we got to taste bits of all the different foods they would eat at different festivals. It was very interesting and a lot of fun, but I have never been tempted to convert on the back of it. To be honest I am disgusted that some parents stopped their children going to school just because they were going to learn about Islam.

And as for a mosque. Well, when there's enough Muslims in the island to warrant one being built, I would say that can only be a good thing for the make-up of the island's society.

[Jason the Maverick]

Some interesting links there Paulus.

I don't see anything wrong in people informing others about Islam, after all it already happens all over the world and if they believe they can show the other side of the religion which is being highlighted by the news brigade all the time then why not?.

I have read the following book:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Politically_Incorrect_Guide_to_Islam_(And_the_Crusades)

And this does paint a picture of why terrorist Islamic extremist movements are erupting all over the World now and I think both Christians and Atheists fear this.

A mosque in Jersey though?  I doubt there would be enough support for that to happen to be frank and I am not sure whether there are actually enough Asians living here to make a mosque possible.  Places of worship are disappearing anyway, look at Wesley Grove, will they replace that with new church?  I doubt it.

[danrok]

Both Christians and Muslims are guilty of filling young children's minds with superstitious nonsense.

[Millennium Man]

"When she [Michele Nicolle] went into a school to speak to young children about Islam some parents chose to keep their children at home."

Maybe they where Jehovah Witnesses?  Not being funny, but they stopped knocking at our door when we jokingly told them we were Buddhists.

[AHITS]

"The head teacher at La Moye School Anne Taylor is keen for members of Jersey's Muslim community to come in and speak to the children who can be as young as five. 

It doesn't bother me...as long as over the following weeks they have Buddhists, Jews, Sikhs, Christians and Wiccans giving similar talks.

[JACKSBACK]

It is no different to Father Xmas coming in to talk about his life in Lap Land.

[Jason the Maverick]

Personally I would have no objections.

[Deputy Dawg]

My personal view is that we should say no until the Islamic countries allow other religions into their country with the full freedom of expression they will expect here. I think hell and snowballs come to mind though.

[ageofaquarius]

Are any children actually interested in religion? its a nonsense subject that will not help you academically in university unless you wish to join the church; but of course if we are talking mythology, then also tell the stories of King Arthur, Lord of the Rings, Gormenghast & not forgetting the all time children's favourite mystical reading, Harry Potter, the latter being banned by many christians.  But nevertheless, knowledge is never wasted and perhaps Islam needs explaining in an honest way to our young instead of the paranoic views we get from the western media, which has them portrayed as blind faith fanatics. 

[Davros Le Sueur]

I am told kids play Christians vs Muslims in the play ground!

[White Knight]

I do not have a problem with that so long as the other religions can come in to. I do believe that 5 years of age is to young.

[Calimachon]

We should allow all faiths to practise and we should also allow Sharia law

[rogueelement]

Really? Where do you think would be a good venue for chopping off hands and stoning? I,ll but two packets of gravel and some pointy ones.

[Calimachon]

   Oh for the life of Brian!!!!