No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Safeguarding children in madrassahs: a way forward
... As we emphasise the role of the individual in bringing about change, can we just close with a note of pride and an acknowledgement of the contribution of one of the founding members of our Editorial Board, Professor Rashid Gatrad OBE. Rashid has been a great friend to the journal, as well as a prolific publisher on the subjects that concern us (see, for example, Gatrad et al, 2005Gatrad et al, , 2006Gatrad et al, , 2011. What is more, he has been an indefatigable advocate and activist in his home community in the West Midlands. ...
Introduction Children often receive religious and other instruction in venues run by religious institutions such us churches, temples and mosques. Madressahs are complementary schools providing basic Islamic education, Quraan memorisation, Islamic languages and development of civic responsibility. They also address social issues.
Safeguarding issue A few children attending some Madressahs in a UK district alleged they were sometimes hit by the teachers, or publicly ridiculed, or make to sit in a ‘chicken position’ or made to stand on one leg by way of disciplining them. Parents were not keen to pursue allegations and faced divided loyalties.
Project A police and social care enquiry took place and 197 children were interviewed.
Significant issues and inconsistencies in practice that came to light were:
Action A steering group was created involving representatives from the community, mosques and statutory agency. They agreed on a joint approach and negotiated consensus on key issues. The group developed clear terms of reference used a Project Management approach to provide appropriate cultural and religious advice and support. They published a report called ‘Safeguarding Children in Madressahs – a good practice guide’.
The guide aimed to provide information and guidance to parents, carers and mosques/Madressahs on how best to ensure safety of their children.
The Local Safeguarding Board is evaluating the success of the Project keeping a record of number of allegations. Early results are promising.
Conclusion This project shows that it is possible for statutory public sector agencies to work in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner with specific minority and special interest groups to ensure the safeguarding of children.
There are plans to introduce a similar project to other religious places of instruction such as Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras.
The Ryan report on the systematic child cruelty visited upon over 30 000 children incarcerated in state institutions in Ireland from 1914 to 2000 vindicated the victims who were raped and sexually abused (www.childabusecommission.ie). But it has not fixed the problem—yet. We all suspected that bad things were going on behind the institutional walls; they filtered out in a miasma of whispered words. But the abuse was barely questioned, as few Irish people would have challenged the church on any issue during that time. A solid, smooth wall of denial and diversion …
A minimum level of cultural awareness is a necessary prerequisite for the delivery of care that is culturally sensitive. In this paper we simplify and highlight certain key teachings in Islamic medical ethics and explore their applications. We hope that the insights gained will aid clinicians to better understand their Muslim patients and deliver care that pays due respect to their beliefs.
Teachers 'beat children' during religious lessons. Rochdale Observer
- F Adams
Adams F (2008) Teachers 'beat children' during religious
lessons. Rochdale Observer, 13 December.
Elders 'beat children at mosques.' The Daily Telegraph
- N Britten
Britten N (2004) Elders 'beat children at mosques.' The Daily
Telegraph, 12 November.
Germany and Ireland call on Catholic Church to hold child sex abuse inquiries. The Guardian, 17 March
- R Butt
- K Connolly
Butt R and Connolly K (2010) Germany and Ireland call on
Catholic Church to hold child sex abuse inquiries. The
Guardian, 17 March.
Church of England (2010) Protecting All God's Children: the
policy for safeguarding children in the Church of England,
4th edn. London: Church Publishing House.
Survey of Mosques in England and Wales
- L Coleman
Coleman L (2009). Survey of Mosques in England and Wales.
www.charity-commission.gov.uk/library/about_us/
fscumosque.pdf (accessed 27 March 2011).
Mosque child assault probe
- A Greaves
Greaves A (2010) Mosque child assault probe. Bolton News,
8 July. www.theboltonnews.co.uk (accessed 4 January
2011).
Children beaten in mosque schools, says Labour MP. The Independent
- I Herbert
Herbert I (2002) Children beaten in mosque schools, says
Labour MP. The Independent, 19 October.
Teachers 'beat and abuse' Muslim children in British Koran classes. The Times
- R Kerbaj
Kerbaj R (2008) Teachers 'beat and abuse' Muslim children
in British Koran classes. The Times, 10 December.
Madressahs and Supplementary Schools Project
- Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council (2007) Madressahs and Supplementary
Schools Project. www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/healthcare/childrenandfamilies/parentsupport/madrassahs.
shtml
Do you pass the radical Imam test? The Independent on Sunday
- G Noon
Noon G (2004) Do you pass the radical Imam test? The
Independent on Sunday, 4 January.
Physical Punishment: improving consistency and protection. London: Department for Education
- R Singleton
Singleton R (2010) Physical Punishment: improving consistency and protection. London: Department for Education.
The Challenge of Training Imams for the West. IslamOnline, 3 April. www.islamonline.org (accessed
- I Tawfik
Tawfik I (2007) The Challenge of Training Imams for the
West. IslamOnline, 3 April. www.islamonline.org (accessed 4 January 2011).