Report Finds Hatred of West, Non-Muslims Pervasive in Official Saudi School Books; Conference Call Set for Feb. 4 2/4/2003
From: Jamie Moore, 703-739-2424, ext 206 Rabab Pettitt, 703-739-2424, ext 208 NEW YORK, Feb. 4 -- A new report released by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace (CMIP) shows that official Saudi school books indoctrinate children in hatred of the West, Christians and Jews. The study offers the most comprehensive survey ever prepared of the official Saudi worldview to which students between the ages of six and 16 are exposed through the medium of subject textbooks. In analyzing the 93 school textbooks published by the Saudi Ministry of Education and in circulation between 1999 and 2002, the report reveals the presence of hatred towards Western civilization and followers of other religions. "Despite Saudi government statements to the West promoting unity, friendship and tolerance, the report clearly demonstrates a disturbing pattern of hateful language that is pervasive in official textbooks published by the Saudi Ministry of Education," says David A. Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee. "Given that these books are being used in government schools, the inescapable conclusion is that this represents the position of the Saudi Arabian government." CMIP's Chairman, Andre Marcus, points out the cardinal importance of this research on Saudi school textbooks, in view of Saudi Arabia's leading role in the Muslim world and in view of the fact that many education systems in Arab countries as well as among Muslim communities all over the world are directly inspired and influenced by the Saudi education curricula and schools textbooks. Following are the main findings from an analysis of 93 books taught in grades 1-10, mostly from the years 1999-2002: -- Islam is the only true religion and Saudi Arabia is the leader of the Muslim world. Islam is presented as the only true religion, while all other religions are presented as false. Consequently, Muslims are portrayed as superior to followers of all other religions, in both this world and the next. Islam plays the dominant role in state and society, in the judicial and educational systems, and in everyday life. Saudi Arabia assumes, in turn, a leading role in the Muslim world and sees itself as the champion of Islam. -- Christians and Jews are denounced as infidels. Christians and Jews are presented as enemies of Islam and of Muslims. Therefore, Muslims may not befriend them nor emulate them in any way, lest that lead to love and friendship, which is forbidden. -- The West is a decaying society on its way to extinction, and is the source of past and present misfortunes of the Muslim world. Western civilization is presented in a state of cultural and religious decline, the symptoms of which are the absence of spirituality, the practice of adultery and the large number of suicides in Western society. The West is also blamed for desiring world domination and targeting the Muslim world by aggressively promoting Western practices, ideologies, and lifestyle habits among Muslim society. In addition, Saudi school children are taught to reject all notions of Western democracy. -- Peace between Muslims and non-Muslims is not advocated. Saudi Arabian school books, even grammar books, are full of phrases exalting war, jihad, and martyrdom. And though all forms of terror are rejected by the Saudi Arabian school books, it appears that such prohibitions do not apply to cases that fall in the categories of jihad and martyrdom. -- The Jews are a wicked nation, characterized by bribery, slyness, deception, and aggressiveness. According to the Saudi school books, the present Jewish occupation of Palestine constitutes a danger to the neighboring Muslim countries. Zionism is presented as an evil movement, based on ancient Jewish notions. -- Israel is not recognized as a sovereign state in Saudi Arabian school books, and its name does not appear on any map. All maps in Saudi school books bear the name Palestine. Palestine is presented as a Muslim country occupied by foreigners who defile its Muslim holy places, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The occupation of Palestine is portrayed as the most crucial problem of the Arabs and the Muslims, who should all join forces for the total liberation of Palestine. According to AJC's David Harris, the Saudi Government has responded to criticism of its radical education policies by asserting that it is working to bring about constructive reform in its curriculum and education system. "It is now up to the Saudis to match deeds with words. As one of the strongest allies of the United States, the Saudi government needs to take a hard look at its educational system and introduce reforms that remove hate and promote tolerance and acceptance of other faiths," said Harris. About This Report: This is the most comprehensive study of the state-mandated Saudi educational system and the books it administers in schools across the country. In addition to a special emphasis on the Saudi Arabian attitude to the "other," namely, Christians, Jews, and the West, as well as on the Middle East conflict, the report also illustrates the Saudi position on women's legal standing and their status vis-a-vis men -- including their own husbands, the child's duties toward his parents, as well as notions about government and society. About The American Jewish Committee: AJC is one of the oldest and most influential American Jewish organizations. Its mission is to strengthen the basic principles of pluralism around the world, as the best defense against anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry, and to safeguard the welfare and security of Jews in the United States, in Israel, and throughout the world. About The Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace: (CMIP) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established in 1998. Its purpose is to encourage the development and fostering of peaceful relations between peoples and nations, by establishing a climate of tolerance and mutual respect founded on the rejection of violence as a means to resolving conflicts. The study of Saudi school books is the fourth in the series of reports on books used in Arab countries and in Israel. ------ Editors Note: Findings of the new report will be released at an 11 a.m. EST conference call on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Dial in No.: US: 888-769-8796; International: 630-395-0276 Passcode: textbook Call leader: David Harris |