Darul Uloom, Birmingham: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added
Tags: Reverted references removed
m Reverted unexplained removal of content.
Line 22:
 
==Controversies==
===2011===
The school was inspected in May 2011, following a [[Channel 4]] documentary ''[[Dispatches (TV series)|Dispatches]]'' illegally filming teaching sessions within the school. [[Ofsted]] found that it was "good" with regards to the behaviour of pupils, "satisfactory" with regards to how well the curriculum and other activities met the range of needs and interests of pupils and quality of provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, but "inadequate" in overall quality of education, how effective teaching and assessment were in meeting of pupils’ needs, how well pupils made progress in their learning, and the overall welfare, health and safety of pupils.<ref name="4-press-20111123">{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/dispatches-mosque-teacher-jailed |title=Dispatches Mosque teacher jailed - Channel 4 - Info - Press |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=2012-09-29 |archive-date=24 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124193603/http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/dispatches-mosque-teacher-jailed |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
The report followed the ''Dispatches'' documentary, entitled Lessons in Hate and Violence, on 14 February 2011, which filmed undercover inside the school, documenting that many students and teachers were preaching intolerance to other students.<ref name="4-press-20111123" /> Some of the footage showed a preacher making extremely offensive remarks about Hindus and ranting: "Disbelievers are the worst creatures".<ref name="cartledge-20151124">{{cite news |last=Cartledge |first=James |date=24 Nov 2015 |title=Small Heath: Darul Uloom School governor 'forced to sit out of sight' of men during meetings. |work=Birmingham Mail |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/small-heath-darul-uloom-school-10494822 |access-date=17 June 2016 |archive-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227000759/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/small-heath-darul-uloom-school-10494822 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Darul Uloom Islamic High School (DUIHS) is a small independent high school in Birmingham with a capacity of 150 students that incorporates traditional Islamic teaching with structured National Curriculum courses. It is funded by a charitable organisation and tuition fees paid by parents. The school was founded in 1985 with the predominant goal of educating and developing future generations of the community in Britain; ones who are well-versed in Islamic knowledge while also being fully capable of pursuing other professional careers if they so desire; ones who are aware of the complexities of living as a Muslim while also being knowledgeable of and respecting other cultures and beliefs.
DUIHS goal is to provide a comprehensive education and tarbiyyah that nurtures and develops every element of a student's heart, mind, and body so that they are not only excellent students and devout Muslims, but also creative thinkers, ethical leaders, and role models for society.
 
The school released an official statement about the programme on its website, sharing their understandable frustration stating that it had been grossly misrepresented and that comments had been taken out of context.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darululoom.org.uk/ |title=Islamic High School & College |publisher=Darul Uloom |access-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824071315/http://www.darululoom.org.uk/ |archive-date=2011-08-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.darululoom.org.uk/ |title=Darul Uloom &#124; Islamic High School & College &#124; Darul Uloom |website=www.darululoom.org.uk |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824071315/http://www.darululoom.org.uk/ |archive-date=24 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Local MP [[John Hemming (politician)|John Hemming]] made comments supporting the school.<ref name="blogspot1">{{cite web |url=http://johnhemming.blogspot.com/2011/02/further-comments-on-darul-uloom-and.html |title=John Hemming's Web Log: Further Comments on Darul Uloom and Channel 4 |publisher=Johnhemming.blogspot.com |date=2011-02-15 |access-date=2012-09-29 |archive-date=3 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103123114/http://johnhemming.blogspot.com/2011/02/further-comments-on-darul-uloom-and.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The school said it was targeted by hate calls following the broadcast.<ref name="cartledge-20151124" />
'''Welcome Message from the Headteacher'''
 
The [[Department for Education|DfE]] ruled that the ''Dispatches'' programme found a "minimal amount of evidence" of intolerance and contempt for other cultures, religions and mainstream society and "a culture of intolerance where adherents to other faiths are despised and considered inferior" despite Muslims respecting all faiths.<ref name="4-press-20111123" /> It said that the school promoted a "wholesale repudiation of mainstream society"; and that the headmaster, deputy headmaster, and religious studies teacher were among the speakers secretly recorded "denigrating or belittling members of other religions" and promoting the view that Muslims must remain separate from mainstream society.<ref name="4-press-20111123" />
I warmly welcome all of you with the Islamic greeting of Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakatu.
 
In one lesson, a teacher "appears to be advocating war against America and/or Jews, and to be repudiating democracy";. The headmaster had given lessons "condemning all non-Muslims and all aspects of their behaviour", as well as promoting Islamic punishments, including the chopping of hands for stealing and stoning for adultery, with no reference to a British context, which "may not be enabling pupils to distinguish right from wrong ... and to respect British law.<ref name="4-press-20111123" /> The DfE said the "combined effect of these speeches is to emphasise to the pupils that they should not have any contact with people who belong to other religious groups; indeed contact should be hateful... and to discourage them from living in harmony with members of British society". It also said that a separate Ofsted inspection in the wake of the programme had found "serious regulatory failings".<ref name="4-press-20111123" />
Darul Uloom Islamic High School combines 1443 years of Islamic history and tradition with the 21st century needs of students in modern day Britain for boys between 11 and 16. Since 1985, Darul Uloom has served the community by providing, well-nurtured Ulema and Huffadh, representatives of Islam to serve both non-Muslim and Muslim communities. It is a madrasah dedicated to imparting Islamic knowledge and its value, supplemented with a strong course in the national curriculum.
 
The DfE strongly backed the editing of the ''Dispatches'' programme. It said: "There was no other teaching that DfE saw that presented other religions, cultures or cultural traditions in a positive light. There was no evidence in the footage that was viewed to support the school's contention that its teachings were likely to prepare students to integrate, interact with and contribute beneficially to wider society.<ref name="4-press-20111123" />
Our education is designed to nurture and develop our students, and help them to become creative thinkers, conscientious leaders, and sincere believers. We encourage initiative, individuality and creativity whist reinforcing the importance of hosting Islamic values.
 
The school has written back to the DfE with an action plan, promising "a significant transformation of the school structure". The school said the headmaster had been replaced by an acting head, and all teachers identified in the film as making "inappropriate comments" had been dismissed. One was imprisoned.<ref name="4-press-20111123" /> The governing body had also been disbanded and all members of its Senior Management Team had been dismissed. It said it was taking a number of other steps to combat extremism and improve community cohesion. The DfE has accepted the action plan, but warned that the school may still be struck off the register for independent schools if it did not adhere to regulatory standards.<ref name="4-press-20111123"/>
In addition to academic excellence, including superb GCSE results, Darul Uloom provides a great emphasis on Tarbiyyah (moral and spiritual training) of students, instilling in them excellent adab and akhlaaq (manners and good character), and a strong attachment to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
 
===2015===
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, said, “Verily, I have only been sent to perfect righteous character.”
In 2015 the school was subject to another critical Ofsted report, this time after further expressions of concern which led to an unannounced inspection. It was found that a female governor sat in a different room to male governors when conducting a governance meeting. The school responded saying it was the stubborn female governor's choice to sit apart, and that segregation was not routinely practiced at the school.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34921582 |title=Muslim female governor 'chose to sit apart from men' - BBC News |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004160603/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34921582 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
We strive to ensure that our graduates are knowledgeable and people of wisdom whose behaviour will inspire those around them, In-sha’Allāh.
 
Our goal is to inspire respectful, law-abiding, tolerant British Muslims versed in Islamic knowledge, to be models for their respective communities, as Alims, scholars and leaders.
 
I am tremendously proud of our school and recommend it to you as the best opportunity for your sons to strive academically and Islamically, with integrity and human dignity. We look after all our children, guiding them to become inspiring young men who will bring honour and respect to your families, In-sha’Allāh ﷻ.
 
May Allāh ﷻ give us all the tawfiq to continuously strive for excellence and make the Darul Uloom a trusted source of guidance and a centre of educational excellence, Ameen.
 
''Ustaadh Azharul Islam''
 
 
'''INSPECTION REPORTS'''
 
Inspection reports can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.
 
Darul Uloom Islamic High School ISI Report Dec 2022
http://www.darululoom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Darul-Uloom-ISI-Report-2023.pdf
 
 
Darul Uloom Islamic High School Ofsted Report 1st Nov 2017
http://www.darululoom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/103586__8.pdf
 
==References==