by Fred Mednick, Teachers Without Borders
Although coverage of atrocities committed by "radical Islamists" dominates the front pages of our newspapers, very few people know about Islam's core values and beliefs. Some accuse Islam of being an obstacle to development. Others have hijacked Islam by distorting the religion's holy book, the Qu'ran, to justify hatred and war. Neither view reflects Islam's true essence.
The core values of Islam are consistent with the values that many hold dear: the dignity of human beings, social welfare, and education. Islam's emphasis on education is particularly inspiring. The foundation of both the structural and curricular approaches we take for granted in academia is due, in large part, to Islamic institutions, which fostered curiosity and scientific inquiry; open and voluntary learning circles; the use of community resources in learning; peer review; problem solving approaches; story telling as illustration; and subsidies for those who were unable to attend school.
Teachers Without Borders (TWB) discovered such a wealth of material in Islamic sacred texts that outline "best practices" in teaching. With the support of the government of Pakistan, TWB has produced an online book: Modern Teaching AS Islamic Tradition, which integrates such concepts—in practical terms—into a professional development program for teachers. The online version is also used as source material for local workshops. The program provides incentives for teachers and community leaders to embrace education and social development while allowing them to remain true to their faith.
In Pakistan, where only about 3 percent of 18- to 24-year olds have access to higher education, online learning is important to ensure broader access to education. Hence, Modern Teaching AS Islamic Tradition will be disseminated online through Teachers Without Borders' new e-learning platform, which has been designed around the need for culturally sensitive, easily accessible, locally adaptable content. As a result, such a sensitive initiative can allow for creative uses of the material, such as radio programs, village puppet shows, and street theatre.
While developing this program, Teachers Without Borders has faced challenging questions: How can information and communications technology avoid a one-size-fits-all approach? How can Modern Teaching AS Islamic Tradition reflect the diversity of Islam without treating it in a superficial or overly generalized way? Ultimately, communities of professionals will need to interact with the content itself—adding to it, amending it, and localizing it to meet current needs.
Teachers Without Borders welcomes partners throughout the world who would be willing to critique the manual, to develop the curriculum, and to conduct customized teacher training programs. In addition, we are offering an online platform to selected non-profits who can help develop similar programs in other parts of the world.
Fred Mednick
Founder and President 
Perspectives Magazine: Learning the Future
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Comments: 22
It sounds like TWB is doing some very important work. I would love to hear more about the content from Modern Teaching AS Islamic Tradition. What are some of the teachings from the material that you feel even non-teachers might benefit from hearing?
I am not sure who you are citing when you say the "followers of of the great religion that stresses the importance of mass education are trailing behind in this very field", but I don't think there are many nations of Islamic Influence that are high on the Totum pole for educational prowess?
I am grateful for Fred's article and work, but I am not so certain that we should jump on the bandwagon of the Islamic Teaching Tradition? As it doesn't stand out to me to be an overly successful mechanism for mass education.
Just a thought.....
If I come across as a sinic, oh well, it's just the fact as I know them. Anyone who follows Islam, whether they live in the states or abroad are all sympathetic to the terrorist cause and 99.9% are for the destruction of Israel and the anhilation of the Jews.
FYI. I don't support Israel, and I don't support Christanity. What I do support is the right of every human being on the planet to live, travel and practice whatever belief without mortal fear of Islam intent on executing "infedels", that don't conform to their faith.
Islam is way to sensative to any remarks about their faith and they will kick and scream and the world will be afraid.
I wonder how many of those who would cast all Muslims into the fiery pit could answer this historical multiple choice question correctly ?
The characters Moses and Noah appear in:
A. The Bible
B. The Koran
C. Both of the above
In a course I took a while back, they showed a documentary about young people in Beruit. And they spoke at length about how they felt Americans and the West thought that all Lebanese and Muslims carried AK-47s and were terrorists. And they went on to speak about how they want and do many of the same things we do as Americans. What was very interesting though was when they were then asked to describe Americans. Basically it was a combination of Rambo and a pornstar is what they came up with. Really showed just how much misunderstanding there really is.
If this program can at least teach people to try and learn about each other a bit more, even if it's within the frame work of their religous belief system, well at the very least it's a start. A good start as well.
I think anyone who has half a brain knows that the origins for the three major religions are the same......Abraham......I am not quite sure what your point is though?
The sad fact is that many people do not know they are the same. My point is, how amazingly far down the road of disapproval many people go without full knowledge of what it is they are disapproving of.
I applaud your idealism and at the same time smile.(laugh at your naiveness) Just as the Muslims don't want democracy, neither do they want you (an Infidel) to teach them about Islam. They are very happy knowing that they can lop your head off just for disagreeing with Islamic teachings. Remember Fred, if you don't convert you will pay a HEAD TAX. I'm just paraphrasing a few of the articles I read yesterday concering the Popes remarks on Islam. (CNN) Anyway peace be with you Fred, and I will pray for you.
Put your money where your mouth is. Go to Gaza, or any Islamic 'republic' and practice free speech. You will be headless within no time.
Stop gushing over Islam. You sound silly.
In the name of the religion of "peace and tolerance" a British schoolteacher in Arabia was arrested and imprisoned because schoolchildren named a teddybear "Muhamed".
What are you guys doing about that ? Or, do you agree that such an act was sooo offensive to the delicate Islamic sensibilities: ya know the same sensitivities that allow Islamists to worship a prophet, Muhamed, that raped his four year old wife.
www.littlegreenfootballs.com
I am sure you are a good man...
Don't let your daughters have any dreams and desires beyond that of their 'man'.
Don't lose your head with your free speech.
Stay well. Be careful, these are medieval animals.
Reading the Qur'an makes it pretty clear that violence is a means to an end and as such, it is appropriate. Not only is it appropriate, it is a holy act - to kill your enemy is a holy act. The Qur'an provides examples, situations you may find yourself in where the answer is violence. To miss this is to ignore the meaning of the Qur'an.
Many of the above comments make it pretty clear as well.
Muslims are people, just like everyone else on the planet - everyone struggles with control and power. Muslims are taught that no one, who is not a Muslim, should have power over a Muslim. One of the main goals of Islam is to promote Islam as the organization in power over others. This is accurate to the Qur'an and history. One of the first things Mohammed did as he became a leader was to exterminate thousands of Jews. The Jews invited Mohammed into their cities, they protected him from people who were trying to kill him and soon after He made converts and wiped the rest out (maybe 7 years - exact number not here in front of me).
Because of the Qur'an and because of what it led Mohammed to do and what it continues to inspire in the world - a mindset of fear and retaliation/violence/hatred its easy to see how people become Muslims and stay Muslims. One practice that is written in the Qur'an and is still practiced today is for Muslims to inspire the fear of death as a consequence if a person either isn't a Muslim, or turns away from Islam. If a Muslim converts to another religion they can be killed and this killing might be done by or ordered by family members. If a Muslim gets into a disagreement, or if a deal goes sour between them and a nonMuslim the nonMuslim is supposed to be able to save themselves by converting to Islam.
The Qur'an puts leads people to be power hungry.
Deception is another principle of Islam connected with the desire for power. Mohammed told people that its ok to lie if the lie promotes Islam and accomplishes the will of Allah.
I'm not a Muslim (clearly). I imagine that many Muslims who would read this post would at this point be filled with rage, wishing that they could find me and either yell at me, shut me up, hurt me, or if they are going to be true to the Qur'an, kill me.
I'm not saying these things so to offend anyone. I'm just trying to be honest and real with what I understand about Islam. Please understand that. I realize that these ideas are inflamatory because they challenge Islam and make Islam look like a pretty negative thing...
Muslims, and anyone else who might be reading this, we have to ask ourselves and wonder: Maybe Islam is evil.
I want to emphasize - I do not believe that Muslims are evil. Many Muslims are great people. Many Muslims are beautiful people. This is not about you. Specifically, I'm talking about The religion of Islam and those muslims who have allowed the religion to corrupt them.
I wish we could all have peace - Islam doesn't lead there. I'm saying these words out of sincere concern for us all, not hatred.