Muslim leaders in UK cite child abuse in madrassas

From BBC News - "A group of Muslim leaders says the community is in denial about child abuse in religious schools, known as madrasas. "

[...]

The schools play a central role in many Muslim communities - but Dr Siddiqui said very few had policies in place that meet the requirements of the Children Act 1989, a key law.

The report praised two councils which had taken steps on child protection in madrasas - Kirklees and Blackburn - but accused most of being reluctant to engage with the Muslim community.

Ann Cryer, MP for Keighley, said she commended the authors for speaking out and attacked local authorities for not acting.

"I have had reports of physical abuse in madrasas in my own constituency," said Mrs Cryer.

"Failing to protect the children in madrasas because of 'cultural sensitivities' is nonsense.

"Are we saying that British Asian children are not entitled to the protection of the law? It is racist to differentiate between children and to fail to offer that protection."


I haven't witnessed child abuse in madrassas in Ontario but the attitude toward child punishment within the Islamic community that I was a part in wasn't exactly friendly to what we consider abuse here in Canada.

I have listened to stories of attempted murder for honour attacks against young women and have been told that some teachers at madrassa's tell their very young students that "it's ok to kill your enemies" - which usually means those of the Jewish faith or Israeli's - as is commonly discussed in the community.

Attempting to address these concerns on an electronic message group was too much "fitnah" (trouble-making) that those involved in the discussion as an act of democratic debate just shut it down.

What was noticeable was the level of repression against bringing to the fore sexual harassment and women abuse into the community to discuss openly. And it wasn't necessarily Arab Muslim men that frustrated the discussion, in one case a Canadian man converted to Islam diliberately withdrew and influenced the male support in the community who has used the religion to cover up his own violent actions.