Syrian students ask for values, not religion

SMN No. 3, June 12, 2010

A new group on Facebook is advocating the replacement of religion classes at Syrian schools with courses teaching “universal moral values”. The administrators of the group, which attracted more than 1600 members a few days after its recent launch, called for schools to remain secular institutions, arguing that religious education should only be provided by mosques and churches. In Syria, Muslim and Christian schoolchildren of all ages are taught their respective faiths. Syria is officially a secular country with a majority of Sunni Muslims and a minority of Christians, Alawites and other sects.

One member of Facebook group said that  religious instructors inculcate pupils with intolerance towards other people’s faiths even if this is not necessarily done consciously on their part. Another member said that it was important to strengthen “human values and national belonging” instead of fostering sectarian feelings, while ensuring that freedom of belief is guaranteed for all. One member described the experience of his child at school. He said that his son asks him incessantly why his Christian classmates who play with him in the school’s courtyard have to leave during classes on religion. Other members said that the issue of religious education was only a small aspect of the broader topic of secularism, which needs to be addressed more seriously in Middle Eastern societies through “awareness raising and social assistance”.

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As for alternatives to faith classes, some members suggested courses that provide instruction on all religions and teach common moral values. Others said that instead of studying religion, children should be taught the basic laws of the country to be able understand their rights and duties towards society.

Only a few members opposed the ending of religious tuition,  arguing that Islam is important for inculcating “good morals”.