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Qatar’s curriculum is still far from standards of peace and tolerance, a study says
The Henry Jackson Society and IMPACT-se, and Israeli counter-extremism think tank published a study on Qatar’s school curriculum for grades 1–12. The Qatari curriculum appears to be in a phase of transformation. Qatar’s curriculum
While slightly less radical than previous versions, the process of moderation is in its infancy. Some offensive material has been removed after decades of radical propaganda in Qatari schools. In Islamic religious studies there is very little improvement. Jihad war, martyrdom and violent jihadi movements are praised. The curriculum is still far from meeting international standards of peace and tolerance, says the study.
Pan-Islamic and pan-Arab nationalism dominate the religious tenor of the curriculum, the study mentions in its executive summary.
It also says Qatari education is heavily influenced by Western educators, but serious issues exist regarding peace and tolerance. In Islamic religious studies there is very little improvement. Jihad war, martyrdom and violent jihadi movements are praised.
In Qatari curriculum, Women are encouraged to be brave, serve their homeland and families, and have many children. Despite women's "empowerment," careers are not a priority. Qatar’s curriculum
"In previous curricula, students learned that democracy was incompatible with Islam; that befriending non-Muslims was a sin; that a Jewish world conspiracy aimed at taking over the world; that the Jews were treacherous by nature and were using women to sabotage Islam; and that the Church, Crusades, charities, missionary work, Middle Eastern studies and modern Western and Arab liberal thought had all been part of one grand scheme aimed at destroying Islam."
The curriculum now praises democracy and encourages participation in school elections. There is a slight movement away from radical jihadism but a great
amount remains.
Although Qataris are working on developing school curricula to meet UNESCO standards, but Middle Eastern minorities (such as Amazig, Yazidis, Kurds and Maronites) are largely ignored.
The study shows unfairness of the Palestinian cause, criticizing that Qatari curriculum praises the Palestinian resistance against the Israelis, but forgetting that Palestinians are only resisting because of the Israeli occupation. Qatar’s curriculum
In its conclusion, the study concludes that Qatar's involvement in world affairs is ongoing and includes the global spread of political Islam.
Source: Henry Jackson Society
