Australians All

The Muslim Schools Charter

Silma Ihram

Submitted to Australians All by Silma Ihram, principal of Noor Al Houda Islamic College, NSW

Following the appalling event that occurred on September 11 2001, the members of the Australian Council of Islamic Education In Schools were concerned that Muslim schools may become a target, particularly in relation to their teachings, ethics and loyalties. As a result, a charter was developed which clearly placed the schools who were signatories to it, as Australian institutions who were committed to teaching young people to be active and responsible citizens of Australia.

The Charter was adopted officially by the ACIES in October of the same year, and released publicly to State and Federal politicians as well as the media in November of the same year. The response was extremely positive and allowed an immediate response to any questions that targeted the Muslim school community. All new members of ACIES are required to adopt the Charter as a matter of policy. There are effectively two Muslim school systems in Australia. The ACIES comprises independently founded and run Muslim schools in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia with a total membership of 14 schools. The second system is run under the banner of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils which has founded and continues to supervise schools in NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland (5 schools to date). In a recent publication of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW titled “Islamic Schools in NSW”, all Muslim schools that are registered in New South Wales were listed and the Charter was recognized as applicable to each of them individually.

In 2005 an attempt was made to extend the Muslim Schools charter to a Faith Based Schools Charter incorporating Muslim, Christian and Jewish schools. While support was expressed for such a document, particularly following the Faith Based Schools Symposium of February 2006, it has not yet been approved.

The Faith Based School’s Charter

Based on our Sacred Texts and the teachings of our Prophets and holy people the faith based Schools/ Colleges and their staff members listed at the end of this document declare and affirm the following:

• We promote peace and understanding through interfaith and intercultural interactions
• We teach the children in our schools to be proud Australians, to be model citizens and to participate positively in building a prosperous, harmonious and safe society in Australia.
• We teach the children in our schools to respect the rights of others and to understand the different backgrounds and religions of Australia’s multicultural society.
• We teach our children about the rights of their neighbours and their entitlement to respect, to care and to protection of their property and persons.
• We are committed to follow the example of our Prophets in teaching high standards of responsibility, and integrity
• We are committed to use the teachings of our Sacred Texts in the pursuit of peace.
• We stand against those who preach violence and hatred in the name of any religion.
• We do not condone the taking of innocent life or the threat of such in order to promote a cause.
• We reject and condemn all violent acts that target civilians, children, women and old people in order to promote a cause.
• As Australian citizens or residents of Australia, we stand to defend our country Australia from any form of aggression at all times.
• We are committed to engaging in the democratic system to bring about change in our society, laws and governance.