Saudi School in Virginia Criticized for Teaching Islam is Only Correct Religion

August 5, 2004

Source: AP

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=62&u=/ap/20040803/ap_on_re_us/saudi_academy_1

On August 5, 2004 AP reported, "A Virginia school that caters to children of Saudi diplomats is teaching first-graders that Judaism and Christianity are false religions, according to a Muslim group concerned that such teachings breed hatred. The Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism is calling on the Islamic Saudi Academy to remove the textbook used to teach first-graders. The teachers' edition of the textbook outlines several points of emphasis, including the statement, 'All religions other than Islam are false religions.' The coalition's director, Kamal Nawash, a Muslim, said it would be acceptable to teach that Islam is the only correct religion. But to explicitly tell first-graders that Jews and Christians practice a false religion could breed extremism, he said... Nawash's criticism follows a report last month by a nonprofit group called the Saudi Institute, also denouncing the school's curriculum. The institute advocates extensive reforms in Saudi Arabia."