Tuesday 15 February 2011

Channel 4 documentary 'Lessons in Hate and Violence'

Channel 4, Dispatches, Lessons in Hate and Violence "Dispatches goes undercover to investigate allegations that teachers regularly assault young children in some of the 2,000 Muslim schools in Britain run by Islamic organisations.

"The programme also follows up allegations that, behind closed doors, some Muslim secondary schools teach a message of hatred and intolerance.

"The programme is presented by reporter Tazeen Ahmad.

"Dispatches: Lessons in Hate and Violence will not be available on 4oD at this time, due to an ongoing police investigation concerning subjects featured in the programme."

That's unfortunate, for those of us who missed watching it last night (assuming it would be available on-demand via 4oD). There's a brief official clip here, and various parties have put clips onto YouTube as well.

Some reaction can be found here:

Darul Uloom Islamic High School & College, Official Press Release of Darul Uloom Islamic High School regarding the Channel 4 Dispatches Programme, 15 Feb 2011 "No school can claim to be immune from incidents that require remedial action. What we have demonstrated repeatedly, is that our procedures have dealt with contraventions in the past, and will continue to do so. These actions have included expulsions of students, and dismissals of staff, as long as six months ago. Nevertheless, we will be carrying a full and comprehensive investigation into all the matters arising out of this programme, and where necessary we will take proper action."

Muslim Council of Britain, MCB Responds to Channel 4 Dispatches Documentary: One Incident of Child-Abuse is One Incident Too Many, 14 Feb 2011 "The Muslim Council of Britain does not believe that the abuse of children in madrasah and mosque-based education is a widespread phenomenon in Britain and we believe that the vast majority of British mosques hold the health and safety of children to be of utmost importance, following true Islamic teaching and British law."

"However, as far as we are concerned, one incident of child-abuse is one incident too many. Our community must work together to root out any such behaviour in our precious institutions."

Daily Mail, 'Muslim preacher', 59, arrested over alleged assault on children at mosque featured in Channel 4 documentary, 15 Feb 2011 "Head teacher Mujahid Aziz said the school had been misrepresented."

Josh Halliday, Guardian, Channel 4 denies it 'unfairly targeted' Islamic school | Media | 14 Feb 2011 "Lessons in Hate and Violence, made by independent producer Hardcash, investigates allegations that some teachers in Islamic schools regularly assault young children and teach a message of hatred and intolerance. West Yorkshire police earlier on Monday arrested one man in Keighley in connection with footage due to be aired tonight."

BBC News Birmingham, Dispatches Islamic school to complain to Ofcom, 15 Feb 2011