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The Image of Arab Muslim's culture in school textbooks in USA
In Richmond, Columbia,. Washington, DC and New York .
Meeting's report Prepared by prof. Mustafa Elhalougi
May 2008
These meetings were organized by the Egyptian Culture and Education
bureau, Washington DC in collaboration with the commission of study of
the image of Arabic Islamic culture in school textbooks all over the world,
some educational departments, schools and organizations in USA. The
meeting of New York was organized by the Islamic mosque in central
New York.
Thanks to Egyptian Culture and Education bureau , The Egyptian
Ambassador H.E. Mr. Nabil Fahmy in USA has received, in the Egyptian
Embassy, the Egyptians researchers :
Prof. Mohamed Abu Laylah, Faculty of language and translation, Al Azhar
University and member of the commission ...
Prof. Mostafa Elhalougi, Faculty of language and translation, Al Azhar
University and assistant secretary of the commission of study of the
image… accompanied by :
H.E. Mr. Amr Ramadan Minister Plenipotentiary. Embassy of Egypt.
Washington DC -H.E. Mr. Ashraf Salama Consul. Embassy of Egypt. Washington DC
Prof. Maha M. Kamel Mahmoud. Deputy Director Egyptian Culture and
Education bureau. Washington DC
Prof. Mohamed Hamza, attaché Egyptian Culture and Education bureau.
Washington DC. This meeting was attended also by :
H.E. The Egyptian Ambassador offered his full ready to assist the
Commission of study to introduce the study and send it to education officials
in all States of America, in addition to thinking of holding a conference for
this important national project in collaboration with George Washington
university.
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The first meeting: at the School of Maggie L. Walker Governor's
School in Richmond, Virginia , 13/5/2008.
It was organized by:
- Egyptian Culture and Education bureau. Washington DC
- the commission of study of the image of Arabic Islamic culture in school
textbooks all over the world
- Prof. Beverly Thurston ,the main responsible for teaching history and
social sciences, Virginia .
- Ms. Patricia Taylor ,the main responsible for the international school
curricula Maggie L. Walker Governor's School .
The meeting was attended by:
- Prof. Beverly Thurston , responsible for teaching the subjects of history
and social sciences, Virginia
- Prof. Mohamed Hamza, attaché Egyptian Culture and Education bureau.
Washington DC
- Prof. Mohamed Abu Laylah, Professor Faculty of language and translation,
Al Azhar University.
- Prof. Mostafa Elhalougi, Faculty of language and translation, Al Azhar
University.
- prof. Zeigler , University in Virginia
- prof. Martin Sulzerreickel , University of Richmond.
- Mrs. / Patricia Taylor responsible for the international school curricula
Maggie L. governor's school
- Mr. Gul , Virginia Department of Education
- Mrs. Ruth Grillo, Virginia Department of Education.
- Ms. Claire , Heinrko Department of Education
Mr. Douglas Hunt, director of School Maggie L. Walker Governor's
- Mr. Phil Hester, District manager, Curriculum K-12, Person Publisher
-Ms. Nancy Gilbert, Person Publisher
- Mr. Clint Hubbard, Holt, Rinehart and Winston Publisher
- Ms. Debbie Denson, Houhton Mifflin, Haarcour Publisher
-Ms. Chie Marston, Person Publisher
- A group of teachers, including Ms. Samar Abochkedm school Arabic
language school, is a Jordanian origin.
- A group of outstanding students.
The number of attendees of this meeting was about eighty members.
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Prof. Dr. Don Zeigler welcomed Dr. Hamza and the attendees then he
introduced the researchers.
Prof. Mohammed Abu-Leila thanked the organizers and attendees and
demanded to rectify the image of Islam in textbooks in the framework of
dialogue and understanding between civilizations.
As he warned of the
dangerous of ignoring the other. He said that this study will help us in
providing the right image for our culture. And he focused on the miss
introducing of the Muslim women in textbooks using citations to some of
these books.
The Muslim women is respected in the Quran which address
the men and women without discrimination and used some of the Quranic
verses that mention the both with the word human . And added that the
Koran is equal between men and women in the responsibility, rights and
duties. In the same time Islam is interested in family when considered the
man as father, a husband and a brother. As considered at the same time
women as a wife a mother and a sister. Without any preference for men on
women.
He said that Islam holds man responsibility for spending on his
wife and to his family and so-called custodianship which the Koran does not
consider this responsibility as preference. And when the Quran gave women
inherit half the share of men share, this does not mean they are less than
men, but that was compared to shoulder the responsibility of the husband or
brother spending on his sister or on his wife. Muslim women has a full right
to retain her funds and control it. He draw the attendees attention that
Islam gave special attention to one's inheritance and his/her right to control
it and not allowed to any Muslim to recommend all his fund-hand in order
not to deprive relatives of this compassion and that unlike some Western
laws that allow a person to recommend his funds for a project.
He added saying that polygamy is allowed under some conditions and
the only Quranic verse on the subject says, "But if you fear that you will not
be Just, marry only one." And pointed out that many Muslim women were
scientists and educated, and his called to compare the status of women
before Islam- were considered as chattel- , and after Islam she became
equal to men in rights and duties, as referred to the suffering of women in
the world. Then he concluded by saying that he as a Muslim respects his
mother who took care about him, and discusses with his wife in home issues
and life.
Prof. Mustafa Elhalougi thanked the organizers of the meeting as thanked
attendees for their good cooperation, then he presented the objectives of the
study which meant by correcting the image of the other's religion and
culture, through studies and dialogue and delivery of studies to education
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officials and school publishing houses. As he emphasized the importance
of teaching peace in schools to prepare students to be open to others in
accordance with the principle of tolerance here, which means knowledge and
mutual respect for the cultures to coexist in peace.
He said students must learn in textbooks distinction between knowledge
and belief. Such he addressed the objectives of the study on the image of
Arab and Islamic culture in the USA textbooks to correct the errors that
distort the image of Arab- Islamic culture. And he pointed out that the
textbooks provide bright image of Islamic civilization. He said that the
reasons for this progress is due to the principles of civilization, which is the
freedom, brotherhood, equality and cooperation, tolerance and peace and
reliance on reason , science and work. All these principles are mentioned in
the
Koran.
He presented also the negative image of Islam which existed in the USA
textbooks through out
some of the conceptions
such like :
- Jihad, which provides in most of the books as a holy war to spread or to
defend Islam.
- Islam was effected by Christianity and Judaism.
- Prophet Mohammed as a founder of Islam .
-Quran as Mohammed's word
- Islam is a religion of the Arabs
- Status of Women in Islam
The researcher , here wondered , saying: Is it conceivable that a civilization
flourished based on the principles of religion and it’s
principles
incompatible with the principles of civilization? And demanded the authors
of textbooks to distinguish between the principles of religion and the
behavior of extremists belonging to this religion or use religion for personal
or political aims . The researcher attributed the errors to prejudiced
misconceptions about Islam or not to rely on trusted sources, or jihad from
the perspective of military or neglect textual contexts or historical, or
geographical or social or political of any historical text or Quranic verse.
the researcher dealt with one of the ex. Common mistakes and introduced
the definition of jihad in Arabic and in the Quran and then the wrong
definition in some textbooks that link jihad in Islam to terrorism.
The greatest Jihad in Islam is self-defense to be a useful citizen to your
society and your community, whether this community Muslim or non.
Quranic verses states that the fighting to defend and not to attack "and
fought in the name of God those who fight against you and do not transgress
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God loves not aggressors" No. 2 verse 190. And stated verse No. 256 in the
same Sura, which prevents Muslims from forcing others to convert to Islam
"no compulsion in religion." He said that the verses which ordered Muslims
to fight on cases regarding defense or protection of waiting for an attack
from the enemy or betray the peace agreement signed with Muslims, just as
happened with the polytheists of Mecca. He said that this kind of jihad in
Islam, known as the smaller jihad. And he provided some quotations from
the textbooks that claim that jihad as holy war to spread Islam and linking
Islam to terrorism and talked about the close relationship between Islam and
peace and that peace is one of the names of God in Islam, which is - like
Christianity and Judaism - innocent of the violence. And pointed out that
some school publishers in France and Greece corrected the erroneous
definition of jihad in textbooks in recent editions following the completion
of studies and discussions with education officials in those states. And asked
attendees to ask the education officials to correct errors. As called attendees
that the study does not diminish the efficiency and integrity of the authors of
textbooks but this dialogue enriches our cultures. And exposure to the
causes of errors due to understanding the Quranic verses out of context or
rely on the wrong translation of the text or prejudgment or because of
incorrect or incomplete and away from historical context , or because of the
media campaign against Muslim extremists and confusion between Islam
and extremism.
As he pointed out that UNESCO , the European Council , the Arab
League , ISESCO and the Swedish Institute in Alexandria, are now
preparing a guide for correcting errors in European and Arabic textbooks.
And warned attendees of the consequences of mistakes. He added that some
Muslim students, especially those who leave school before the termination
of the study and live on the margins of society may be exposed to fall easily
into the hands of extremists and when they learn in school erroneous concept
of jihad: holy war to spread or to defend Islam . He said that the world is
waging a war against terrorism that kills thousands of innocent people, for
that the school must teach the culture of peace and provide the right image to
the
other
and
to
the
other's
culture
and
religion.
The discussion that followed the study displayed the interest of American
side in cooperation, and agreement of participants in the meeting with
researchers on the need to correct misconceptions and provide the Quranic
verses
or
the
texts
in
their
contexts.
One female teacher said that Islam permits polygamy which contradicts
the American culture, and wondered that in some Islamic countries woman
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is not allowed to drive. Both researchers answered that polygamy in Islam
allowed under some conditions that only Quranic verse on the subject says "
But if you fear that you will not be Just, marry only one " and that the
Quran commands justice in other verses. The verse of polygamy shows that
the Koran does not recommend the polygamy . Islam gave women the right
to request a divorce or stay as a wife in the case of polygamy which is the
only case among the several thousand on the ground. In some cases The
husband may need to polygamy because of illness or inability of his first
wife to get child.
And the Muslim who lives in a non-Islamic country must respects the
laws of this State. Attendees laughed when one researcher said he did not
know in Egypt currently only two men, both married two women, said as a
matter of kidding for one that he will hell for his inability to justice between
them According to the Koran. The man said that he will enter paradise
because he has two wives who transformed his life into hell.
For the role of women in Islamic society, women in Islam is responsible
as men and have the right to own and operate and to learn. they were
scientists in the history of Islam. Concerning car drive , every country has its
own regulations and we can find women who drive cars in Egypt and most
of
the
Islamic
countries.
One of the students raised the topic of freedom of opinion in the Western
society and that it was the right of person to criticize Christ, which is not
allowed in Islam. when the one draws the Prophet Muhammad, such as the
Danish cartoons revolt Muslims and not accepted but used the violence.
The Researchers have explained that the Koran orders Muslim to use
language of the dialogue with others and to be wise and patient in his speech
and he must respect the other's religion and culture, and his opinion, for that
we saw Muslims responded to the criticism with an open mind. Some
Muslims who do not know the teachings of Islam resorted to the use of
violence.
Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is free from violence and when a
Muslim finds someone insults Islam he/she should convince him,
by following the way of persuading the other or resort to the judiciary.
Islam is sacred freedom and the human mind.
One of the students said that Islam is spreading in the world, she asked
researchers about the number of Muslims in the United States. And the
answer is we do not have any information on the number of Muslims in the
United States that requires knowledge of statistical work can not do so only
officials from the State. One of the attendees Asked one of the researchers
their view on the issue of conflict of civilizations and dialogue among
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civilizations. one of The researchers said that civilizations or cultures are
not in conflict, but conflict or war are among the people for personal reasons
or political.
Some attendees said that he agreed with the researchers on the need to
reject violence in all its forms. And the researchers demanded at the end of
the meeting, more textbooks to study the image of Arab and Islamic culture
in textbooks and collaboration with school publishers in order to correct
errors.
Several participants praised the meeting, saying that it is an excellent, as the
Arabic language and Spanish language teacher in the school where the
meeting held demanded for such similar meeting in other States of
America.
Following the first meeting was held another meeting by:
-Prof. Beverly Thurston responsible for teaching history and social sciences,
Virginia
-Prof. Mohamed Hamza, attaché Egyptian Culture and Education bureau.
Washington DC
- Prof. Don Zeigler: Professor at the University in Virginia
- Prof. Mohamed Abu Laylah, Faculty of language and translation, Al
Azhar University.
- Prof. Mostafa Elhalougi, Faculty of language and translation, Al Azhar
University
- Ms. / Patricia Taylor responsible for the international school curricula
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
Mrs. / Beverly Thurston responsible for teaching the subjects of history and
social sciences, Virginia Described the meeting as a great success and
confirmed once again in its E-mail to Dr. Mohammed Hamza, which she
expressed happiness for further cooperation in the future.
The Researchers asked Ms. / Beverly Thurston to deliver this study to
officials of the Ministry of Education in central United States. She said that
she were unable to do so, because of the independence of states and it will
work to correct errors in the state of Virginia. And she gave the researchers
a draft of curriculum which will be applied in the state starting next year and
asked them for their point of view before 20/5/2008.
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Mrs. / Patricia Taylor gave three textbooks to researchers saying that these
books do not exist within the books that have been examined in the study
and
asked
them
for
their
point
of
view.
the researchers, and Prof. Dr. Mohammed Hamza enabled from reading
curriculum and sent some observations that do not diminish at all from
neutral
approach,
such
as:
- Teaching the spread of Islam. The Researchers and Prof. Dr. Muhammad
Hamza suggested that: if the teacher or the book dealt with the subject of
Jihad, it must be defined as in the study :
Jihad means to exert an effort, to combat one’s whims and desires to be a
good citizen whether being in a Muslim country or in non Muslim country.
Jihad means also the right of self defense. A Muslim is not permitted to
threat or terrorize others being Muslim, non-Muslim, individual or a state
- The conflict in the Middle East because of religions differences. Egyptian
side said that there was no dispute between religions or it’s different, but
between peoples and religions exploited by some people for political aims.
- Israel won the war of October 1973. The Egyptian side asked , adding the
viewpoint of both parties: the Arabs triumphed in this war and celebrating
the
Victory
Day
each
year.
-- Egypt earned Suez Canal in 1956. The Egyptian side said : Egypt
nationalized
the
Suez
Canal.
Professor Dr. Maha Kamel Mahmoud graciously thanked Prof. Beverly
Thurston on the good reception of the Egyptian delegation and for its
cooperation in organizing the meeting with the previous observations and
sending an electronic mail before 20/5/2008. Dr. Hamza received a letter
from Mrs. Beverly Thurston on 20/5/2008. Mrs. Beverly Thurston says in
the letter she will take into account all observations.
The researchers found some misconcepts of Islam in the history books
that Mrs. Patricia Taylor gave it to them .
-In the book: Comprehensive volume . World History. 4th Ed. ThomsonWadsworth, 2004 p.186 the reader can find: that Jihad is a war to spread
the Islam.
And the student reads - in the book : Comparative Politics Today. A World
View. 7th ed. Longman 2003, pp 168 and 581 – that
Jihad is a holy war
and it’s a religion obligation against unfair Islamic governments, also to kill
the political leaders. The research pointed out that the Jihad definition in
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Arabic and the types of Jihad in Islam prove the wrong concept of Jihad in
these two books.
The book: Comprehensive volume. World History. 4th edition Ed.
Thomson-Wadsworth,2004, p.184 says:
Islam is the religion of submission . The student understands this definition
negatively but the Muslim is responsible for his actions according to the
verses of Quruan. For example : " read your book yourself, today it is
enough for you the accountability" Sura 17 ayah 14. Islam orders the
Muslim to study and work.
And in the book : Comparative Politics . A World View. 7th ed Longman
2003, the student reads on the page 625 the topic of polygamy, and the
woman in Egypt doesn't work as judge but she does since years ago. The
research has pointed out that the polygamy has conditions and the Quran
urges Muslims to have one wife.
Second Meeting in Columbia , Maryland 12/5/2008
The meeting was organized by the Egyptian Culture and Education bureau,
Washington DC in collaboration with :
- The commission of study of the image of Arabic Islamic culture in school
textbooks all over the world
- Betty McGinnis , President, World Artists Experiences
The meeting was attended by:
Supreet Anand - Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
Textbook Approval Coordinator
Prof. Mohamed Hamza, The Cultural attaché . Egyptian Cultural and
Education Bureau
Prof. Mohamed abou Laylah , AlAzahr University
Prof. Mostafa Elhalougi , Al Azhar University
Susan Spinnato , Maryland State Department of Education
Coordinator of World Languages
Arya Zarrinkelk , Americans for Democracy.
World Understanding coordinator
Marceline White , Executive Director Americans for Democracy
Ted Seymour , Media Specialist Coordinator . Anne Arundel Schools
Claudia Lewis , Teacher, Caroll County
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Rasheeda Hardy , Prince George's County Public Schools. Social Studies
Coordinator
Donna Olszewski , Maryland State Department of Education.
Social Studies Specialist
Razia Kosci , Howard County. Director of Human Resources
Marcie Taylor Thoma , Coordinator, Social Studies . Maryland State
Department of Education
Mai Kim , Coordinator, Social Studies . Montgomery County Schools
Anne Seymour , Interested Teacher
John McGinnis , Maryland State Department of Education & Johns
Hopkins University Student Services
Ms. Betty McGinnis welcomed Dr. Hamza and attendees and praised
cooperation with Egyptian Cultural Office in Washington, and the
importance of the study and introduced the researchers And after giving
thanks from the researchers and presenting the study, the head of the
meeting opened the discussion
Ms. Marcie Taylor- Thomas, the coordinator of social studies in the State of
Maryland, she declared cooperation with The commission of study of the
image of Arabic Islamic culture in school textbooks all over the world in
Egyptian ministry of Higher Education, and discussion with the Board of
Supervisors of the social studies in the State of Maryland and trying to
contact other States. And requested entry to the website www.civiced.org.
The responsible for school textbooks in the State of Maryland as well as Ms.
Betty McGinnis President of
World Artists Experiences welcomed the
cooperation with the Commission of study through coordination with the
Egyptian Cultural Office in Washington DC.
One of the participants in the meeting asked the researchers to give her the
data show in the meeting to project or present it to students in schools. Dr.
Hamza agreed to send the data through Ms. Betty McGinnis . Mr. Arya
Zarrinkelk , Americans for Democracy questioned Prof. Elhalougi : What are the
reasons which made the Commission looking for misconceptions in
American's textbook?. The researchers said that he studied in Egypt, and
continued his postgraduate studies at the University of Sorbonne in Paris,
and for this he feels indebted to the two cultures. And when he noticed that
the image of the Islamic Arab culture in French textbooks is distorted he
decided make a study and submitted it to those responsible for education in
France who cooperated with him and appeared corrections in successive
10
editions. And then we started the study of the textbook in some western
countries . And the researcher has not forgotten his responsible owed to the
image of western culture in Arab textbooks, and he studied the image of
western culture in the Arab textbooks prelude to correct some errors. And
work studies coincided with talk about the clash of civilizations, and we
know that civilizations or cultures are not in conflict, but converge and
enrich each other. And conflicts or wars are between peoples somebody for
personal or political aims. And the response of the questioner: I want to do
something .: How? He was called to deliver the study: The image of ArabMuslim's culture in American school textbooks to those responsible for
education and for school publishing houses in the United States. The
Committee of study in Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education will be
happy to cooperate with him. One of the ladies praised the efforts of the
Committee of study and admonished those present about some activities of
some Islamic schools in Pakistan that distort the image of Islam and
instilling in the mind of pupils spirit of violence. She wondered why
Islamic countries and Al-Azhar do not denounce such acts? Said the
researchers that the Governments of Muslims countries condemn terrorism
and that the president Mobarak was the first to call for holding an
international conference to fight terrorism. And the Al-Azhar gives
scholarships to many students of the Islamic states. And the graduates and
the now students are from around almost one hundred countries who learn
the teaching and principles of Islam, which calls for peace. And the
researches who provided this study are Professors at Al Azhar University
and fulfill their duty to rapprochement and mutual awareness and
cooperation and coexistence in peace together. One participant raised the
topic of the media linking terrorism to Arabs and Muslims and the spread of
Islam by war. It was said that the Western's media is exploiting the actions
of extremist or terrorist belonging to Islam and to make it represent Islam
while this religion like Christianity and Judaism acquit acts of violence. The
religion should not be judged by the actions of some of belonging to that
religion. Western media differentiate between terrorist acts by someone of
other faiths and religions and that this rule does not apply to Islam or
Muslims. The school has to direct the students to read newspaper or to
watch Television news critically and not to believe every thing published.
And researches pointed to the effect of the wrong definition of Jihad and
the need to differentiate between the political events in Islam and the
teachings of Islam which respect the others and freedom of religion and
sanctifies the human mind. And reading Quranic verses which ordered
Muslims to fight others in their contexts , show that this fighting is for self
11
defense only and not spread Islam by war. The debate discussed the need of
Americans students to know the role of Muslim scholars in preventing the
heritage of Greek and Persian cultures and mixed them with Islamic
countries cultures to present the Islamic civilization which represent
important source on Western civilization. At the end of the debate the
president of the meeting requested the researches to give the closing speech
and both of them thanked the organizers and attendees and confirmed that
Islam is a religion of peace and expressed wishes to see a world live in
peace.
Third meeting: at the Egyptian Culture and Education Bureau,
Washington DC, 16-05-2008
It was organized by:
- Egyptian Culture and Education bureau. Washington DC
- The commission of study of the image of Arabic Islamic culture in school
textbooks all over the world
It was attended by:
- Prof. Maha M. Kamel Mahmoud . Deputy Director Egyptian Culture and
Education Bureau. Washington DC.
-H.E. Mr. Ashraf Salama, Consul . Embassy of Egypt . Washington DC
- Prof. Mohamed Hamza, Attaché Egyptian Culture and Education
bureau.
- Prof. Mohamed Abu Laylah, Professor Faculty of Language and
Translation , Al Azhar University.
- Prof. Mostafa Elhalougi, Professor Faculty of Language and
Translation,
Al Azhar University.
- Ms. Betty McGinnis , President, World Artists Experiences.
- Ms. Alice Reilly. K-12 Social Studies Coordinator, Fairfax
County.
-Mr. Russ Phipps, High School Social Studies Specialist, Fairfax County.
-Ms. Susan Orr, Elementary Specialist, Fairfax County.
-Ms. Patricia Winch, Middle School Resources Teacher.
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-Dr. Ayman Nada, member of Scientific Mission, George Washington
University.
-Mr. Eid Mohammed, Assistant Professor Faculty of Languages and
Translation and a member of Scientific Mission, George Washington
University.
Professor Dr. Maha Kamel Mahmud welcomed the attendees and she
indicated the importance of avoiding the mistakes which deform others
culture. Then she gave a speech to the researchers. After the researchers
thanked the organizer and presented their studies. Discussions started by
a question directed from a member of Fairfax County: Why were the
mentioned books in the study chosen while the management in Fair Fax
do not seek the help from any of these books and these books do not
represent all the books used by students and teachers in USA?
The two researchers replied that they acquired these books through the
Culture and Education Bureau in Washington which managed to get them
after corresponding with educational administrations in several states
and that was three years ago. The researchers have no role in selecting
those books. It was noticed that the mistakes which were pointed out are
common in most books which represented the data of the study. A
member of Fairfax County asked the researchers about their impression
about Richmond meeting. Do the responsible accept the study and accept
its implementation? The answer was a positive impression through the
best reception and constructive discussions and emergence of the spirit of
cooperation from both parties. And the giving of the new curriculum
project to the researchers and some school books by the educational
officials at Richmond and waiting their remarks. A member of Fairfax
County added that Fairfax are preparing teachers well informing them of
the right concept about different religions and cultures so that they can be
able to transfer the right information to the students. He indicated that
some educational administrations depend on teachers in acquiring
information from different sources. He asked the researchers to choose a
good book which has no mistakes and present it to the educational
administrations in the United States. The two researchers thanked him for
this confidence and for the good spirit. They pointed out the difficulty of
acquiring such books in the USA. A member of Fairfax County said that
they are in contact with some specialists in Georgetown University in
order to consult them on points which relates to Arabs and Islam. He
13
asked the researchers to pay attention to the necessity of studying school
books which talk about Arabs and Islam in the states of California and
Texas, and also the importance of having contact with officials at the
Middle East Institute in Georgetown university , cooperating with them
and benefiting from their expertise. Dr. Mohamed Hamza said that he
invited them but they apologized for attending because of the exams
while the other two teaching staff was off to Cairo to attend a conference.
A member of Fairfax County asked researchers about a good Islamic
reference book which could be used in order to avoid wrong concepts
which deforms Islam‘s image in American books, and also inquired
about the role of Al Azhar in spreading moderate Islam. The researchers
promised to send some books which are considered Islamic reference
books to this educational administration and also other American
educational administrations through the Egyptian cultural and
educational bureau in Washington DC. About the role of Al Azhar, the
study presented about the image of Arabic and Islamic culture in
American school books were prepared by two Professors from Al Azhar
which has preserved the Islamic heritage through a 1000 years and it
welcomes Muslim students from different countries. Al Azhar now
provides scholarship to students from around 100 countries who come to
Al Azhar because of its good reputation, hope is put on those students in
spreading the right teachings of Islam which preaches tolerance
cooperation and peace between nations.
Fourth meeting held at an Islamic mosque in central
New York, 19-05-2008.
It was organized by:
-The Islamic mosque in central New York.
- the commission of study of the image of Arabic Islamic culture in school
textbooks all over the world.
The meeting was attended by :14
- H.E. Ambassador Sheriff Al Kholy,General consul in New York.
-Ahmed Duweidar Imam of the mosque
-Prof. Mohamed Abu Layla, Faculty of Language and Translation Al
Azhar University.
- Prof. Mustafa El Halougi, Faculty of Language and Translation Al
Azhar University.
-H.E.Consul Mohamed Khalil, New York.
-Mrs. Suzanne Lotfi, Educational administration , New Jersey State.
-Mrs. Basma Hafez Mahmud media Attaché in New York.
-Mr. Ismail Zaza Financial inspector and manager educational
administrations, New York.
-Mr. Yahya Gad Allah Tewil , Voice of arabism magazine.
-Mr. Ahmed Shehata , director of Islamic center in Jersey city.
-Some Arabs and Egyptian community in New York and New Jersey
states.
The Imam of the mosque Mr. Ahmed Duweidar welcomed his
Excellency the Ambassador and the guests and gave chance to
Ambassador Sherif Al Kholy General consul of Egyptian Embassy in
New York and he welcomed the participants in the meeting and he
thanked the efforts exerted by al Al Azhar in serving Islam. The head of
the meeting was the executive chairman of the mosque committee
which greeted his Excellency the Ambassador and the attendees, he gave
a speech to the researchers and after they thanked the organizers of the
meeting and presenting the study the head of the meeting opened the
discussion.
Mrs. Suzanne Lotfy asked the parents to prepare their children to play
the role of Islamic and Arab Ambassadors through their good characters
and behaviors and active participation of parents in meetings organized
by the school for the parents. She pointed out that the system of
education in the United States puts into consideration multiculturalism in
the classrooms and the different educational policies from one state to
15
another. Mr. Ahmed Duweidar pointed out the dangers of ignorance
which is considered to be man’s first enemy and on the importance of
education for the service of the community in which a Muslim lives in.
Mrs. Basma Hafez praised a new article by one of the Americans,
praising the freedom and Islamic Culture in the medieval times when
freedom and culture were unknown in Europe. One of the participants
asked a question about the role of Al Azhar and adoption of Quran
translation together with its explanation to be used as an accredited
reference book benefiting Muslims and students in the United States. One
of the ladies added saying that the Islamic schools are few and some
Muslim students cannot get the right concept about Islam. One of the
participants praised the efforts of the researchers and asked how it can be
activated and how do the education responsible responds in the United
States.
The two researchers said that Al Azhar is publishing several studies
and books and it answers the questions asked and it sends Imams to
different countries. Quran translation has been published in several
languages as it gives scholarship to Muslim students from various
countries.
The two researchers appreciated the welcoming of American officials
about the study which was presented to them in Virginia, Maryland and
Washington and the readiness of those officials in cooperating for the
sake of correcting the mistakes that deforms the image of Islamic culture
to the extent that some American officials in Virginia presented a new
curriculum Project and asked the Egyptian side to express its remarks as
soon as possible, then the American side promised to consider the
remarks. The two researchers asked the guardians to read what is
concerned with the Islamic culture in history books, geography, literature
and Arabic Language and whenever they realize some mistakes they have
to contact the educational responsible in the United States or contact the
Islamic centers which can forward the information to the responsible . At
the end of the meeting, the two researchers welcomed the cooperation of
the Egyptian community who could send them the American school
books especially the history books which provides information in some
pages or chapters about Islamic civilization or about Arab or Muslims,
and that for the sake of studying the Arabic Islamic image in those books
with the intention of correcting and respecting other's culture , religion
and meeting of cultures civilization and living together in peace.
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