The following article was published in the Passion Islam Magazine Spetember 2009 edition. The article was written for this blog by one of the contributors.
Read the Article ONLINE on pages 24-26. To read the full article by Zaythoun Suleman, please CLICK HERE.
In the last months, there has been an active campaign to mobilise the Rochdale community against new Government plans to introduce compulsory sex education for 5 year old children.
The group “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” has played an active public role in highlighting these proposals and demonstrating exactly how the Muslim Community specifically and the wider community in general will be affected by this.
The group “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” now will be participating in the national consultation process on this issue.
We have gathered over 1000 petition signatures, and have led a Facebook campaign with at the time of writing, galvanised 388 Facebook group members on board, organised Weekly public stalls in busy areas in Rochdale, promoted the issue through a locally created YouTube advert, presented information packs to all Rochdale Mosques, visited churches and opened dialogue with local councillors. Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- Rochdale’s campaign against the introduction of compulsory sex education for 5 year olds stepped into the next phase with the first of its public events.
At Kashmir youth project, Rochdale, over 50 members of the local community, consisting of teachers, Deputy heads, Parents, Primary School Governors, Councillors, Mosque representatives, Youth parliament delegate, local activists and parents gathered together to listen to the key discussions on the pressing issue of governments proposals on sex education for 5 year olds onwards.
After over four weeks of galvanizing support through public stalls in busy areas in Rochdale, an active online campaign through face book, YouTube and a local blog which has grew exponentially over the last weeks, presenting information packs to all Rochdale Mosques, visiting churches, dialoguing with local councillors, the event was held to present the detailed propositions made by the government and its effects it would have on the local community in Rochdale.
Majed Iqbal, organiser of the event introduced the event to a well balanced and mixed audience of Muslims and non-Muslims and a healthy attendance by women. Read the rest of this entry »
Download the Rochdale Campaign leaflet to use for distribution in your local area. You can use it to highlight the concerning nature of the government Proposals on making sex and relationship education statutory for Primary school children.
You can print off the PDF copy and use it at your own stall and encourage people in your local area to join the campaign. The Leaflet contains practical steps that can be taken to make effective change on the issue.
Campaign stalls have been running for 2 weeks highlighting the growing concern on Government plans to introduce Sex Education for 5 year old children.
The slideshow shows the Weekly Saturdays Stall for the SRE Campaign that is growing in support in Rochdale Read the rest of this entry »
(Part of Al-jazeerah publishing)- CAIRO - With the British government planning to offer sex classes in primary schools, a campaign has been launched on the world’s largest social network Facebook to counter the move, reported the Rochdale Observer on Saturday, April 25.
“We believe the teaching of SRE (sex and relationship education) in schools is inappropriate, both in terms of the philosophy which underpins the way it is approached as well as the resources used,” campaigner Majed Iqbal said.
Iqbal, a British Muslim, has launched a Facebook group themed “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” to campaign against plans to introduce sex classes in primary schools.
“There is a misguided belief that children will engage in sexual relations, all of the solutions look at making this behavior ‘safe’ rather than challenging the lack of values which make this behavior acceptable.”
The government has unveiled plans to offer sex classes for pupils as part of efforts to protect children from early pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse. Read the rest of this entry »
CAIRO - “Children do not need information, they need to be taught what is right and wrong,” Iqbal said. With the British government planning to offer sex classes in primary schools, a campaign has been launched on the world’s largest social network Facebook to counter the move, reported the Rochdale Observer on Saturday, April 25.
“We believe the teaching of SRE (sex and relationship education) in schools is inappropriate, both in terms of the philosophy which underpins the way it is approached as well as the resources used,” campaigner Majed Iqbal said.
Iqbal, a British Muslim, has launched a Facebook group themed “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” to campaign against plans to introduce sex classes in primary schools.
“There is a misguided belief that children will engage in sexual relations, all of the solutions look at making this behavior ‘safe’ rather than challenging the lack of values which make this behavior acceptable.” Read the rest of this entry »
The UK Youth Parliament has been a key force behind the introduction of Sex and Relationships Education for Primary Schools. As a body, they firmly believe that learning around this topic for children as young as five years could provide the answers for the serious social problems that Britain is facing today.
Unfortunately, none of the Muslim Representatives of the Youth Parliament have raised any concerns or issues about the proposals. Despite the Youth parliament having 15 Muslim members, with 7 alone in the North West and Yorkshire region, protest against this new project has been absent. Read the rest of this entry »
The following article appeared in the Rochdale Observer Newspaper highlighting the Rochdale Campaign by the Muslim Community on the SRE issue.
A CAMPAIGN has been launched against government plans to introduce sex and relationship education to primary school children as young as five.
Majed Iqbal, a Rochdale Muslim community activist, has set up a Facebook group and created a campaign video, which can be seen on the internet video site YouTube, to challenge the plans and he is urging both Muslim and non-Muslim parents to join.
He believes the onus is on parents to teach children about sex and not teachers.
The department for children, schools and families announced plans last year to make sex education and lessons about the dangers of drugs and alcoholcompulsory in primary and secondary schools under government moves to protect young people from pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse. Read the rest of this entry »
The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper tackling the response of the Muslim Community up and down the country so far on the Sex and relationship education proposals for five year old Primary School Children.
The full article canbe read HERE. Access the Asian Leader Newspaper to read online on the Look Asia Website. Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- Government plans to introduce Sex and relationship education to five year old primary school children have been heavily contested by campaign groups up and down the country by the Muslim community.
Once these studies are in fruition, parents will not have the choice to opt their children out of the lessons which will teach that Gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-sexual relationships are perfectly normal.
The studies were designed with the perceived wisdom that ‘good sex education’ leads to better informed children and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and teenage pregnancies.
The sexualisation of society in the form of media, film, songs and the internet has opened up a new wave of issues for everyone. Britain remains the lead country in Europe with the highest figures of teenage pregnancies whilst number of abortions carried out on girls aged under 18 in Wales was at a five-year high, in new government figures released this week
A recent UNICEF report placed Britain at the bottom of the league of 21 developed countries for children’s well-being. The Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV reported in June 2007 that UK teenagers are facing a “sexual health crisis”, describing the increase in sexually-transmitted infections and high teenage pregnancy rates as “disturbing”. Read the rest of this entry »
A campaign has been launched in Rochdale following a new government project for primary schools which is set to be rolled out later this year.
The controversial Sex and relationships (SRE) studies, aimed to open up the minds of five year old primary school children towards understanding sexual behaviour, orientation and managing relationships is currently in the consultation process but has already sparked debate in many communities across the UK.
Rochdale residents have shown growing concern as many people had not been made aware of these plans for their children’s education.
Further, once in fruition, parents do not have the choice to opt their children out of the lessons.
The studies were designed with the perceived wisdom that ‘good sex education’ leads to better informed children and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), teenage pregnancies.
Britain remains the lead country in Europe with the highest figures of teenage pregnancies whilst number of abortions carried out on girls aged under 18 in Wales was at a five-year high, assembly government figures show.
Majed Iqbal, a Rochdale based blogger and community activist has embarked on a campaign to challenge the SRE project to be taught at primary schools. Read the rest of this entry »
By Zaythoun Suleman- When I was five, all I wanted was to play with my friends and enjoy my childhood under the cloudless skies and fields full of daisies. I was unaware of the dangers and evils of this world and if it was up to me, I would have loved to have it kept that way for as long as possible.
Do our children really need to begin knowing about sex and relationships at 5 years old? Is making them aware of their body parts and sexual acts preparing them to make informed decisions for the future or is the Government opening Pandora’s box even further? A box filled with evil unleashed to plague the innocent mind is surely doing more damage than good.
The evil spreading reminds me of nuclear bombs dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the effect of which is long-term devastation and destruction for many years to come. Instead of equipping them to protect themselves from the monsters of society, Isn’t SRE making them more vulnerable with this knowledge?
Children are an amanah (trust) given to us by Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala; with their minds fresh and like sponges, they absorb information from all around them. They are like a handful of clay that can be moulded to form any shape. It is up to us as parents or carers on how we should mould them.
So how do we as parents reply when our children come and ask us “Mum/Dad where do babies come from?” Read the rest of this entry »
Sign the petition against Sex and relationship Education which as part of new Government plans can be introduced soon to be taught at Primary school to children as young as 5 years old. Show your support to stop this initiative. Sign the Petition by clicking on the link Below.
Join the Campaign and become active in a very important community issue which can affect the future of your children, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters and grand children.
The following article was published on the Asian News Site covering the Rochdale campaign against SRE for 5 year old primary school children.
A MUSLIM community activist is campaigning against government plans to introduce sex and relationship education to primary school children as young as five.
Rochdale blogger, Majed Iqbal set up a Facebook campaign this week and has created a campaign video which can be seen on you tube to challenge the plans and is urging both Muslims and non-Muslim parents to join.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families announced plans last year that sex education and lessons about the dangers of drugs and alcohol will become compulsory in primary and secondary schools under government plans to protect young people from pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse.
Under the proposals, which are unlikely to come into force until next year, children will learn to talk about peer pressure and their feelings, in sex and relationship education (SRE) lessons. They will learn the names of body parts and about animal reproduction. Read the rest of this entry »
The following article was published in the Passion Islam magazine April edition 2009. Passion Islam is an upbeat monthly publication aimed at Muslims going out across the UK.
With 15,000 copies of the magazine being sent out each month to Muslims across various Islamic establishments the magazine is a voice to many Muslims, whether they are students or working or taking time out the magazine is widely read and respected.
Click here to get the Online Magazine Version- Article is on Page 6 Read the rest of this entry »
Join the Facebook Campaign for Rochdale Muslim against SRE by adding yourself onto the group. Keep informed over the developments to be made in Rochdale on this important community agenda.
Participate in the campaign and protect the Islamic social values for your future generation.
If you’re ready for action, then Click Here
Th Rochdale Muslim community is planning to challenge the Sex and Relationship education which is set to be delivered to Primary School children as young as five years old. Watch the Video Advert. Want to join the campaign?
Simply fill in your contact details on the contact tab on the blog and join in a host of activities which include firstly to raise awareness on this issue, get petition signatures, mobilise women to take an added interest in their children’s education and the values departed to them at school, engage with religious institutions like mosques and churches to challenge the social values presented in the studies, attract the online community through a face book campaign and posting video adverts on YouTube and distributing and posting leaflets in English, Urdu and Bangla throughout Rochdale.
The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper drawing attention to a new project on Sex and relationship education (SRE) to be rolled out at primary level and to be taught to 5 year olds.
The full article can be read here. The newspaper can be read online on the Look Asia Website.
By Majed Iqbal- Muslim parents who withdrew their children out of school to prevent them being taught about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender relationships are facing prosecution.
The East London primary, George Tomlinson School, has hit the headlines when around 30 pupils were absent from a week of special lessons to highlight non-heterosexual partnerships.
The row has once again bought the debate forward to the suitability of such explicit subjects, which were once introduced in the late years of High School some years back and are now being exposed and presented to young children at Primary Level.
As part of the ‘learning’ process, students were planned to watch a special adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet retitled Romeo and Julian. Stories covered in the lessons at George Tomlinson School included a fairytale about a prince who turns down three princesses before falling in love with one of their brothers and the tale of Roy and Silo – two male penguins who fall in love. Read the rest of this entry »
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