Head still gets threats 3 years after Trojan Horse
THE headteacher who stood up to Trojan Horse plotters still receives threats from both Islamists and the far right three years on.
Kamal Hanif, head teacher of Waverley School in Bordesley Green, spoke as the ‘Since 9/11’ charity launched an education pack in Birmingham to help teachers relate the horrific events of September 11, 2001 in the classroom.
Three years ago Mr Hanif was battling the Trojan Horse plot to infiltrate his school and promote hardline Islamist teaching in the classroom.
But he said he still receives cism and abuse online from Islamists and the far right.
“I still get targeted. More from outside the school, and the far right,” said Mr Hanif.
Mr Hanif was joined at the ‘Since 9/11’ launch by television historian and charity patron Simon Schama. Mr Schama said it was important schools did not shy away from 9/11 and the consequences which followed.
The teaching programme traces Islamic terrorism as far back as the First World War and the repercussions today – including the rise of ISIS and the Far Right.
Mr Hanif said: “A lot of people, including young teachers who were critiboth only five or six at the time, have heard only one part of the story of 9/11, including the conspiracy theories, the hate and the prejudice.
“These resources provide the facts and gives the teachers the confidence to manage those difficult discussions around prejudice, race, religion in a safe way.”
Mr Schama said it was important that people, particularly children, were open to different views and interpretations – particularly as the world has become more divided – with both Islamists and the far right capitalising on that polarisation.
He said as a Jewish resident of New York and outspoken critic of President Trump, he has received vicious attacks online including being sent a picture of his head ‘photoshopped’ in a gas oven on Holocaust Memorial Day.
“I used to be very thin skinned, no longer,” he said.
He said he was worried too many people only listened to the views of those they agreed with.
“An indispensable element of supporting our civic free culture is that we listen to people who are not like us and who disagree with us and that we learn to argue with each other without the obligation of killing each other or points towards killing each other.” He added: “The world is dividing very swiftly into people who really ultimately only want to live alongside people who look like them, sound like them, pray like them, eat like them, and those who are prepared to be neighbours.
“But whether we like it or not the world is ever more interconnected ecologically, digitally in every way which really counts.
“We don’t have the luxury, without the danger of incredible friction or conflict, of separating ourselves into mutually fearful, hostile and suspicious groups.”