Books that backed ISIS taken off school shelf
Literature in library warned against Christians and Jews
AN Islamic school has removed ‘extremist’ books from its library which promoted ISIS and warned against befriending Jews and Christians.
The texts were discovered at Jamia Islamia Birmingham at Fallows Road, Sparkbrook, in June during a visit by Ofsted inspectors who delivered a scathing verdict of the independent boys school. They lowered its rating from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘inadequate’ across the board.
The watchdog’s subsequent report described the nature of the books which they deemed to be “actively undermining fundamental British values”.
It said: “The school library contains books that promote extremist views and support for an Islamic State.
“For example, a series of aims set out in one book includes ‘To help the Taliban government in the accomplishment of enforcement of Shari’ah in Afghanistan’ and ‘To struggle for the creation of Islamic states in which the Islamic canons will enforced practically [sic]’.
“On the front page of this book are the words ‘Don’t make the Jews and the Christians your friends’.
“Other books contain misogynistic messages and condone physical punishment.
“For example, one book states that ‘within limits one may use the cane to the necessary extent’ when punishing a child.”
School leaders claimed they were unaware of the books even though they were stamped with the school’s name, Ofsted said.
But the regulator has now confirmed the books have been removed after publishing their report from a follow-up inspection in November.
They said: “Leaders have been swift to address the previous concerns at the last inspection in relation to inappropriate materials in the school library.
“The library has been thoroughly checked, and all inappropriate material has been removed. Leaders have introduced a library policy which sets out what should and should not be kept in the school library.”
They also confirmed that a programme of pupil events had been planned featuring speakers from different faiths including Hindu and Christian leaders.
The books were not the only major concern highlighted in June.
Ofsted criticised ‘filthy’ and ‘damp’ school premises, the ‘dangerous’ school playground ‘strewn with debris and rodent traps’ and the fact that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were excluded – in breach of the Equality Act – because the school claimed it was ‘unable to cater’ for them.
Further problems highlighted included attendance, behaviour, the ‘narrow’ curriculum, quality of teaching and the fact that pupils were not allowed to leave the buildings during the day and had to sit on the hall floor during lunch without any activities.
But the watchdog identified numerous improvements during the most recent inspection, even though they concluded that Jamia Islamia was still not meeting all of the independent school standards required.
Inspectors noted that the timetable had been changed, subjects on offer had been increased while teachers were receiving extra training.
They also confirmed the premises had been made ‘safe’, pupils were now allowed breaks outside, and attendance and behaviour were better monitored.
Ofsted complimented the ‘positive impact’ made by associate head teacher Monsoor Hussain who was appointed in September to support the school two days a week. But it criticised the fact the school’s improvement appeared to be ‘reliant’ on the part-time help.