Press Release: Civitas Report

AMS UK CONDEMNS DIVISIVE AND DISHONEST ARMCHAIR ANALYSIS THAT ENDANGERS COMMUNITY COHESION. ‘Lying, Slander and other Sins’, just another Denis MacEoin “report”.

The Association of Muslim Schools UK is astonished that another misleading, intolerant and divisive report based on prejudices rather than evidence, 'Music, Chess and Other Sins: Segregation, Integration and Muslim Schools in Britain' has been published by Civitas today.

Contrary to what this report claims, Muslim schools provide an outstanding standard of education for thousands of young children across the country. Ex-pupils of Muslim schools have developed into exemplary citizens and participate in all aspects of civic society. Independent analysis and thorough Ofsted Inspections have demonstrated that academic achievement, behaviour and personal development in Muslim schools as is true of many faith schools is consistently and substantially better than local and national averages. It is this focus on higher standards that has meant that an increasing number of parents choose to enrol their children in a Muslim school.

The report contains rhetoric which is not only inaccurate but also breeds distrust and disharmony and adds nothing positive or constructive to the debate on the future of education or social cohesion in our country. We are particularly disappointed but not surprised that the report has been drafted and edited by individuals who have a track record of producing literature that is divisive, poorly researched and does not stand up to serious independent scrutiny; the authors of the report did not visit a single Muslim school as confirmed by page xiv of the summary.

The leading involvement of individuals who previously contributed to the discredited report ‘Hijacking of British Islam’ which, claimed the BBC’s Newsnight in December 2007, used ‘fabricated evidence’ should ensure that this latest attempt to divide British society is dismissed with equal contempt. Like the DCSF, AMS UK considers it inappropriate to comment on any specific allegations contained in this poorly drafted report as it is not based on any solid evidence collected according to well known and respected research methodology. The Association of Muslim Schools UK and all of its affiliated member schools will continue to work hard with all stakeholders, including the DCSF to provide an outstanding standard of education and contribute to our collective efforts to develop young people who have the qualifications, skills and abilities to play a positive role in society as British citizens.

For any further information or comments please contact Dr Mohamed Mukadam (Chair AMS UK), 07710 251 901