‘Teachers, not curriculum,’ to blame for extremism

JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said there was absolutely no problem with the Saudi school curriculum. He said some teachers and administrators of both sexes are to blame for promoting extremism among students.

Expressing his views on an MBC talk show, which elicited positive comments from many viewers, he said: “Extremism comes from male and female teachers who impart extremist thoughts to students.
“I was the first to ring the alarm bell during a forum in Asir. The problem is not with our school curriculum but with the attitudes and opinions of some teachers and administrators of both sexes. It is an ideological problem and must be addressed with ideology, culture and seriousness; otherwise we will have terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, Daesh and Boko Haram to deal with.”
Prince Khaled described the Kingdom as an “exceptional homeland” with its own special characteristics.
“Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world with the Qur’an and Sunnah as its constitution. You cannot apply in the Kingdom whatever applies to the outside world,” he said.
On why those teaching Qur’an memorization at the Grand Mosque have to be Saudis, Prince Khaled said: “This is not my decision. The decision was made by the late Crown Prince Naif who ordered that Qur’an memorization societies should stop recruiting non-Saudis and be replaced by Saudis only.”
He said the role of the councils he holds weekly and periodically for the youth and businessmen and for newspaper reporters, preachers and scientists is as important as schools and universities and may have a greater effect because of what one can learn from attending them.
“I thought of holding these councils to attract people. They bring together scientists and wise men and they teach values and principles with moderate approaches,” he said.