After-school lessons in Islam may steal from time to engage with broader society
By John Bynorth, Home Affairs Editor

SCOTLAND'S first Muslim youth development officer has called for changes to the intensive after-school system of teaching school children about Islam, amid fears that it leaves them with little time to integrate with their non-Muslim peers.

Faisal Hussein, 27, last week took up the full-time role with the government-backed Scottish Islamic Foundation (SIF) and his aim is to support and extend the support for young Muslims by working with community groups and mosques.

Hussein will launch a study into the provision of Madressahs - the Islamic voluntary-run education system - after conceding the intensive after-school lessons led by imams at mosques and family homes leave young people with too little time for community activities which are a key part of integration.

Around 10,000 Scottish youngsters are estimated to attend the projects with a further 60,000 in England and Wales, between the ages of five and 16. Community leaders believe the teachings, which involve learning the Koran, help develop children into model citizens while maintaining their religious and cultural heritage.

Hussein said: "We are talking about thousands of kids who are going to the mosque for two or three hours a day to attend Madressah. Young kids are also spending six or seven hours a day in school and by the time they get home often don't have time to become involved in community activities.

"I remember finishing school at 4pm, going to Madressah and returning home to do my homework. After that, there wasn't time to do anything but go to bed. We have to help integrate young people and activities such as playing football with other children helps that process. A lot of my non-Muslim friends did that, but I wasn't able to.

"Madressah is a very important part of a young Muslim's education and the Imams put in a tremendous amount of work to make that happen. But it's important to have a balance (in young peoples' lives)."

Hussein plans to hold discussions with local authorities throughout the country to examine how the system can be improved within the existing Madressah structure.

He revealed that many Imams believe specialist schools should be built for Madressah teachings alongside lessons. However, he added: "We are not saying that is the answer, and that is why it is important we speak to thousands of kids and their families to find out what they think."

In England, Kirklees Council in Yorkshire appointed an official to liaise with around 50 Madrassahs which cater for 8000 children after concerns were raised about child welfare issues.

Hussein will also examine police stop and search procedures after Scotland's recently appointed counter terrorism co-ordinator Allan Burnett pledged to hold focus groups to allow young people to voice concerns.

He said he was left uncomfortable' after being questioned by police at Prestwick Airport when he returned with a friend from a wedding in Sweden.

He added: "We were halfway down the queue as we passed through the terminal. Nobody was stopped and suddenly we - two young Asian guys - were stopped.

"The questions they asked seemed stupid. They included why were you there? Who was with you and why has one of your party not come back with you? The police were friendly and I accepted it as a formality that they had to ask their questions, but it left me cautious about what I said to the police. The tone of questioning can put people into a defensive position and I was scared to ask why they stopped me."

Hussein first became interested in community issues after graduating with a finance degree from Dundee University, when he worked briefly in the wholesale trade. He helped set up the Youth community centre in his home city with little public funding and it now has almost 300 members, including 150 women, from "all backgrounds and languages".