New programme helps teachers address religious radicalisation
Education network Go! Vlaanderen has created a training programme to help Muslim teachers recognise and deal with extremism
‘Us vs them’
The programme was set up by education network Go! Vlaanderen and Inspectie Islam, a body that oversees the teaching of Islam in Flemish schools. It explains how to deal with questions raised by students about the Quran and how to handle signs of radicalisation, without exaggerating or stigmatising.
“We’ve noticed that Muslim teachers are often confronted with signals of radicalisation and extreme attitudes,” says Go! Vlaanderen director Raymonda Verdyck. “Using our pedagogical project and our experience with citizenship, we can work with them in a positive way.”
Radicalisation of school children is of great concern in Belgium, after the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 and Brussels in 2016 revealed extensive networks of extremists. Reaching out to young Muslims is crucial, experts say, in stemming the growth of such extremism.
Flemish education minister Hilde Crevits, who heads up the parliamentary committee on prevention of radicalisation, has spoken out on several occasions about the role educators have to play in recognising and dealing with extremism. Last year, she established a hotline for concerned teachers.
Alternative discourse
According to Go! Vlaanderen, opinions are becoming increasingly extreme and the “other” is no longer a conversation partner but an opponent. “The rise of the ‘us vs them’ mentality threatens the social stability of our society,” says the network.
Teachers from schools in Flanders are invited to join the course, even if they’re not part of the Go! Vlaanderen network. Over the course of two days, teachers will undergo contextual source studies of Islam. This, together with training about active citizenship, will form the basis for what Go! Vlaanderen calls “alternative discourse”.
The rise of ‘us vs them’ mentality threatens the social stability of our society
This alternative discourse – which includes what Go! Vlaanderen describes as “controversial” interpretations of verses from the Quran, as well as questions about conspiracy theories that teachers are confronted with in class – should enable teachers to give a modern context to their teaching.
According to Inspectie Islam advisor Ahmed Azzouz, “it is important that Muslim teachers know how to place their faith in the context of human rights and fundamental rights and freedoms, and to share these competences with their students.”
Azzouz says Inspectie Islam is the perfect partner for Go! Vlaanderen because it has a good rapport with Muslim teachers and knows their needs.
Photo: Bruno Arnold/Belga
