Job Discussion Forums

[fledex]

I played music in the classroom and made games with it. The kids always had fun. They liked Michael Jackson and moon walking. I'd say 90% of Muslims listen to music other than the drumming music. Of course, I never let the administration know what I was doing in the class, and I found the students enjoyed it so they would be discreet. I was never told to stop.

Playing guitar in a hotel lobby actually stirred up the curiosity of some Saudi women guests who came over to chat at night. About the only contact I ever had with Saudi women two years in the kingdom. Don't deny music in the name of cultural sensitivity, that's like tolerating fascism in the name of cultural sensitivity.

[johnslat]

Dear fledex,

Glad to see that you were lucky. But I have known teachers who were reprimanded for using music in the classroom - and this was at what's usually described as a "relatively liberal" institution (the IPA.)

It might be just a little irresponsible of you to advise people to do something that could get them into trouble,

Regards,
John

[fledex]

John,

You are right. Playing music in the classroom could get a teacher into trouble in Saudi Arabia. As always, a teacher has to decide their own convictions and stand by them to the extent of their personal strength in those convictions. For me, denial of music shouldn't be tolerated in the name of Islam, Christianity, Communism, or any other religion. Many people don't find the Hadeeths controlling, and Mysterious is right that the Koran doesn't prohibit listening to music. Mohamed was welcomed to Medina by a chorus of youth. My feeling is that regimes which don't allow their people to enjoy music give these religions a bad name, when it really is just the regime that deserves the bad name. Anyway, you are right that people should know what they are getting into if they decide to play the music.

[johnslat]

Dear fledex,

The problem is that all it takes is one student who's "offended" by the use of music. And in Saudi, that "one student" isn't all that hard to find.

My personal feeling is that before going to another country, teachers should try to find out as much as possible about the customs, traditions, and especially the taboos of that country. If any of the last seem insupportable to teachers, it might be best to give that country a pass. There are a lot of restrictions besides music in the Kingdom, and those who violate such restrictions are taking a risk. As long as they know that and are willing to accept the possible consequences, well, that's their decision.

Lord knows that the fact that alcohol is illegal hasn't stopped too many from producing their own. And, if one is discrete, the chances of running afoul of the law are minimal. However, when violating the restriction involves others (especially Saudis) in matters such as religion, then the risk is increased quite a bit.

I happen to agree with you regarding those who consider music as haraam. However, I also think that when you're in another country as a guest, it's wise to abide by that country's customs, whether one agrees with them or not. I wouldn't use music in a classroom in the Kingdom any more than I'd champion women's rights there - although I also happen to believe strongly that women's rights in the Kingdom need to be championed. However, I think that doing so is up to the citizens of the land, not guest workers.

Regards,
John

[fledex]

I also found myself championing women's rights in the classroom in Saudi when it worked into the curriculum. I think that was better left to the women teachers though.

I never thought of myself as a "guest worker." Thought of myself as a teacher, and with the normal obligation of a teacher to be honest with the students and to challenge their prejudices. If a student objected to music, we would talk about it, look at the Koran, argue about the Hadeeths; and, I would respect the students wishes if they didn't want to hear it, but that only happened once. Actually, it often made for very lively discussions and got students talking who were normally quiet.

I also had occasion to warn the students against the consumption of alcohol or other drugs, as we had some students that came to class stoned.

[johnslat]

Dear fledex,

You must be one very lucky person. In nineteen years there, I knew four teachers who got in deep trouble for "improper discussions" (one was "not renewed") and heard of many more.

A "guest worker" - which term do you not agree with: "guest" or "worker?"

Let's reverse the situation and have a Saudi teacher come to your country and "discuss" in class how very wrong it is that women in your land are shameless hussies who need to be restricted to the home.

But I forgot - you likely have "free speech" in your home country.

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]

[AnneCO]

In new cultures, even when I'm bending over backwards trying to understand and be sensitive, I still stumble into something unknown. This music issue was one of those stumbles.

It seems more important to teach students to think critically and figure the world out in their own way than to champion what your own culture has figured out.

Well you all have been over the top helpful on this one so I'm off to start another topic that I've wondered about. Please come comment on that one too!

[posh]

I begin each and every lesson with AC/DC as it perks them up at 7.30am.

"OK lads, repeat after me ... We're on a highway to hell ..." They love it.

[johnslat]

Dear posh,

Personally, I preferred "Thinderstruck" or George Thorogood and the Destroyers' "Bad to the Bone".

Regards,
John

[cmp45]

Alice Cooper's "School's Out" is one that I'm sure they could all relate to!

[fledex]

Alice Cooper or George Thurogood? I don't think so. I did try a morning raga once to start a class, but they found it boring. "Are you trying to put us to sleep teacher?" Here's another perspective from an Akhi, one of the greatest English songwriters. I like his notion of halal and haram music (art to mimic and promote life): http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/04/201241774025368229.html

[AnneCO]

Thanks Fledex. The article is interesting as well as the comments.

[al-Californian]

[bounce]