Job Discussion Forums

[Gordon]

I have been perusing some of the websites of international schools in Qatar and notice that they begin teaching Islam in kindergarten. How common is this in the Gulf states? Is it just Qatar or do you see this in Oman and the UAE as well?

[abufletcher]

If you were to get a job in the capital (i.e. "Muscat") are then your children would almost certainly go to the Royal Flight School which is about a 10 minute drive from SQU. It is a British elementary school with British teachers and your kids are more likely to learn about The Queen than Islam. Our kids had nothing but positive experiences there -- though hearing our American/Mexican children read to us at night about Sally and Rajeev at the pond in their proper British accents was a hoot.

[abufletcher]

The other question would be WHAT exactly they are teaching about Islam. I'd be all for a "world religions" approach but might be put off by formal indoctrination. Personally, I think any child (and any adult) living in the Middle East should have a basic understanding of Islam and its practices. I'm not a religious person but I do think my children should know the stories from the Bible and the general beliefs of Christianity. I was not offended when my daughter was chosen to dress up as a statue of the Virgin Mary at her Mexican catholic school or when my son participated (as the Little Drummer Boy) in the "pastoral" at Christmas time. BTW, the Mexican version of this Xmas classic has children dressed as devils trying to stop the children dressed as shepherds from listening to Gabriel.

Since Moslems consider Christians (and to a somewhat lesser degree Jews) to be "nass al-kitaab" ("People of the Book") it would seem like a good idea for Christian children to have some understanding of the parallels of the Bible in the Koran (and Tora).

[veiledsentiments]

Gordon,

Not having kids myself, I never checked into exactly how these schools work. But, as far as I heard, religion classes are provided in all schools at all levels. But, only Muslim children attended the classes on Islam. I know that in Egypt, the Christian kids attended religious classes too, but on Christianity.

I'm not sure if that is true in the Gulf, but since religion classes are a part of all curriculums in their public schools, I expect that the international schools would have to provide these classes for any local or expat Muslims.

Even at university level there are still required courses. I recall in Oman that my foundations students were taking a comparative religion course. As much as I tried to avoid the discussion of it in class, I answered a question now and again (being their captive Christian) and they were shocked to learn that I had never had a religion class in school.

There is no separation of church(mosque) and state here.

VS

[Gordon]

What would you consider the most conservative country out of Qatar, Oman or UAE? I 'm sure UAE is the most liberal and think Qatar is the most conservative. I was just very surprised to hear that they teach Islam in kindergarten in British int'l schools. I'm not sure if this is the norm or not, that is why I asked. I really don't know to what the extent the teaching of Islam is, whether or not they learn to read arabic from the Koran. I suspect if I ask the school directly they may tell me what I want to hear.

[DesertStar]

Yes, in most Gulf (and other ME) states religion classes are part of the curriculum in all schools, local or private international. It's true that only Muslim children are required to take Isalm. Whether Christian children (or those who adopt another faith) are required to take religion classes varies. In UAE for instance, there's no such requirement for non-Muslim students (though everyone is required to take Arabic classes).

The content of religion classes is almost uniform. Young children are typically taught short verses (sora's) and basic information about the pilars of Islam along with information on the history of Islam and prophet Mohamed. Same exact topics are covered (in more depth) in upper classes. The teaching method is almost uniform as well, pretty monotonous. Of course, critical thinking isn't particularly encouraged when it comes to religious matters. Depending on the individual teacher, the experience can be very boring or very enriching.

If one wants to expose their non-Muslim children to Islam, the best thing to do is to avoid lessons given at their school and instead hire a private instructor. This way you can discuss lesson content with the teacher prior to class. I did glance at some of the books used before, some of the lanauge can be quite strong (punishment, hell, etc.) especially for Western children who haven't had formal religious instruction. In addition, I heard that many of the teachers (who teach Islam) aren't necessarily fluent in English which makes explaining concepts quite challenging and really defeats the purpose.

Religion classes at the university level typically fall under 'general ed' requirement which I think can be more useful to non-Muslim students than lower level classes- but then again it depends!

[abufletcher]

One difference is that most Omanis (with the exception of a small minority of "Luwatis" Shiites in the capital area) belong to the Ibadi sect of Islam -- as opposed to the UAE and Qatar which are either Sunni or Shi'a. The Omani brand of Islam always struck me as a "good solid workin' man's" religion and while Omanis are as devout and any they are devout in the way that good-hearted country-folk are in any country.

[Bindair Dundat]

[Gordon]

[abufletcher]

What's a "modern" way of life if not definited in terms of "western conveniences?" Most Gulf Arabs live a life that would have been unimaginable to their great-grandparents. It is certainly modern in that sense. Is their way of being modern the same as a westerner's way of being modern? That's a very different question.

In terms of governmental/legal issues I'd say that Qatar is closer to the UAE. However, in purely religious terms, I'd suspect they share much in common with other people of the Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia.

One practical measure of "religious conservatism" is the number of fully veiled and gloved female students you'll have. In Saudi such dress is the norm. In Oman there are only a small smattering of girls mostly from urban reactionary families that come veiled and gloved to classes.

The real issue here I suppose, perhaps the heart of your question Gordon, is how with these religious orientations impact on the life of a western expat. In think in that respect, I'd rank things as follows with the highest degree of day-to-day freedom at the top:

1. UAE
2. Qatar/Capital Area of Oman
3. Interior of Oman
4. Saudi Arabia

Our only real experience in this was one time in Oman an Omani man did come up to us in the Seeb market and tell us very politely that Linda's sundress (down to her ankles but with short sleeves) wasn't really appropriate. For the most part a western woman can go anywhere in Oman in a pair of pants/Levis and a loose fitting, long sleeve top.

[Tuttifruitti]

As DesertStar says, Arabic is compulsory for all students now in the UAE, but Islamic studies is only mandatory for muslim students. Most schools offer French or other activities for non muslim students.

Gordon, I remembered this morning when I was reading the paper that you expressed an interest in the Ski Dubai idea a few months ago on another thread. Well, it's here! At the moment, the snow park is the only part that's open, but here's the link to give you an idea!!

http://www.skidubai.ae/index.htm

For the first time in my life I'll be gauranteed a white Christmas!!

[Gordon]

Thanks for the link Tutti fruiti,
Snow in Dubai! The Rockies it ain't. Snow must be a real strange concept for them. Growing up on the West Coast of BC, can't really see the atraction of indoor skiing, but if I was there long enough...

[abufletcher]

I've heard that Arabic doesn't even have a word for snow -- though there is a word for ice ("thelj") that I have heard used for "hail" in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Ice rinks has been around in the Gulf for quite a while and are popular in the summertime -- so I guess with all their money and the fact that Tokyo already does indoor skiing this a natural.

Also many years ago I was walking around downtown Kuwait City and saw a poster in a travel agency advertising "Ski Morocco" -- which at the time I though was crazy. Then I found out that there are some quite nice ski areas in the Atlas mountains. BTW, there is also a beautiful American style university tucked away in the Altas mountains of Morocco.

[DesertStar]

Abufletcher,
Actually there's a word for snow 'jaleed', this refers to ice/snow on the ground. Both 'thelj' and 'jaleed' can be used interchangably in this context. However, as far as I know it would be safe to say that 'jaleed' is exclusive to snow on the ground (e.g., can't say 'a couple of jaleed cubes').

Of couse, that doesn't make skiing natural over here , at least not yet. I admire the effort though, and ski Dubai is awesome, visited last week .

[veiledsentiments]

Hey Desertstar... what air temperature are they keeping it inside this complex? I saw on the website that they rent you all the clothes... ski jacket and all...